Who were the Nicolatians?

Revelation 2:6
6 But you do have this going for you: You hate what the Nicolaitans practice—practices I also hate.
(NET)

Revelation 2:15
15 In the same way, there are also some among you who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans. (NET)

Recently, I have begun to wonder about this group of people Jesus actually uses the word hate with. Growing up in the church I was always taught that they were a group that wanted to dominate the laity and was part of the early church placing the minister in power over the laity. Of course, this was taught from churches that had power structures very similar to that of the one they preached against. This brings me to the question that has been plaguing me the past few days, who were these people and what did they teach?

I first thought the idea I was taught came down from the early church fathers but was shocked to find it came from the work of C.I. Scoffield in the early 20th century. He wrote that the Nicolaitans were the earliest notion of a priestly order or clergy which later divided into the clergy and the laity. This seems like an odd thing to hate as Paul talked about leadership in the church, and its related offices.

Of course, I do understand that abuse of power happens and that for some the idea of ministry is not to shepherd a flock but to be the boss and run the church. Let's be honest there are several denominations that are as political as the world and some of its leaders have agendas that are suspect, but is that what Christ is refferring to?

So I began to dig back into the early church writing seeking clues to this group and their teachings. Some attribute the beginning of this group to the deacon Nicolas from Acts 6:5  a "Gentile convert to Judaism from Antioch." So he was a pagan who became a Jew who then became a Christian.  He had changed his belief structure 3 times and was now serving in leadership. On that point everyone agrees, but then the early writers divide. Some defend Nicolas saying the Nicolaitans falsely connected themselves with him, while others say that he led men to live lives of "unrestrained indulgence."

The truth about this group is easily understood when you look at the complete picture and remove our western mindset and remember the original audience. The early church started out as an offshoot of Judaism, and the majority of the early members were Jews who accepted Christ as the Messiah. The Gentiles (non-Jews) who came from pagan practices, came in with varying customs and ideas that had to be changed in order for them to truly accept Christ. As the church grew, the leadership had to deal with the two groups and establish some sort of baseline of behavior so the church could function. Eventually, they settled on the Gentiles did not have to become Jews to be Christians, but that it would be advisable that they abstain from eating meat sacrificed to idols and fornication.

This would separate them from their pagan roots and help them live lives separated to the Gospel of Christ. This is where the deeds and doctrine of the Nicolaitans begin to take hold. The new converts were told that they could still keep their pagan roots because they really didn't mean anything and still serve Christ. The flesh did not impact the spirit, in reality, they were preaching compromise.

The Nicolaitans created churches that were powerless, and weak, where there was no need for repentance, and sin is winked at as a necessary part of human existence.   I will give you 4 hallmarks of this doctrine as it appears today in our churches. This list is in no way inclusive, but these stand out to me.

1. The need for inclusiveness. Everyone needs to come regardless of their beliefs because there isn't one truth but many. These disregard the teachings of the Bible in favor of large crowds and no conflict with the world.

2. No emphasis on doctrine- They preach a social gospel using the Bible as a reference and book of illustrations and stories. Many believers today do not know the doctrines taught in the Bible as many churches no longer have Sunday School, new convert classes, Bible study that uses the Bible or any medium to teach doctrine. Is it any wonder why so many are easily deceived!

3. There are no absolutes- Truth is relative, there are many right answers. All religions are the same, so why worry about them. This is like saying there are many definitions of a mile when all over the world the accepted measurement has been standardized. There are absolutes and without them, society as a whole will crumble.

4. Everyone gets to go to heaven, regardless of their acceptance of Christ.- This is the doctrine of universalism and it is again rearing its head in the mainstream media. This is in stark contrast to the very words of Christ.

Whether you believe it or not, Jesus is coming back after His bride, the only question is will you be in that group. Repentance is key, it is turning away from your old life and living the new life He gives you through the power of the Spirit. I pray that as you have read my brain musing at 4:40 am in the morning will cause you to think, pray, repent, and walk with Christ in a way that will lead you to His kingdom.

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

For this cause

The Church at Ephesus

Revelation 1:9 20

Revelation Ch 1: 4-8

Revelation 1:1-3

Who Am I?

