2 Corinthians 11:13 (KJV)
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
The priesthood of believers is the cure for the Nicolaitan heresy.
Exodus 19:5-6 (KJV)
5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Isaiah 61:6 (KJV)
6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
We are not of the Levitical priesthood, we are now all priests if we are in Christ Jesus. All of us have a priestly ministry, a priestly right to come directly to God. We are benefited to come daily to the throne of grace, and to come boldly for our sins are all paid for, forgiven, washed away.
From the least to the greatest, we are the priests of God.
Hebrews 8:10-11 (KJV)
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
1 Peter 2:5 (KJV)
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
We must abandon those that want to replace our Jesus, seeking to be our lords when they have no authority. Jesus said twice that He hates that teaching. Jesus rebuked the church that tolerated that doctrine.
True pastors, apostles, prophets, teachers, lead by example not by coercion or demand. We are not subject to those who claim great spirituality, or those who seem to guide without fail. No matter how spiritual or how infallible they have been, the
One we follow is far greater than that.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (KJV)
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
The nicolaitan heresy has been called the doctrine of submission, the covering, apostleship, or shepherding.
In many cases they want to be the one determining;
if you want to buy or sell your house,
if you want to buy or sell a car or TV,
if you want to change your job,
if you want to go on a trip,
how long you can stay, and when to be back.
They seek to exercise control over your life.
One is made to submit to these shepherds in all the areas of life that they deem important. To refuse to do so is to be a rebel.
The so called apostle wants to have complete authority over the congregation.
On many occasions these apostles have told others whom to marry, how much and when to give, what books to read.
In some areas, if one is led to the Lord, the one leading them claims to become their mentor, apostle, or shepherd.
Paul refused to take dominion over those to whom he was an apostle.
2 Corinthians 1:24 (KJV)
24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
We should submit ourselves to the authority of God's Word, and speak directly with the Lord Himself. All sermons, all advice, all counseling, all directives from any other source, needs tested by the Word of God and verified, confirmed by the Spirit to our hearts. Realize that you're responsible to Jesus.
Everyone of us must give an account of himself unto God.
Romans 14:12 (KJV)
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Go to the Word, and to Jesus Himself, for your needs, and guidance.
James 1:4-5 (KJV)
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
The priesthood of believers is the cure for the Nicolaitan heresy.
Exodus 19:5-6 (KJV)
5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Isaiah 61:6 (KJV)
6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
We are not of the Levitical priesthood, we are now all priests if we are in Christ Jesus. All of us have a priestly ministry, a priestly right to come directly to God. We are benefited to come daily to the throne of grace, and to come boldly for our sins are all paid for, forgiven, washed away.
From the least to the greatest, we are the priests of God.
Hebrews 8:10-11 (KJV)
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
1 Peter 2:5 (KJV)
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
We must abandon those that want to replace our Jesus, seeking to be our lords when they have no authority. Jesus said twice that He hates that teaching. Jesus rebuked the church that tolerated that doctrine.
True pastors, apostles, prophets, teachers, lead by example not by coercion or demand. We are not subject to those who claim great spirituality, or those who seem to guide without fail. No matter how spiritual or how infallible they have been, the
One we follow is far greater than that.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (KJV)
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
The nicolaitan heresy has been called the doctrine of submission, the covering, apostleship, or shepherding.
In many cases they want to be the one determining;
if you want to buy or sell your house,
if you want to buy or sell a car or TV,
if you want to change your job,
if you want to go on a trip,
how long you can stay, and when to be back.
They seek to exercise control over your life.
One is made to submit to these shepherds in all the areas of life that they deem important. To refuse to do so is to be a rebel.
The so called apostle wants to have complete authority over the congregation.
On many occasions these apostles have told others whom to marry, how much and when to give, what books to read.
In some areas, if one is led to the Lord, the one leading them claims to become their mentor, apostle, or shepherd.
Paul refused to take dominion over those to whom he was an apostle.
2 Corinthians 1:24 (KJV)
24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
We should submit ourselves to the authority of God's Word, and speak directly with the Lord Himself. All sermons, all advice, all counseling, all directives from any other source, needs tested by the Word of God and verified, confirmed by the Spirit to our hearts. Realize that you're responsible to Jesus.
Everyone of us must give an account of himself unto God.
Romans 14:12 (KJV)
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Go to the Word, and to Jesus Himself, for your needs, and guidance.
James 1:4-5 (KJV)
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him.
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