What is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans?

It seems to be mentioned in connection with the doctrine of"Baalam" (Numbers 24:14, 25:1, 31:16; 2 Peter 2:15, Jude 11), which is compromise:

v.15: "So" (KJV) or "thus"(NAS)— houtos ουτως—Strong #3779 means "in this way"— "you also have them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans". The word Nicolaitans(#3532) means "of Nicolas". There is a Nicholas mentioned in Acts 6:5 as a proselyte of Antioch; one of the seven chosen to serve Hellenist widows, and Strong's Concordance assumes this apostate group is associated with him by defining him as "a heretic" (#3531) and cross-reference Bibles refer the Acts verse with these two Revelation passages, even though he is never mentioned as starting an apostate group.

It is also suggested that the Greek "niko"(priest) + "laos"(laity), signifies the corrupt hierarchical system that would start to develop.

 

The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans
"Only Believe"

Christ consented to die in the sinner's stead, that man, by a life of obedience, might escape the penalty of the Law of God. His death did not make the Law of God of none effect; it did not slay the law, lessen its claims, or detract from its sacred dignity. The death of Christ proclaimed the justice of his Father's law in punishing the transgressor, in that he consented to suffer the penalty of the law transgressed himself, in order to save fallen man from its curse. The death of God's beloved Son on the cross shows the immutability of the Law of God. His death magnifies the Law and makes it honorable, and gives evidence to man of its changeless character. From his own divine lips are heard the words, "Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." The death of Christ justified the claims of the law.

But the doctrine is now largely taught that the Gospel of Christ has made the Law of God of no effect; that by "believing" we are released from the necessity of being doers of the word. But this is the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which Christ so unsparingly condemned. To the church of Ephesus he says: 'I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil; and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars; and hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.'

Those who are teaching this doctrine to-day have much to say in regard to faith and the righteousness of Christ; but they pervert the truth, and make it serve the cause of error. They declare that we have only to believe on Jesus Christ, and that faith is all-sufficient; that the righteousness of Christ is to be the sinner's credentials; that this imputed righteousness fulfils the law for us, and that we are under no obligation to obey the law of God. This class claim that Christ came to save sinners, and that he has saved them. "I am saved," they will repeat over and over again. But are they saved while transgressing the law of Jehovah?--No; for the garments of Christ's righteousness are not a cloak for iniquity. Such teaching is a gross deception, and Christ becomes to these persons a stumbling-block as he did to the Jews,--to the Jews because they would not receive him as their personal Saviour; to these professed believers in Christ, because they separate Christ and the Law, and regard faith as a substitute for obedience. They separate the Father and the Son, the Saviour of the world. Virtually they teach, both by precept and example, that Christ, by his death, saves men in their transgressions.

It is necessary that every intelligent being shall understand the principles of the law of God. Christ through the apostle James declares, "Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." These words were spoken this side of the death of Christ; therefore the Law was binding upon all at that time. The Saviour raised his voice in protest against those who regard the divine commandments with indifference and carelessness. He said, 'Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." And he also declared, "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in nowise pass from the Law till all be fulfilled.'

Men may talk of freedom, of Gospel liberty. They may assert that they are not in bondage to the Law. But the influence of a Gospel hope will not lead the sinner to look upon the salvation of Christ as a matter of free grace, while he continues to live in transgression of the Law of God. When the light of truth dawns upon his mind, and he fully understands the requirements of God, and realizes the extent of his transgressions, he will reform his ways, become loyal to God through the strength obtained from his Saviour, and lead a new and purer life. 'Whosoever abideth in him,' says John, 'sinneth not; whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.


Claudia

 

One of the prime opponents of early Apostolic Christianity was Gnosticism — a radical belief system that mixed pagan ideas, Greek philosophy, mysticism, and human reasoning with twisted explanations of Scripture.

Although Gnostic­ism faded from view after the second century, many of its subversive and heretical ideas were absorbed into mainstream Christianity.

Gnosticism was taught by the Nicolaitanes. Nicolas the deacon was a Gnostic. It is the same as the New Age Movement today.

They taught that your deeds or your behavior did not matter and that all you had to do was "know God". Thus came the "Only Believe and be saved" false doctrine, leaving out the law of God. Thus Jesus said He "hated the DEEDS of the Nicolaitanes.

This is why John kept repeating the idea that:

1Jn:2:3: And hereby we do know that we KNOW him, if we keep his commandments.

1Jn:2:4: He that saith, I KNOW him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

'Whosoever abideth in him,' says John, 'sinneth not; whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither KNOWN him.

Jesus said the same thing:

Mt:7:23: And then will I profess unto them, I never KNEW you: depart from me, ye that work INIQUITY (sin).

Claudia

 

I know what John was talking about

 

By the way, this is also why we see that John called the Nicolaitanes LIARS...

To the church of Ephesus he says: 'I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil; and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them LIARS..."


Then in 1 John we read what a liar is:

1Jn:2:4: He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a LIAR, and the truth is not in him.


If we claim to know God but at the same time claim we can disregard His Law ... in God's eyes we are LIARS... and thats what John called the Nicolaitanes.


And unfortunately, they will suffer the second death in the lake of fire...

Rv:21:8: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all LIARS, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Because they have LIED about God. They have claimed to know God and speak for God but at the same time they deny God by how they act and what they teach. If they actually knew God they would also know that it is not ok to break His commandments.


2Thes:1:8: In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

Heb:5:9: And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him

Mt:5:17: Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Mt:5:19: Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Claudia

 

Busted!!



Ed

 

Now you have my curiosity -

Is this the guy?

http://www.present-truth.org/Remnant-Prophecy/Library/buried_evidence_5.htm