The Nicolaitane (CLERGY-Laity) Error Jesus Hates (was not Santa Claus)

Overcoming The End-Time Nicolaitanes

-by Rory Moore

"neither as lords over God's heritage" -1Peter 3
The time has arrived in saving people from the CLERGY over the LAITY Church SYSTEM.

Disclaimer: 
At times it may sound as if I am anti-pastor. This is not so. We love the pastors whom God has graciously put in our lives. The truth is aimed at the harlot system and her institutions,
and NOT at any individual that is trapped by the error of the Nicolaitanes.

• "But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitanes".
  VERY few Christians "hate" this, and if one cannot recognize the Nicolaitane error then one cannot "hate it"  (i.e., despise it).
• We do not "hate" the people snared in the Nicolaitane error. Jesus calls us to love when disagree. 

Revelation 2: (To the church at Ephesus)
6   But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate;
15 So you also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes,     which I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come to you quickly, and will fight against them (the Nicolaitanes) with the sword of my mouth.

You cannot repent of this unless you know what it is and why Jesus hates it!

Here is truth:
Christ detests the formal, organized  (usually 501c3 incorporated) church government found in almost every church and denomination.  The Clergy over laity churches because it puts man in the place of God.

"Nicolaitane" is from two Greek words "Nike" and "Laos"

The Greek word "nike" means "to conquer"…to dominate, intimidate, CONTROL, rule over, even to manipulate.

It means exercising carnal control. It means ruling by position, dominion, subjugation, and taking authority by these means. 

The word "laos" means "the people", that is, the laity.
Hence,  "nike-laity", i.e. "Nico-laitane" error.

Thus we have by definition the deeds and teaching of those who conquer, dominate, manipulate, and "lead" the laity, or the people.

Why does Jesus "HATE" their deeds and doctrines?

Simply put, it is because it puts men in the place of God, seating them in the temple of God.
-whether they be called the church board, Elder, Senior Pastor, priest, Pope, Bishop, or some other ecclesiastical title.

 And it virtually guarantees the majority of God's people never mature into faith and their own ministry as Jesus.

Denominational, factious, competitive Christianity has given the church a hierarchical, professionalized, titled, system of church clergy organizing offering "strange fire". 

Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them.

·     

o   WHY is no Senior Pastor, Youth Leader, Choir Director, pope, cardinal, Archbishop, priest, monsignor, or denominational structure found in scripture?

o   WHY no scripture giving any Pastor-Priest sole ruler-ship, headship, or sole authority over an assembly of God's people?

o   WHY were no formal titles or labels attached to any New Testament disciples including the obvious ones like the apostles?

o   WHY are no church boards, assistant pastors, co-pastors, associate pastors, or senior church officials in scripture?

The simple truth is because Jesus taught His disciples not to do those things.

Overcoming the Nicolaitane error and deeds

In Revelation 2, the people of God who have eyes and ears to overcome are told:
15-17: So have you also some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner.
 Repent therefore;
or else I come to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.
 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
 To him that overcomes will I give of *the hidden manna....

Serious words I never heard in church, never discussed or considered. Mysterious.
Yet strong admonitions are given in scripture in regard to what Jesus said was the relationship among the brethren and how actual church should function (like family and not am institution).

What Peter said in 1Peter 5:

1 The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

2 Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

3 neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.

In this passage, note elderS (plural) are among us, Peter includes himself as an elder, and no mention of "pastors".

Why not?
Connect the dots friends.
-God gave a five headship ministries to oversee and serve God's people. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers, pastors. Co-equal brethren, elders, men. (my post regarding qualifications to oversee)

-neither ...  means  "  not even, no, not once".

-as lording: means: "to lord against, that is, control, subjugate: - exercise dominion over (lordship), be lord over, overcome."

Yet this is exactly what the Nicolaitane error does and Peter said not even once was the flock to be carnally subjugated, controlled, or have someone exercise dominion over.

As the Christian sees the truth of scripture, he will need to simply repent and realign his thinking in terms of what the New Testament ministry truly is, not from what we have seen all around us.

1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ;

The ministry is given to serve, edify, and steward the faith. Those who minister are to comfort, correct, and contend for the faith.
The faith they are to contend for is THE faith as it is written (not the fragmented, conflicted, sectarian mish-mash of faith found in the church world).

