The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans

I found this on www.wordoftruthradio.com, does anyone agree or have anything to add?

Seems like many who profess Christ have taken the anchor that is the Word of God and cast it aside. Very dangerous indeed as this Jesus says:

Rev 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Rev 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
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Nicolaitans: One of the heretical sects that plagued the churches at Ephesus and at Pergamum, and perhaps elsewhere. Irenaeus identifies the Nicolaitans as a Gnostic sect: “John, the disciple of the Lord, preaches this faith (the deity of Christ), and seeks, by the proclamation of the Gospel, to remove that error which by Cerinthus had been disseminated among men, and a long time previously by those termed Nicolaitans, who are an offset of that “knowledge” falsely so called, that he might confound them, and persuade them that there is but one God, who made all things by His Word” (see Irenaeus Against Heresies iii 11. 1; ANF vol. 1, p. 426) There is also historical evidence of a Gnostic sect called Nitolaitans a century or so later.

The doctrine of the Nicolaitans appears to have been a form of antinomianism. (Antinomianism: A belief that is based upon a recognition of the mercy of God as the ground of salvation, but it makes the fatal mistake that man can freely partake in sin because the Law of God is no longer binding. It held the truth on the gratuitous reckoning of righteousness; but supposed that a mere intellectual “belief” in this truth had a saving power. The Apostle James refuted this error in James 2:19 with the admonition, "The devils also believe, and tremble"; reminding us that true faith is an active principle which works by love and it goes beyond a profession of belief. "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:20) The Bible teaches us that salvation is a free gift, based upon God's grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) However, the very next verse tells us that "we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) True faith produce action, as well as a desire for holiness and obedience. (1 John 3:18, Titus 2:11-15, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Revelation 14:12)

Nicolaitans of the 2nd century seem to have continued and extended the views of the 1st century adherents, holding to the freedom of the flesh and sin, and teaching that the deeds of the flesh had no effect upon the health of the soul and consequently no relation to salvation. On the other hand, the Bible teaches that Christians are supposed to "die" to sin and the deeds of our "flesh": "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Romans 6:1-2) "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." (Romans 6:11-13)

Today, the doctrine is now largely taught that the gospel of Christ has made God's law 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 Nicolaitans, which Christ so unsparingly condemned in the book of Revelation. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22)

Hope I did not post this in the wrong place.

I have moved it into the Bible Study forum.

7BC 957
Is it [our sin] the sin of the Nicolaitans, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness (RH June 7, 1887)?

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 Nicolaitans, which Christ so unsparingly condemned (ST Jan. 2, 1912).

Mike...what does "ST Jan. 2, 1912" and "RH June 7, 1887" refer to?

Ren, "ST" means Signs of the Times, and "RH" means Review and Herald. Being periodicals, they'll have dates by them wherever you see them quoted. You'll see abbreviations like that used here often, that refer to EGW's (Ellen G. White's) writings, also known as the SOP (Spirit of Prophecy).

If you see something like {DA 826.2}, that means Desire of Ages, page 826, paragraph 2.

There's a list of abbreviations for her writings at

http://www.whiteestate.org/books/abrevlist.asp

So the doctrine of the Nicolatians has been served up as the main course affectionately known to some as "Once saved Always Saved"?
God Bless,
Will

Gnosticism enters the Early Church


In II Thessalonians Chapter 2 we were warned that there would come a "falling away" in the Church and that this "mystery of iniquity (sin)" was already at work.

Gnosticism appeared in the latter part of the First Century of the Christian Era. Its influence upon New Age thought is undeniable, as New Agers freely admit.The Gnostics tried to interpret Christianity in terms of pagan philosophies, which came from Greek, Egyptian, and Babylonian metaphysics. They took the various teachings from these Occult Mystery Schools, and then attempted to fit the teachings into a new 'Christian' setting, claiming that Gnosticism was the true form of Christianity.

The Gnostics became a sect that claimed to possess a "Secret Knowledge'" that made them superior to the common Christians, who were not privileged to have the same information that they themselves had. They asserted that Christ had allowed them to inherit the Secret Doctrines or esoteric (hidden) teachings of God's Word. And by combining pagan philosophies with the apostolic doctrines of Christianity, Gnosticism became a very strong influence in the ancient Church. But the true Christians labeled it as 'heresy' and fought vigorously against it!

Now these Gnostics claimed that they could know God, yet this so-called "knowing" was not backed up by obedience to God. This war by the true Christians against Gnosticism in the early church can be seen by the words of John. Many Christians in his day claimed to "know" God, but John let them know in no uncertain terms that their claim was false, unless it was backed up by obedience to His commandments! 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.

