“Nicolaitans” means “Victorious over the people; a follower of Nicolaus, a heretic.” Anyone who uses their leadership position to manipulate others is bumping up against the thing Jesus hates. The Lord wants us to be under His control, no one else’s. But even He doesn’t use such tactics of manipulation. He wants willing obedience, not contrived. Our acceptance was paid for on the cross, therefore we need not be man- pleasers. Jesus rules by example and through serving but Nicolaitans rules through manipulation and control.

Nicolaitan authority is false authority. Therefore a believer is not required to submit to it. In fact he should take dominion over it. Nicolaitan authorities may try to label us as rebels, but Christ must reign supreme, regardless of what others say.

The root of the word Nicolaitans comes from Greek nikao, to conquer or overcome, and laos, which means people and which the word laity comes from. The two words together especially means the destruction of the people and refers to the earliest form of what we call a priestly order or clergy which later on in church history divided people and allowed for leadership other than those led by the spirit of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. A good translation of Nicolaitan would be “those who prevail over the people.” This clerical system later developed into the papal hierarchy of priests and clergy lording over the flock. The Council of Trent stated, “If anyone shall say that there is not in the Catholic Church a hierarchy established by the divine ordination, consisting of bishops, presbyters and ministers, let him be anathema.” This very idea was taken over by the Protestants with their own corruption of church leadership. The Church of Ephesus was commended for hating the deeds of the Nicolaitans. The wrong separation of the clergy from the laity is a great evil in God’s sight and He hates the lust for religious power. There is an ungodly spiritual authority in the Church today, which is nothing more than the prideful spirit of control, manipulation, domination and intimidation and a rebellion of the rightful authority of God.

I’m only going to teach what I see in scripture. I don’t put forth an alternative model of leadership because I think there are several approaches to church leadership that I find acceptable. I don’t want a debate over acceptable approaches to distract from the issue I’m attempting to address.

I believe that all authority has been given to Jesus, and our most reliable way of understanding what His will is, is found in scripture. We can be convinced and convicted all we want about this teaching or that, but it if doesn’t square with scripture it is very likely we are in rebellion to our ultimate authority: God.

Thanks for the material herein presented. But I think it is very important to submit under some spiritual authority. It must not be particular or specific. If your problem is with just one of the reasons for which submitting is taught, it could be expedient to so present the matter in a way that does not completely rule out submission to authority. The truth is that there has been abuse; but that does not make the whole teaching of submission false. A man’s walk with the Lord depends so much on maturity. When someone starts taking some decisions and sealing them in one way or the other, it portrays growth. Believe me, the person to whom I submit as father in the Lord entered a covenant with God that he can never die by motor accident; and as I submit to him, I know I am covered by this covenant. Please let’s teach that some people in authority have abused those who submit to them but I am convicted and convinced that there is less evil if at all in covering theology than is presented by those who teach against it.

May the Lord bless us all to be able to understand His word and His teachings both on issues that are Biblical and on issues that are Scriptural

Problem for me is, not my rebellion issue, but that this church does not make it transparent to members and visitors that it operates with this ‘Spiritual Authority’ concept – to the severe degree it does. All of the ‘leadership’ folks are under it and accept it (and of course, think they have some special annointing)…but the average Joe and Jane Christian attending knows nothing.

I’ve been waiting for 2-3 weeks for couple of the elders I use to know…to respond to me (but they are ‘busy’). My simple question to them? “Did I miss something? I was never told this authoritarian structure was in place to the degree it is”. So far, nothing.

I have a question for you. You said “The word say’s serve and obey your leaders.” Could you point me to the places in the bible where it says this?

Mark