Friends, Jesus gave, taught, and lived THE faith to His disciples, who in turn gave the same gospel and the same faith to the churches they established. 

Many pastors compare their ministry to Moses who led the people of God to the "Promised Land" with the idea that there must be a leader-centered administration of a church body.
But that is not a model found in the New Testament because we have Christ and the Holy Spirit given to direct an assembly if they are Spirit-filled and Spirit led. Most churches simply fall back into the traditions of men in their structure.

And the 501c3 Incorporation so common to church groups legally places Caesar above Christ.

You see, when the Nicolaitanes imposed their error and deeds upon the church, the pastor-priest became the preeminent personage.
T'was never meant to be and there is not one positive New Testament example of that.

Who gave the pastor-priest preeminence over the rest of the five-fold ministry and the false hierarchial system of "accountability"?

It was the work of the Nicolaitane clergy. 
As many of us finally realize, this is the most common form of church government around us. .

How do you "overcome" the clergy-laity Nicolaitanes?

Love them but Renounce and resign from all official memberships.
Ask God to take their error and deeds out of your heart.
Then pray to assemble with others.

If these steps are not done, or the deeds and error of the Nicolaitanes not spoken out in the church, then excuses, justifications, and having faith with "respect of persons" (see James 2:1) will keep you within the body of the harlot church system.  -and the cycle of church to church will continue.

James 2:1 NCV

My dear brothers and sisters, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ,
never think some people are more important than others.

*the hidden manna....: is the Truth revealed by the Holy Spirit. The "hidden manna" revelation of what the Nicolaitane deeds and error in this post was revealed to me by the Holy Spirit.

My prayer is others will see this and take it to heart. People will rise or fall with the Clergy church system. They will  walk in Light or darkness, be deceived or be delivered. 


Study References:
James 2:1
Matthew 23
Matthew 20: 21-27
1 Peter 5:1-5
Revelation 2:1-20
Acts 20:17-35

What Jesus Taught a Minister Is

Jesus taught us what a minister is.






You do not know many of them, and chances are the hired pastor or priest is a far cry from what Jesus taught a minister to the church was to be.
- He was not to be a hired, Titled, administrator with an organizational flow chart, himself at the top, served by Assistant pastors, Associate pastors, deacons, Elders, Church Boards, and the recipient of tithes, a salary, parsonage, benefits, etc.
- He was never to be a CEO of a business recognized by the State as a "non-profit" organization.

What follows is a shocking breakdown of what Jesus taught His disciples as it related to position and authority in God's kingdom.

Mark 10:42:  (ASV)
42 And Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they who are accounted
        to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great ones exercise authority over them.

Three words in that verse are worth examining as to what the church is NOT to imitate:
rule        757     a primary verb; to be first   (in political rank or power): - reign (rule) over.
lord        2634    to lord against, that is control, to subjugate: - exercise dominion over (lordship)
                                  be lord over, overcome.
authority 2715   to have (wield) full privilege over: - exercise authority.

He described first how the world exercises authority, and next He instructs the apostles who would bring us the Christian Covenant: 
43 But it is not so among you: whosoever would become great among you, shall be your minister;
44 and whosoever would be first among you, shall be ***servant of all.

Let's see if Jesus minces words here, and define those terms:
*     "NOT":    3756    absolutely negative; no, not: neither, never, none, nothing special
**   "MINISTER":      1249 diakonos:  to run on errands; an attendant, that is, as a waiter (at table or other menial duties); a Christian teacher and pastor (technically a deacon or deaconess): - deacon, minister, servant.
***  "SERVANT":     1401 doulos:   a slave (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily; frequently therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency): - bond (-man), servant.

Matthew 20:25 Jesus called them to him, and said, Ye know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over  them,  and their great ones exercise authority over them.
26 Not so shall it be among you:  but whosoever would become great among you shall be your minister;
            "not so among you":    the absolutely negative, no or not: neither, never, none,  nothing, + special,
27 and whosoever would be * first among you  shall be your   **servant: 
     *first:   4413: protos,  foremost (in time, place, order or importance): -before, beginning, best, chief first (of all), former.
** servant:  a slave   (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily;   frequently therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency): - bond -man, servant.