We are at War Pt 3

We are at War Part 2

We are at War Part 1

Imitating God

What is missing in today's church!

I can hear all the comments you are thinking. Brother power is missing, or holiness, or commitment, or _____________, and on all of those levels you are correct. However, may I interject that perhaps the one thing that is preventing those things is as simple as 1 thing? I have been studying the book of Proverbs and want to share something that I feel is missing not only in the church but in society as a whole. Proverbs 13 starts with the idea that a wise son (child) accepts discipline, but a scoffer does not learn from his errors. 

The first thing that is missing in all areas of society is discipline, not sit in the corner and think about what you have done, but the ability to control one's self and live according to a moral code. As a believer I should DESIRE God's Spirit to teach me through His word, correct when necessary, bless when appropriate, and teach me how to Walk as His child, not after my own flesh. If each believer found this place where we aren't living for ourselves, but living IN Him, how different would the world, the home, our government, and YES even the church be? I wish I could say I walk in this daily, but I can say I am learning to listen and grow, and He is ever ready to teach.

Secondly verse 20 tells us to keep company with others who are walking after wisdom. We should seek others who walk WITH God and have that testimony so we can grow and learn. Unfortunately the world at large glorifies and holds up people who revel in their lack of discipline and brag about being born this way, and I have heard some even say, "God knows I'll sin a little each day", rather than I want to know Him. Paul said "that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;" Philippians 3:10. Notice he doesn't say that I may know about Him, or have some distant idea about who He is, but that I might KNOW HIM! This should be my goal, and the goal of the people I choose to surround myself with as friends. 

Thirdly, verse 24 lets me know that even when God is correcting me, and allowing me to walk through deserts, and valleys, its not to destroy but to help me grow. He desires to teach and give us EVERY opportunity to grow, and lets be honest, trials and valleys grow us more than sunshine and roses. :)So allow those opportunities to help you mature and become ALL God desires you to become, so you can be a light and a blessing to another person. 

Grace and peace be multiplied to you!!!
Eric 

3 Simple Truths

Psalms 117:1-3 “Praise the Lord, all nations;Laud Him, all peoples! For His loving kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!

Three simple verses, yet the truth they communicate is powerful, yet in our world filled with a cacophony of noise and confusion that prevents many people including those who say they are Christians to miss it.

First all people should praise the Lord! In our churches, our homes and our private times we should focus on praising Him. We are always in a hurry at church we zip through worship, rush the preacher so we can get back to our lives, or our homes have everything else going on but no time for praise. Heaven takes time to praise the Lord, creation takes time to praise the Lord and we should too. Slow down, tell your Heavenly Father thank you for all He has already done in and through your life. Be grateful and take the time to actually say it and in some cases sing it!

Secondly, the Psalmist says God’s loving kindness is always focused on His people. Everything God does in our lives including discipline is because He loves us and wants us to be what He has designed and destined us to be. If we haven’t been born again, we will never see that happen, again His love and kindness sent Christ to die on the Cross for us that we might find life and find it abundantly. Our culture can’t distinguish between discipline and punishment. When I was a child and my dad would spank me, (I can see the eye rolls now, you were spanked? Yes I was and looking back I am glad he did.) That being said, as a child I thought I was being punished for whatever rule or expectation I had broken, but looking back I can see he was steering me for my adult life to make better decisions. When I have gotten off the path God has set for me, He sometimes gently other times not, helps get me on the right path. Why does He do this? It’s because He loves me and wants nothing but the best for me here and in eternity. He just loves me and here’s something you need to understand, He loves you too!!!

Lastly the psalmist lays a BIG stone in the foundation of life, God’s truth never changes. In a world where right and wrong are now being redefined and what used to be black is now white and vice versa, we need a sure start to guide our lives by and God’s truth is that star. The enemy has done all he can to get us to redefine words to take the sting out of sin. He did this in the garden and even tried it on Jesus in the wilderness, and he is having a field day with it now. The Bible’s view on so many topics will never change despite what society says or thinks, He loves those held in the bondage of sin, but hates the sin that has marred their lives. Since God’s truth never changes we must focus on them and let them guide our decisions, our lives and the lives of those around us. Proverbs 12:3 tells us the wicked has no firm foundation, but the righteous have firm foundations. That foundation for the believer is Jesus Christ the Word of God made flesh, who gave us the Holy Spirit to keep us on the right track.

