SEE: THE EVIL "CHURCH"
Why Christ Hated the NICOLAITANS
I have Included the study in a message format for your home Sabbath gathering
A Clergy-Domination System (Hierarchy)
Their name literally means conquering the people—creating a religious class that ruled and controlled the brethren.
This eventually grew into:
- authoritarian bishops
- priestly hierarchy
- church government that lords it over believers
Christ hates this because it destroys the family nature of the congregation.
- “One is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.” (Matt. 23:8)
This hierarchy later paved the way for the fully developed church-state systems in the centuries following.
WHY DID CHRIST HATE THEM?
Christ explicitly says He hates:
- their deeds (Rev. 2:6)
- their doctrine (Rev. 2:15)
Because the Nicolaitans:
* Separated the congregation into rulers vs. ruled
A spiritual class system Christ forbids.
* Their practices destroy love, unity, and holiness
Everything Christ’s body (His Church) is supposed to express.
SUMMARY
The Nicolaitans were a group in the early church promoting a dominating clergy system.
Christ hates their deeds and doctrine because it corrupts true Christianity from the inside—leading believers into a human-rule hierarchy.
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Below is a clear, scripture-based picture of what form the early Christian church took and what governmental structure (if any) it used in the years immediately following Christ’s resurrection.
I’ll show what the Bible actually records, what it does not support, and how the later hierarchical clergy systems slowly emerged.
1. The Early Church Was a Fellowship, Not a Hierarchy
The earliest Church (30–70 AD) operated like:
- A family of believers
- Meeting primarily in homes
- Led by multiple elders (plural) in each congregation
- With no “one-man” rule
- With no clergy/laity distinction
- With no central hierarchical government
This matches Christ’s command:
“One is your Master, even Christ, and ALL YE ARE BRETHREN.”
—Matthew 23:8–10
Christ forbade Gentile-style hierarchical rule:
“The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them… BUT IT SHALL NOT BE SO AMONG YOU.”
—Matthew 20:25–26
The early Church took this literally.
2. Congregations Were Local, Autonomous, and Plural-Elder–Led
House Churches
Romans 16:5
1 Corinthians 16:19
Colossians 4:15
Philemon 2
Most believers met in homes, not official church buildings (none existed until the 200s AD).
Plurality of Elders
Acts 14:23 — Paul “ordained elders (plural) in every church.”
Titus 1:5 — “Appoint elders in every city.”
This means:
- Every local congregation had multiple elders
- Not a single “pastor” ruling the congregation
The word “pastor” (poimēn) appears only once in the NT (Eph. 4:11), and never as an office ruling a church.
3. Apostles Had Authority But Not Governmental Control
Apostles carried spiritual authority because Christ appointed them…
but they did not establish a ruling hierarchy over local congregations.
Evidence:
(A) Apostles did not “rule” congregations
Paul repeatedly pleads, exhorts, beseeches — but does not exercise governmental control.
2 Cor. 1:24
“Not that we have dominion over your faith…”
1 Pet. 5:3 (Peter to elders)
“…neither as being lords over God’s heritage.”
(B) Local congregations made decisions themselves
Example: Discipline case in Corinth (1 Cor. 5; 2 Cor. 2)
- The whole congregation acted
- The decision was local
- Paul did not impose punishment or remove the member himself
The early Church used community discernment, not top-down rule.
4. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) Was Not a Hierarchy
Acts 15 is often misunderstood.
What happened:
- A doctrinal question arose (circumcision)
- Representatives gathered in Jerusalem
- Apostles and elders discussed and reached consensus
- A unified letter was sent
- But no ongoing hierarchical structure was created
There was no standing “central government” or council that ruled all churches.
After Acts 15:
- Paul continued acting independently
- Congregations remained autonomous
- No Jerusalem “headquarters government” ever appears again
Acts 15 was a one-time doctrinal conference, not a structure.
5. Spiritual Gifts, Not Offices, Organized the Early Church
1 Corinthians 12
Romans 12
Ephesians 4
Organization came from Spirit-given functions, not offices:
- apostles
- prophets
- evangelists
- teachers
- elders (overseers)
- those with gifts of service, helps, discernment, etc.
The structure was organic, not hierarchical.