28 even as (just like)  the Son of man came not to be ministered unto,
        but to minister, and to give his life  (to "give", not sell or exchange for a price) "their  "GREAT ones": 
Strong's definition, 3173, Megas (it is where we get "MEGA")
Definition:
great,  the external form or appearance of things (or of persons) of number and quantity: numerous, large, abundant 
of age: the elder  violent, mighty, strong,  ==> predicated of rank,
as belonging to persons, eminent for ability, virtue, authority, power 
things esteemed highly for their importance: of great moment, of great weight, importance 

a thing to be highly esteemed for its excellence: excellentof God's preeminent blessings 
of things which overstep the province of a created being, proud (presumptuous) things, full of arrogance, derogatory to the majesty of God

Used in King James- Total: 195: as great 150, loud 33, miscellaneous 12
Now shake off the notion of a man with a Title behind the pulpit ruling and exercising power and authority over God's people, and farming them for personal gain and support.  Read again what Jesus taught and let us wake up to the fact that the modern clergy system does exactly the opposite of what Jesus taught. The "system" does what He "hates" in Revelation 2:6 and 15..

Jesus did not promote His Ministry, build cathedrals, raise funds, sell religious trinkets or " God-stuff"...
No bake sales, he did not develop a staff, hire bodyguards, preach for pay..., give flowery homage to the leaders of Denominational Judaism, He did *not* minister for tithes or accolades... He did not wear Italian suits or Papal robes...
Chances are you have not seen many, if any, who are really like Him. 

Obey Him or THEM that have the rule? A closer look.

Heb 13:17
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you.

This is one of the most abused New Testament verses in scripture.
Let's take a closer look at what it says... I ask you to read and be patient, this more than likely has some precepts never heard of or seen by most Christians. 

"Obey THEM", "submit to THEM", "THEY watch for your souls",  "THEY shall give account", "THEY may do it with joy".....


1 . notice:  the plural, and also that it does not say "obey the pastor".
     Do you see the words "them, they, they, they"?

Why is it plural? 
Can we find ANY scripture for one man in sole authority over a church?  Well, sort of, but in a negative way. 
3John mentions "Diotrephes who loves to have the PRE-EMMINENCE" and refused the apostles. He was one who loved the position and control of an assembly.

Now see what the church in Acts established for overseers of the churches they planted

Here is what the early church established for the "local" assemblies:
(notice:  there is no "church Board" "General Board", "Arch-bishops", or other spurious and man made "offices".)


Acts 14:23 And when they had appointed for them elders in every church,
                     and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord.... 
                     Where is a Titled pastor appointed?
Titus 1:5    For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest
                   set in order the things that are wanting, and
                   ordain elders in every city,  as I had appointed thee: 
                   They ordained "elders", not titled "pastors".
 Acts 15:6   And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this
                     matter.    (where were the pastors at this "conference"?)
Acts 20:17 And from Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church.    (why didn't he say "pastors"???)

Church Government in Acts.

 Acts 15:2 ... Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto
                       the apostles and elders about this question.
 Acts 15:4 ... they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders,
                        and they declared all things that God had done with them.
 Acts 15:6      And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
                       (Notice: it does not say apostles and pastors..)  Acts 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church,
                     ...chief men among the brethren:
 Acts 15:23 ... The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto
                         the brethren of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
 Acts 16:4 ...they delivered them the decrees for to keep,
                     that were ordained of the apostles and elders  (plural) 
                     which were at Jerusalem.
 Acts 20:28  "feed the flock of God over which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers"  (plural)

1Tim 5:17   Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labour in the word
                     and doctrine.   (plural-plural)
Titus 1:5  .. that you should set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders  (PLURAL) in every city, as I had appointed you to do: 
-Paul commanded, "elders in >>every<< city",  i.e. with no mention of titled Pastors or a "Senior Pastor". You may see that this instruction is reflected in Paul and the Ephesian elders in Acts 20, and by the church epistles, because there are no specialized "Senior Pastors", Chief Rulers, Priests, Popes, Bishops, or the like even mentioned once as a Titled church official. (Except Diotrephes in 3John as a negative.

