Destructive Divisions in the Church, Part I

This past Sunday night I preached "Two Destructive Divisions in the Church." I feel compelled to share some of those thoughts in this blog project over the next few days. Here is day one.

There have been two very destructive divisions that have occurred within the church in our history and is still showing up in our churches today. The first is the division between the pastor and people, the minister and the members. I don't like the following wording, but some times it is called even between clergy and laity.

In Revelation 2:6 Jesus says "he hates the deeds of the Nicolaitans." In 2:15, "he hates the doctrine of the Nicolaitans." First, this shows the undeniable link between what one believes and how one behaves. Deeds and doctrine are linked.

But who are the Nicolaitans? I like what Dr. W.A. Criswell says that the word comes from two Greek words: Nike - is a winged victory bought at a trophy shop. It represents victory. The other word is Laos - which is people, a group, class who exalts themselves above the people.

Dr. Criswell says that there was a group of church leaders that was beginning to suppress the people in religious ways. He said, "Priest-craft was supplanting the preaching of the Word of God. Ceremonies performed was substituted for the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit."

We know where this was headed in years later when the Roman Catholic church elevated the priests above the people almost to the place of placing them in the role of saviour.

God says, "I hate the doctrine of the Nicolaitans." I believe God hates it when the pastor elevates himself above the people and when there is a division there.

More tomorrow.....