The false 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 Nicolaitans, which Christ so unsparingly condemned. The Nicolaitans were a Gnostic sect. To the church of Ephesus JOHN said:

"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 Nicolaitans, which I also hate.He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Revelation 2:1-7
The Nicolaitans were a Gnostic sect that plagued the church at Ephesus. The founder was Nicolas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism, one of the seven deacons (Acts 6:5). Adherants to this sect taught that deeds of the flesh do not affect the purity of the soul, and thus have no bearing on salvation. Notice that in I Jn 2:4 John said that those who do not keep the commandments yet claim to "know" God are LIARS and the truth is not in them. Then in Revelation 2:1-7 he commended the church of Ephesus for warring against the Nicolaitans- "and hast found them LIARS". That is because he is talking about the same identical thing... the Gnosticism that had entered into the church... the false teaching of "know God" without proving it by the keeping of the Law of God, the ten commandments!

And so this idea of "all we have to do is believe" and just "know God" had it's origin in the Spiritualistic Gnosticism that had entered into the Early Church! Yet their claim to know God was not backed up by the keeping of His commandments. Thus John repeated several times that if a person really knows God, he will keep His commandments! He even repeated the same thought in Revealtion in regard to the Nicolaitans saying, "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Rev. 2:7


And now, let's see what top New Age Personality, David Spangler has to say about the Law of God:

'The evolution of the race is for man to learn not how to obey the law but how to be the law. There is a vast, vast difference. If you are the law it means that you are at one with the whole. For divine law simply exists. When a person understands this, then he begins to have that attunement, when he is the law, he is not going to act in any way that will disturb or distort the true balance of the true wholeness... The New Age is an age where there is needed that group of people who through attunement can be self-governing, act as the law, as the divine, as the right, as the love.'-David Spangler, 'Relationship and Identity', pg. 89,91,93

As you can see, New Agers see 'keeping-the Law' as doing everything that they can to 'keep in tune with the Great Universal All', and not in keeping God's Ten Commandment Law. They also believe that they themselves are 'The Law'. David Spangler, New Ager, makes it even clearer in this next statement about how he really feels about God's Law:

'We can take all the Scriptures and all the teachings, and all the tablets and all the Laws, and all the marshmallows and have a jolly good bonfire and marshmallow roast, because that's all they are worth. Once you are the law, once you are the truth, you do not need it externally represented for you.' -David Spangler, 'Emergence: Rebirth of the Sacred', Findhorn Publications, pg. 144

Keep in mind, New Ageism is based on Gnosticism/Spiritualism... which was the same thing as the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes... that your good deeds or bad deeds didnt mean anything.
This same doctrine is taught in Christian Churches all over the land but they just put all different "spins" on the same false doctrine. Good works have become an "option" and not a "requirement" according to those who push this doctrine.

--Claudia
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ELLEN WHITE'S COMMENT ON THE DOCTRINE OF THE NICOLATAINES (extended version)

"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.'"

It appears to be what we call teaching of 'Cheap Grace'...

Creflo Dollar and His “praise&worshipping” evangelical counterparts are prime examples of this aspect of the largely accepted, worldwide ecumenical movement .

Here is from the Revelation Prophecy seminars ..."The Nicolaitans, mentioned in these verses, claimed to be Christians but believed obedience to God's law was unnecessary. Jesus used strong language about the Nicolaitans, saying He hated their "works" or lifestyle. Irenaeus, a second-century minister, said they called themselves Christians, but they considered it "a matter of indifference to practice adultery, and to eat things sacrificed to idols." "

This aforementioned group of people cited in Revelation felt that once they accepted Christ, they were spiritually entitled to eternal life. They were misled to believe, that what they did with their bodies had no baring on their salvation. Nicolas the proselyte from Antioch, one of the first deacons ordained (Acts 6:1-6), eventually broke off into a sect and taught this awful error of antinomianism.

Perhaps SDA have, by and large, drifted away from reading the Bible to believing all kinds of weird stuff: stuff such as that.

Jesus Christ Himself says explicitly what was the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. He said, "But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. THUS you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate." Rev. 2:14-15

The Nicolaitans were like Balaam, a type of Judas. They counted themselves to be Christians but, like Balaam, were wordly and held congress with kings insinuating that the church and the world, the pursuit of wealth, were not at variance. Their material progress made it VERY difficult for other Christians who would rather not but were strongly tempted to pursue the same path.