"elder Peter" , an apostle wrote in 1Peter 5:1
      The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder (Peter),
     and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory......
2   Tend the flock of God which is among you (not under you), exercising the oversight, not by force (i.e. not because it is your job obligation),
     but willingly, according to the will of God; not for filthy lucre (not as a hierling) , but of a ready mind;
3   neither as lording it over the stewardship allotted to you, but making yourselves examples to
     the flock. ("lording" means to subjugate, dominate, overcome)

The church/ pastor/ priest/ board/ elders/ bishop/ district/ denomination is not right when they are wrong, but if you have One Man, or one family "running" the local church, the door to error, sin, abuse, manipulation, and plundering of the sheep is wide open.

Having "the rule" over you does NOT give them authority to tell you where you can go, who you should marry, pay them an unscriptural tithe, what kind of clothes you can wear, or anything that "goes beyond that which is written" as Paul commanded. (1Cor 4:6), "less one become puffed up against the other". 

If the pastor was to be the head of a church, then why is the word pastor never used in the epistles to the churches?  "Pastors" and shepherd's are used once with warning in terms of those who "feed themselves" and run after a ministry for hire and reward.
11 For they (shepherds) have gone in the way of Cain and have run greedily after the error of Balaam for their reward ...
12 These are spots on your feasts of charity when they feast with you,
     feeding themselves without fear.
     

Notice in 1Corinthians 12:28
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues.

29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 

And Ephesians  4:11 is the single reference to "pastors" in the New Testament. 

Have we "puffed up" the office of the pastor? Many churches turned him into either a king, or God's primary way to speak to us.

But  the church is to have only ONE Head. His name is Pastor Jesus.1Corinthians 11:3
 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ;   and the head of the woman is the man;   and the head of Christ is God.


That is God's order and if a pastor takes headship-authority over an assembly, he is in danger of usurping God's authority, and many people will make an idol of him.

Which is also a good reason for following Jesus' instruction not to take titles and the "high seats" in the synagogues (churches).
-as it is written and may now make sense to you.
Mat. 23: 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your teacher, and all ye are brethren.
              9 And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, even he who is in
                  heaven.
             10  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your master, even the Christ.

What about "the office of a bishop"?
1st Timothy 3:1  Faithful is the saying, If a man seeks the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.


The "office of a bishop" is one word in the Greek, and simply means "overseer".
   it is defined as:
investigation, inspection, visitation,
that act by which God looks into and searches out the ways, deeds character, of men,
 in order to adjudge them their lot accordingly, whether joyous or sad.
oversight.  overseership, office, charge, the office of an elder .

In Hebrews 13:17, to  "obey" from the Greek, Strongs *3982 means :
   to arrange under, to subordinate, to subject, put in subjection, to subject one's self,
   obey to submit to one's control, to yield to one's admonition or advice, be subject.

We are to obey the scripture, and if a man goes "beyond that which is written", we are under no obligation to do what he orders. And if a man or woman goes beyond what is written, he or she is in danger of being in rebellion for corrupting the Word of God.
"Obey THEM", "submit to THEM", "THEY watch for your souls", "THEY shall give account", "THEY may do it with joy"..

Is it coincidence there are 5 plural nouns in the above verse?

Who are the "they" in the church of scripture?

Some call it the five gifts of ministry oversight that God freely gave His people, in Ephesians 4:11.
And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12  for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:

NONE of those "gifts" is given superiority over the other. They together form the "overseers" and "elders" that have "the rule over you".

The reason that many suffer, have been abused, discouraged, hurt, robbed,
and mis-led is because of many that have perverted Hebrews 13:17 into a "pastor-rules" one-man-show. 

This is the "Nicolaitane error" and "deeds" that Jesus said he "hates" in Revelation chapter 2, and pray for us elders as pastors that we do not become "lords over God's heritage" as we feed the flock.

As an elder in the body of Christ, I personally do not care to be called by any title, including "Elder".  "for ye are brethren" as Jesus said. 

Loren Adkins stated:

What I find funny is the translators used the harshest wording here. -Using the word obey over other words that could have been used. I might not think to harsh about this had I not looked at other passages that use the word obey , such as “Children obey you parents”

Eph 6:1 Children, obey G5219 your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

*G5219  hupakouō: to hear (as a subordinate), to listen attentively; by implication to heed or conform to a command or authority: - hearken, be obedient to, obey.