6. When Did Hierarchy Enter?
Not in the apostolic era.
70–150 AD — After the apostles died:
- Single-bishop rule arose (“monarchical bishop”)
- The clergy/laity divide hardened
- Power concentrated in city bishops
- Church offices became titles of authority, not service
250–300 AD
- Roman-style hierarchy fully developed
- Bishops, archbishops, patriarchs
- Clergy separated from the people
- Foundation laid for the Roman Catholic system
This is exactly the Nicolaitan system (Rev. 2:6, 15) — those who dominate the people.
Christ said He hated it — because it replaced the body-of-Christ model with human government.
SUMMARY
What was the governmental system of the early church?
✔ Local congregations meeting in homes
✔ Led by multiple elders (plural)
✔ Deacons serving physical needs
✔ Apostles giving spiritual teaching, not ruling
✔ No single-pastor rule
✔ No hierarchical chain of command
✔ No central headquarters
✔ Decisions often made congregationally
✔ Authority based on spiritual gift, not office
✔ Christ alone was considered the “Head” of every assembly
This model lasted until the second century, when human hierarchy slowly replaced it.
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MESSAGE OUTLINE
“The Form and Government of the Early Christian Church”
(What Christ Established — and What Later Men Changed)
I. INTRODUCTION — WHY THIS MATTERS
- Many churches today claim to follow the “New Testament model.”
- But most follow systems Christ never taught: hierarchy, clergy rule, one-man leadership, and human authority structures.
- The Bible shows a very different picture of the original Church.
Key Passage: Matthew 23:8–10 — “All ye are brethren.”
Purpose:
To show from Scripture what the early church actually looked like and how it was governed, and why Christ rejected hierarchy.
II. CHRIST’S COMMAND: NO GENTILE-STYLE AUTHORITY
A. Christ forbade top-down rule
- Matthew 20:25–26 — “It shall not be so among you.”
- He contrasted:
- Gentile rulers → authority, control, domination
- True disciples → service, mutual brotherhood
B. Christ established only ONE Head
- Colossians 1:18 — “Christ is the Head of the body, the church.”
- No earthly man is the “head” of a congregation or movement.
Point:
The early church was founded on service, not hierarchy.
III. THE EARLY CHURCH MET IN HOMES, NOT CATHEDRALS
A. House churches
- Romans 16:5
- 1 Corinthians 16:19
- Colossians 4:15
- Philemon 2
B. Small, family-style gatherings
- No clergy platform
- No religious bureaucracy
- A fellowship of believers sharing worship, teaching, meals
Point:
The physical form reflected the spiritual structure: simple, relational, family-centered.
IV. CHURCH LEADERSHIP: A PLURALITY OF ELDERS
A. Every congregation had multiple elders
- Acts 14:23 — “Elders (plural) in every church.”
- Titus 1:5 — “Ordain elders in every city.”
B. No “singular pastor” over the church
- The word “pastor” appears only once (Eph. 4:11)
- Never used as a title for a single ruler.
C. Elders were shepherds, not rulers
- 1 Peter 5:2–3 — “Not as lords over God’s heritage.”
Point:
Leadership was shared, humble, and accountable — not centralized in one man.
V. THE ROLE OF APOSTLES: SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY, NOT GOVERNMENT
A. Apostles taught, corrected, planted churches
…but never formed a ruling hierarchy over local congregations.
- 2 Corinthians 1:24 — “Not that we have dominion over your faith.”
- Paul reasoned, persuaded, exhorted — he did not command local government.
B. Local issues handled by local believers
- 1 Corinthians 5 — local congregation disciplined an immoral member.
- Paul did not remove the man himself.
Point:
Apostolic oversight was spiritual, not political.
VI. ACTS 15 — NOT A HIERARCHICAL COUNCIL
A. A doctrinal question arose (circumcision)
B. Elders and apostles discussed together
C. They reached consensus
D. No permanent governing body was formed
After Acts 15:
- Paul evangelizes independently
- Local congregations continue self-governing
- No central “headquarters government” appears in Scripture
Point:
Acts 15 is a doctrinal conference, not a model for ongoing hierarchy.