The doctrine was implied by Christ when he asked, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mark 8:36-37 Incidentally, this was the very problem plaguing the Laodiceans; and what did Christ say? "I will vomit you out of my mouth!" Rev. 3:16b

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Interestingly enough, I was in numbers today and reviewed the sad story of Balaam. Jesus referred to Balam actually because he sent midianite women to intice the Israelites at camp to fornicate and adulterate. My context reflects Jesus’ context. Jesus made no implication regarding a reprimand for the desire to gain material wealth. Jesus reprimanded them concerning being holy and good stewards of their bodies. The body is the temple of The Holy Spirit. 1Corinthiams 6:19. God is direct and not wishy washy and wavering like man. You also need to go back and read other contributors’ references. It will give you a clearer understanding of where you have deviated from truth

And a warning James, you must keep scripture in its right context and never let pride have you deviate. Give God glory. Give no room for pride. God is taking account and judgement has begun and will not continue forever, but come to an end. We don’t have time now or ever to play with God and His servants.

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

• Then you did NOT really read it. Here it is again, "you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, WHO TAUGHT BALAK to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. THUS you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate." Rev. 2:14-15
   
• The doctrine of Balaam (i.e. also of the Nicolaitans) was material gain (from the King Balak), in portraying himself as a friend of both the world and the church, by exposing and exploiting the human frailty of the latter. It was a Judas approach to life. People were selling out and others were falling prey to the strong temptation to follow suit.
   
• In fact, Jesus was not speaking about eating and having sex at all, but about this despicable betrayal (this doctrine of materialism), leaving his people extremely vulnerable.
  
  Smyrna was the city that housed the throne of Satan, the home of the church that lost Antipas, who in Jesus' own words, was "MY faithful martyr who was killed among you where Satan dwells." Wasn't Jesus also betrayed for money? Was He not also murdered because of that betrayal for money? Weren't the disciples tempted to follow Judas before Judas was proven to be false?

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I did not read Numbers yesterday. But, I studied it and meditated on words that proceeded from the mourn of God. In my original response, I studied other related scripture and studied church history. Statements made that Jesus didn’t speak of eating things sacrificed to idols and having immoral sex in Rev 2:14-15 is a direct contradiction to God’s holy writ.

The response to my post erroneously attributes something to Smyrna that truthfully pertains to Pergamos instead: “
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein † Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught † Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. “ Rev 2:12-17

So, my advice in this case: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 The Bible is clear and is analogous with otherwise legitimate, historical accounts. It interprets itself and doesn’t need help of others who would misrepresent it and lift up self at the same time.

1. *** Smyrna => Pergamos
    
2. Of course Jesus said, "eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality;" but He also said, "will fight against them with the sword of My mouth." REALLY?!
    
3. The DOCTRINE OF BALAAM (i.e. also of the Nicolaitans) was this: "WHO TAUGHT BALAK (a king) to put a stumbling block before (tempt) Israel..." The Nicolaitans were the part of the church who were holding congress with royalty exposing the human weaknesses of the members. But why would they do that, except for material gain? In Pergamos, Antipas became a martyr; just like Jesus was at the hands of Judas.
    
4. We here in our time and place cannot fully comprehend the situation facing the Pergamos church. The experience was more akin to that of SDA during WW I. The denomination split over loyalty to the Fatherland. Read about the recent apology for yourself 1.

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1 Inter alia: "A hundred years after World War I created a split among German Seventh-day Adventists that remains to this day, the church’s two unions in Germany have apologized for the combative stance taken by CHURCH LEADERS during the war and for their treatment of dissidents who left to create the Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement." -- Adventist Review, MAY 30, 2014.

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There is no need to try to save face by trivializing the plain truth of what Jesus said to the 7 churches. His whole purpose was to be clear in stating who he is, who they were, remind them of His promises, commend their good deeds and warn them to change the bad. Period. They understood and we understand when we rightly divide he word of truth. God is not mocked. God spoke literally when he said, “ Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.“. God speaks and it is so. He does not use carnal weapons like man.” Everyone in Christianson knows this, including those that were in the 7 churches. His word is like a two edged sword. It will accomplish what it is purposes to accomplish and will not return void. They studied this in the book of Isaiah, to which Jesus often referred in his teachings. “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11


DOCTRINE OF BALAAM: “And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit WHOREDOM with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the SACRIFICES of their GODS: and the people did EAT, and BOWED down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against “ Israel. Numbers 25:1-3

Now, YOU are the one turning your head away from the word. It says in plain English, after translation, The DOCTRINE OF BALAAM (i.e. also of the Nicolaitans) was this: "WHO TAUGHT BALAK (a king) to put a stumbling block before (tempt) Israel (the people of God) ..." Revelation 2:14-15

The doctrine is not eating and fornication, but colluding with dignitaries to entice the righteous with offers of worldly things. A good example is suggesting to the CEO to introduce weekend work with double rates of remuneration and then watching to see what Christians would do.

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