                       These are two entirely different Greek words and meanings.

To further run this thought out I cannot find any passage of scripture where God directly commands his children at any point to follow a man. He gives and calls men to lead, but he does not command those even to dictate over his children.

Having come across the the definition of the word persuade in Heb 13, I realized I could not be in rebellion if I was not persuaded of something.

Therefore the teaching that so many preachers used that if I did not obey them I was in rebellion; and God hated rebellion, so I was hell bent. It did not apply to me or any one else for that matter as one could not be in rebellion to something they did not agree with.
What really bothers me is this idea built upon this verse (from my view anyway) that we must all be accountable to someone higher, ie saints, teachers, pastors and so on.
Paul teaches us in Ephesians God's plan for his kingdom and the accountability we are to have is to him.
Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
As we read this chapter nowhere does Paul teach we are to be accountable to anyone other than him.

Using Hebrews 13:17 as a rod to keep subjects in line is completely adding to the word of God.  -LA

Summary:

Again, the Greek word harshly translated into "obey" by the KJV, is:

G3982 πείθω peithō pi'-tho
A primary verb; to convince (by argument, true or false);
by analogy to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty): - agree, assure, believe, have confidence, be (wax) content, make friend, obey, persuade, trust, yield.

Again, compare that to "children obey your parents...
*G5219  hupakouō: to hear (as a subordinate), to listen attentively; by implication to heed or conform to a command or authority: - hearken, be obedient to, obey.

We are not trying to offend pastors or church leaders, but those that are usurping command and control over others in the name of God do so at great harm to others (church abuse), and themselves.

This is the truth of God's Word and each of us is called to humble ourselves to it...It is not the way of the man made church organizations but it is what Jesus and His apostles taught.

Who is Qualified to Oversee A Church according to GOD?

Who is Qualified to Oversee A Church according to GOD?

1st Timothy 3:1 Faithful is the saying, If a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.

A "bishop" is defined by the scriptures as an "overseer", and is one who watches over the "called out ones".

But the modern church has perverted the term "bishop" into a titled "Bishop" position in an ecclesiastical structure unknown in scripture.
We will see the apostles never ordained solo pastors or a priest over the churches.

 The responsibility of an overseer is to watch over, protect, and feed the flock of God. 
Sad to say that today most "elders" are yes-men to a pastor and the "sheep" are meat for their table. The sheep are rarely defended but the wolves and hirelings usually are.

1  Faithful is the saying, If a man seeks the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.
     (bishop means simply  "overseer")
2   The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3   no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;
4   one that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5   (but if a man does not know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6   not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7   Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1Tim. 3:1-7

There are twelve masculine nouns and pronouns in that passage. There are no feminine nouns.

In Titus 1, he wrote a second time regarding elders:
 Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that you should set in order the things needed, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed you:

The qualifications for those elders that are to be the "overseers" of the churches:
6)   if any man is blameless, husband of one wife, having children that believe  not accused of riot or unruly.
7)   For the bishop must be blameless, as God`s steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;
8)   but given to hospitality, as lover of good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled;
9)   holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the opposers.

1Peter 5
1)   The elders among you I who am a fellow-elder exhort, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2)   Tend the flock  (i.e. feed the  flock) of God which is among you, exercising oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3)   neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.

Although this may upset a few people, the most often repeated qualification begins with the nouns "man" and "he", a total of 14 times.  11 are in 1Timothy and 3 more in Titus.  

Masculine nouns are used repeatedly in multiple verses and is the first qualification specified and is referenced 14x times.

The noun for the office itself "bishop", Greek "episkopos", is also a masculine noun. (Strongs 1985). 

So when the Scriptures speak in terms of the office of an overseer and the elders that rule, it always does so with men. Even the word "pastor" ("poimen" in Greek), is a masculine noun, and there is no such thing as a wife being "co-pastor" or "pastor" over an assembly.

Having swallowed the "red pill" of truth from the Word, let us look at the points Paul gave in 1Timothy 3.
In our 24 years of church involvement and leadership, we never heard these taught or reviewed in regard to the people who were appointed or put in places of leadership.