So what are we to do? The answer is simple, praise Him, and stand on His truth. The world may rage and get mad, but in the end God is still the victor and we are still more than conquerors. Grace and Peace be multiplied to you. Shalom

Eric

Sitting by the river

This morning in my devotional time, I read the 137th Psalm. This Psalm was written by the Jews living in the Babylonian captivity, far from the temple and home. The Psalm opens with a scene familiar to any one who has lived anytime on this earth.

“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion” (NASB) Have you ever been in a situation that basically you just cried when you remembered the “good times” and now feel as if you are in a captivity of dark depression? To be walking in a deep valley and have the enemy of your soul taunt you to sing the songs of praise now! To remind you of the times you walked in great faith, and joy and felt the favor of Almighty God, only to now be in a place where victory doesn’t seem possible. It is in these “crying times” that we need to change our focus.

Stop focusing on where you have been, or even on all the battles fought won, or lost, and remember where our journey ends. We have so many examples in the Bible but my favorite is the story of Paul and Silas in prison. Talk about a crying time, there to help, cast out one little demon, now you are beaten, and put into a dark prison to await trial. Rather than crying, allowing the enemy to convince them that they are done, defeated, and forgotten, they begin to pray and sing. You know how the story ends with a “jailhouse rock” (forgive me there my Elvis nerdism is showing.) The lesson is to remember our captivity ends, our run on the earth is going to end for the believer with death and graduation to heaven, or rapture. Focus on the joy we have in Christ, for we are more than conquerors, and have the power to walk on top of our enemy.

The next thing to remember is God will turn it around. He has made us great and might promises and He will keep His word. He has defeated the enemy and one day according to the Book of Revelation we will stand, around and cheer as our enemy is bound and cast into torment forever. He will never again trouble God’s people and we shall live in the presence of God forever. If that don’t make you smile then nothing will.

So today take the time to praise God and remember your restoration is coming if you hold on to Christ and the power of Cross. As a friend of mine loves to sing, “Victory is mine, victory today is mine, I told Satan to Get thee behind VICTORY today is mine.” So keep singing. Grace and peace be multiplied to you and may you live today blessed and highly favored.

Eric

What is in your mouth?

Have you ever noticed that what comes out of our mouths determines the looks we carry and get. Negative people tend to look negative, positive people look generally happy, and so on you get the idea. We tend to look at the life of David and focus on he was a man after the heart of God, but have you ever stopped to think about what that may have looked like? Psalms 119:169-176 I believe offers a glimpse and instructions on how we as believers in 2019 become that person. 

First verses 169-170 tells us that David asks for understanding and deliverance ACCORDING TO GOD'S WORD. He isn't asking through a formula, or name it claim it, he simply focuses on the promises of God and asks according to them.  James 4:3 says "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.(NASB)" We ask according to what we want not what God wants for our lives. Asking according to the revealed will of God according to His Word will always have us praying in line with Him and in that we can never go wrong. 

Secondly, David doesn't just pray God's word he sings it. Verses 171-172, David asks to let his lips utter praise and his tongue to sing God's Word. A lot of songs we sing in church as nice and even fun, but not all of them are based on scripture. Some are so neutral they can be sung at Karaoke night and many would never realize they are Christian songs. If we use God's word as our source material for worship, I feel we will always find ourselves standing in His presence. I don't want my worship to trigger a simple visitation of God but a true MANIFESTATION of His presence and power, for that is the only thing that will truly help and change me, and bring others to Him. 

In verse 175 David asks for life for his soul so he can live a life praising God! You may be like me, how do we do that, and he gives us the key in the second part of the verse, he asks God to teach him how. Jesus told us the Holy Spirit would be our teacher, and He is, our problem is we don't really want to learn. He is always talking to us, we generally don't listen because we have allowed to many distractions to enter into our lives.

So today look for ways to just live God's word, sing it, pray it and then listen. You might be surprised and what you hear. Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the mighty and wonderful name of Jesus. 
Shalom!