VII. GOVERNMENT BY GIFTS, NOT OFFICES
A. Spiritual gifts organized the Body
- 1 Corinthians 12
- Romans 12:4–8
- Ephesians 4:11–16
B. The Spirit, not office, directed the work
- Prophets prophesied
- Teachers taught
- Elders shepherded
- Deacons served physical needs
Point:
Organization was organic, distributed, and Spirit-led.
VIII. THE COMING OF THE NICOLAITAN SYSTEM
A. After the apostles died (70–150 AD)
- Single-bishop rule emerged
- Clergy/laity divide hardened
- Authority centralized
B. Christ warned against this spirit
- Revelation 2:6, 2:15 — “The deeds and doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I hate.”
C. Why Christ hated it
- It conquered the people
- It replaced brotherhood with control
- It built human authority over the flock
Point:
Hierarchy is the enemy of the apostolic model.
IX. THE CHURCH CHRIST BUILT — SUMMARY
The early church was:
✔ Meeting in homes
✔ Simple and relational
✔ Led by multiple elders
✔ Assisted by deacons
✔ Guided by apostles and prophets (spiritually, not governmentally)
✔ Self-governing locally
✔ United through doctrine, not human chains of command
✔ Opposed to clergy domination
✔ Under one Head only — Christ
This is the model we are called to restore.
X. APPLICATION — WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US?
1. Christ must remain the only Head of our fellowship.
No pastor or leader takes His place.
2. We must reject hierarchical rule.
Christ hates it.
3. We must build congregations like the early Church:
- Family-style
- Plural-elder leadership
- Shared responsibility
- Holy living
- Brotherly love
4. True government is the government of God:
- In the heart
- Through the Spirit
- Through the law of love
XI. CONCLUSION
The early Church was powerful because it was simple, Spirit-led, and built on brotherhood rather than hierarchy.
Let us seek to reflect that same structure and spirit today:
“All of you are brethren.” — Matthew 23:8
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Here is a clear bullet-point summary of the early Christian church’s form and government:
Early Christian Church — Bullet-Point Summary
1. Christ Forbade Hierarchical Rule
- Matthew 20:25–26 — “It shall NOT be so among you.”
- Christ rejected Gentile-style authority systems.
- Only one Head: Christ (Col. 1:18).
2. The Church Met in Homes
- Romans 16:5; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:15.
- Small, family-like fellowships.
- No church buildings for the first 200+ years.
3. Leadership Was by a Plurality of Elders
- Acts 14:23 — elders (plural) in every church.
- Titus 1:5 — appoint elders in every city.
- No single-ruler “pastor.”
- Elders shepherded, not ruled (1 Pet. 5:2–3).
4. Apostles Had Spiritual, Not Governmental, Authority
- 2 Cor. 1:24 — “Not that we have dominion over your faith.”
- Their role: teach, exhort, plant churches, correct doctrine.
- Local issues handled locally (1 Cor. 5).
5. Acts 15 Was Not a Hierarchical Governing Body
- A one-time doctrinal meeting on circumcision.
- Apostles and elders discussed together.
- Afterward: no central authority structure.
6. Church Life Organized by Spiritual Gifts
- 1 Cor. 12; Rom. 12; Eph. 4.
- Gifts determined function, not rank.
- Organic, Spirit-led service model.
7. No Clergy/Laity Divide
- “All ye are brethren” (Matt. 23:8).
- Ministry gifts served the body; they didn’t rule it.
- Every believer participated.
8. After the Apostles’ Death: Hierarchy Slowly Entered
- Emergence of single-bishop rule (100–150 AD).
- Increasing separation of clergy vs. people.
- By 200–300 AD, hierarchical systems dominated.
9. Christ Hated the Nicolaitan System
- Rev. 2:6, 2:15.
- “Nicolaitan” = conquer/dominate the people.
- Christ rejected systems that exalt rulers over the brethren.
10. Summary of the Biblical Model
- Home fellowships
- Plurality of elders
- Deacons serving physical needs
- Local autonomy
- Spirit-led functions
- No headquarters
- No hierarchy
- Christ alone as Head
- All believers equal before God
We should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
to the idea that the core teachings and truths of the Christian faith were given definitively and completely to the believers.
We must preserve and defend these teachings against any alterations or false interpretations.
SEE: THE EVIL "CHURCH"