This is example of how the church departs from scripture as church leaders are usually those who demonstrate loyalty, financial support, natural gifts for speaking, or a willingness to support and volunteer.Pastors are hired.

We also see that among the elders that minister, no one office such as the pastor, prophet, or apostle, is given pre-eminence above the rest. Notice that no titles are mentioned for those exercising oversight of the churches in these qualifications which apply equally to all ministries and the elders. 

QUALIFICATIONS IN 1Timothy 3

1.   without reproach:  not open to censure, irreproachable. He is honest and his word and motive is good. He is not hiding any sin.  

2.   Husband of one wife: He is a "husband" of one wife. He does not divorce and remarry another, unless the first wife committed adultery,  or she died.

3.   temperate; sober, not given to alcoholic drinks and not a food glutton.

4.   sober-minded: curbing one's desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate, prudent , sensible

5    orderly:  well arranged, seemly, modest. This speaks of his life not being disorderly or out of control.  

6.   given to hospitality:  He is hospitable and generous to guests. Their home is made comfortable to others and they are made to feel welcome.

7.   able to teach: He is apt and skillful in teaching in order to benefit and spiritualy mature others in the Scriptures.

8.   not a brawler: Not ready for a blow, not a pugnacious, contentious, or quarrelsome person. "Not" means not. Contentious means argumentative. He is peaceable.

9.   no striker: He does not hit others, nor his wife, nor his children. seemingly, suitable
equitable, fair, mild, gentle

10.  gentle:  He is reasonable, listens and considers the words of others. He is equitable, fair, mild, and gentle. He is not over-powering, a bully, overbearing, stubborn, or hard.   

11. not contentious: after "gentle" comes not contentious again.
That is posturing as not to be withstood, acting as invincible, and abstaining from fighting whether it be with WORDS or ACTIONS.

12.  not greedy of money: He is free from the love of money, and not given to deals and scams.

13.  one that rules well his own house: He manages over, superintends, presides over, provides for, and is a protector or guardian

14.  children in subjection with all gravity: His (not adult) children  are under control, obedient, in subjection, submissive.   With dignity: the characteristic of a thing or person which entitles to reverence and respect, dignity, majesty, sanctity,honour, purity.

15.  not a novice: He is not newly planted, a new convert, or neophyte (one who has recently become a Christian. -No matter how gifted they are, sincere, or giving of financial support.

16.  Lest he be puffed up. An imature overseer will try to meet his ego needs through the church. he will imagine himself to be above others, he will think those who disagree are going over his head, he will feel threatened easily.  He will see himself as being something he is not and entitled to things by reason of his position or title.

17. having a good testimony from outsiders: His bills are paid, his word is known to be good, he has a good name and reputation for honesty.

In Titus 1:

18. blameless:   He cannot be called into account, un-reproveable, un-accused, blameless. What if he sins? If he is walking in repentance and forgiveness, he is blameless.  Except from the devil.

19.  husband of one wife:  He is once married unless widowed, and did not divorce for any cause other than adultery by his ex-wife.

20.  children that believe and are not riotous:  His children believe in the Lord and are not those that cannot be subjected to control, disobedient, unruly. His children are not in rebellion.

21.  not self-willed:   He is not self-pleasing, self-willed, arrogant.

22.  not quickly angry:   He is not prone to anger, irascible, hot-headed, fiery, hot tempered. 

23.  not given to wine:   He is not a drunkard, given to wine, or drunken.

24.  no striker:   Not ready for a blow, not a pugnacious, contentious, or quarrelsome person. "Not" means not. Contentious means argumentative. He is peacable.

25.  not greedy of lucre:   He is free from the love of gain, desire for wealth and substance, eager for base gain, or greedy for money.   

26.  given to hospitality:   He is hospitable and generous to guests.

27.  a lover of good,   He is of a sound mind, sane, in one's senses,
curbing one's desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate. 

28. sober-minded: He is safe (sound) in mind, that is, self controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion): - discreet, sober, temperate.

29.  just: In a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God
of those who seem to themselves to be righteous, who pride themselves to be righteous, who pride themselves in their virtues, whether real or imagined
innocent, faultless, guiltless

30. holy: undefiled by sin, free from wickedness, religiously observing every moral obligation, pure holy, pious.

30.self-controlled: strong, robust, having power over, possessed of (a thing) mastering, controlling, curbing, restraining, controlling one's self, temperate. He can control his apetite.

31. holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching:  He cleaves hard to the Word, the sayings of God, not just in head knowledge, but in action. He speaks as an oracle of God.

32. able to exhort in the sound doctrine:  To refute, comfort, establish, correct, reprove, to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort

In 1Peter 5:1
"The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder",  the elders are to:

33. tend the flock: to feed, to tend a flock, to rule, govern, shepherd
of rulers (overseers)
to furnish pasture for food
to nourish
to cherish one's body, to serve the body
to supply the requisites for the soul's need

34. exercising the oversight:
to look upon, inspect, oversee, look after, take care of the church which rested upon the elders, to look carefully after, beware in regard to protect 

35. not by constraint: not to shepherd and tend by using compulsion or force of title or position. (carnal authority)

36. willingly: of one's own accord, voluntarily. -not as a hireling, but as a volunteer.

37. according to the will of God. As a man sent from God, according to and from the Will of God, not by men or a Bible College Certificate.

38. nor yet for filthy lucre. To do so NOT for gain, i.e. money. How plain that is. No tithes or salary

39. of a ready mind. eagerness, willingly. Ready to help, work, and of the faith, fully persuaded.

40. neither as lording it. Not as to lord against, that is, control,subjugate: - exercise dominion over (lordship), be lord over, overcome.

41. ensamples to the flock an example to be imitated, of men worthy of imitation.

Can you imagine the typical church reading these scriptures from the pulpit?
Deacons were not the titled, name tagged folks with offering plates in the original church.
They were more typically the hosts of the people who met in their homes and they were servants to the church. 

Do you want to see a deacon's role model?  You have the church selecting seven of them in Acts 6, one of whom was Stephen.

"seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom",
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch;
And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people.

Now there's some real deacons, full of FAITH and the Holy Ghost.   

In Summary: we have given the direct instructions and meanings from the scriptures for those holding "positions" in the church. It is very convicting to realize how far our old churches had departed from God's Word on this. Do you realize a pastor is not above correction? Pastors were only one ministry among God's people, they were not singled out as the head of the church.  

What is presented here should make it obvious that the church structure around us is hopelessly departed from the Word of God. It is as it was at the time of Christ when Jesus called His sheep out from the sheepfolds of the false shepherds.. 

Does this list sound like what any elders do that you know?
This is not a life of managing, giving orders, adjusting the thermostat, making announcements, governing as a  CEO.

If we set aside the traditions and look just at scripture, we can see an elder as a vigilant, self-sacrificing, humble, giving, working servant of the flock.
He might be an apostle, he might be a prophet, he might be a teacher, he might be a pastor.
He may be a matured saint in life and spiritual experience.

These older ones could recognize a wolf even when it looked like another shepherd.
These older ones knew how to love, to care for and to feed God's sheep.
 It was not a job for the power-hungry or those seeking position or special privileges.
It was not a call to showcase our name, knowledge, or personality.
It is not a call for those who crave the pre-eminence in an assembly.

The church at Ephesus Paul spoke to in Acts 20, was overseen by elders, not one man.
 The pre-eminent pastors and Nicolaitanes Paul warned about would come later.
He called them "wolves", they would do the very things Paul told them not to do.
If the church did not follow the scriptures, a wolf could come right in and explain why the scriptural qualifications did not mean what they said.
 It happens every day. 

Unwrapping The Parable of Hierlings and Sheep

 

Unwrapping a parable,

 -rory moore

There are Two ways to answer a call to serve God:
Here is some revelation in John 10 you may have never seen before.

1   Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that enters not by the door
     into the fold of the sheep,
    but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a
     robber.
2   But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3   To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.
4   When he has put forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5   And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6   This parable spoke Jesus unto them: but they understood not
      what things they were which he spoke unto them.

The revelation of the parable:

1.  WHO was Jesus speaking to?
2.  WHO is the "he that enters.. into the fold of the sheep"

3.  WHAT  is the sheepfold?

4.  WHO is the thief and the robber?

5.  WHO is the door?

1.    Who was He speaking to? "they understood not" vs. 6
        It was:

Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said to him, Are we also blind? Jesus was speaking to those who were over the people in leadership. (Jn 9:40)

2.    Let's next see what the "sheepfold" is:
       In the Jewish temple, the house of God, were little "houses" for the sheep, -"the uncovered courtyard of the house. In the O.T. particularly of the courts of the tabernacle and of the temple in Jerusalem." -From the Greek Lexicon definition.  
In the New Testament, the temple of God is people, not a building.
The little houses symbolic for what would become the churches, i.e. the "sheepfolds".

3.   WHO is the "he that enters.. into the fold of the sheep...NOT through the DOOR,  but climbs up" ?
    
Let's consider this "he". Why would Jesus use "climbs up"?
Remember, He was speaking to those that had themselves climbed up in taking the "uppermost rooms" and "chief seats" at the feasts!

Look at the definition of "chief seats": "a sitting first, preeminence in council: - chief (highest, uppermost) seat."

How did the pharisees "climb up" in that day? 
     They did so by the same means that men do today. They climb "up" into those "uppermost seats" through denominations, Bible College Certificates, Doctorates, and even through family personal connections to others in positions with access to placement or education..

      If they go up the "doctorate" or College Degree route, it involves buying their way into ministry, the cost of tuition, accreditation, licenses, and man-made approval devices..

  Luke 11:43  Woe to you Pharisees! for ye love the chief seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the marketplaces. 

 What salutations?  "to be called by men, Rabbi." 
  Note: "To be called by men.."  

You see they were called by men "Rabbi", not God. And they climbed up by way of men, Titles, and education in their Bible schools of their day.
       
Jesus taught his disciples not to take Titles.  Not "Rabbi", not "Master", not  "Leader", and I don't think He approves of the ones men use today to climb up into the sheepfolds in taking authority over the people of God. 

He said "BE NOT CALLED..." and He used the Titles of the day. Mat 23:8
Is it amazing how many teachings of Jesus we ignored, by-passed, or did not apply to church as we knew it?
    

4.  WHO is the thief and the robber?

     10: 12 He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not

               Why would they be called a "hireling", "thief", and "robber"?

Are you connecting the verses here?
The folks that climbed up into the chief seats rather than the Door do so in order for the reward of a hireling.  They are known as salaries, special provision, and benefit packages for a hired clergy.
 Can you find any of the apostles taking tithes or a church salary?
 If you are taking that which God has not told you to take, might that be "robbing God"?

5.  WHO is the DOOR?
     Jesus... said to them again, Verily, verily, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

By now you may be thinking, wait, he  is "the man of God". Or he is the pastor. Or some other title.

Men are called of the Lord to serve Him but most find themselves in the house of the harlot where they learn to exchange their ministry for the reward of a hireling and a position over Gods sheepfolds.

If we take away their un-scriptural tithes, salaries, and benefits and you will see which ones really serve the Lord and trust Him to supply their needs.
Look, it is simple, serve God and He will supply your needs either through work or through willing brethren He speaks to on your behalf.

-As Peter and Jon did in Acts chapter 3 when they gave themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.  What is confusing is we see the professional clergy, and many good men are clergy, but the majority have climbed up through man made institutions into a ministry.

Those who come through the Jesus door, do so through humility and serving others,
not as kings and "not as lords over God's heritage".  They simply answer to the Lord's call and serve others.

WHO was that thief and a robber?
          -"he that CLIMBS UP some other way, is he who goes UP through man made means
            such as Bible College or denominational promotion.
            (none of the apostles used these means, except Paul, and he renounced it)

Who goes into the sheep to rob and steal?
10: 12 He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not

God did not call men to go through man-made institutions in order to shepherd Gods flocks.
Most of those that do become professional clergy and exchange their ministerial call for a tithe or salary, which God never gave them permission to take.
If you take what God never gave you permission to take from His people, what does that make you?

That is a pretty hard word...
Now should we make excuses and justify ourselves or should we walk in the steps of Jesus and His apostles?
It is time for the true servants of the Lord to lay down the desire for glamour preaching, the television cameras, the mega churches, the hired staff, the salaried and tithe-plundering corrupt church system, and follow Jesus outside the camp and learn of Him.

This is the harlot church *system*...  and now you understand the parable Jesus taught.
 Let Him make a minister and servant of you and He will.