Ans. The word means "conquering the people." It points to the time when clerisy (clergy distinguished from laity) took its rise. It began by the deeds of some in Ephesus setting themselves up as the spiritual ones, who were more fitted to take part in the assembly. "Which thing I hate," says the Lord, for it hinders the people's worship and the Spirit's leading, and robs God of the worship due to Him. In no place in Scripture do we find the Lord setting one or more men over a congregation to order their worship.
The Church at Pergamos was dwelling in the world where Satan's seat or throne is, and there in that worldly condition, we find Balaam's doctrine that seduced the people into fornication, that is, linking the world and the Church together in the world's idolatry. And the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, that they taught as the truth, was the very thing that God hates, and set up a system entirely contrary to God's Word.
Ministry, that is, evangelists, pastors and teachers are given of God to minister to the Church; true ministry comes from Christ in glory, but they are never appointed by men. (Gal. 1:11Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) (Galatians 1:1); Eph. 4:8, 11-138Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Ephesians 4:8)
11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:11‑13).) There is no such thing as ordination of the clergy in the Word of God.
What loss to God and to His people, the rise of Nicolaitanism has been. And let us beware of this very danger rising up among those gathered to the name of the Lord. (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20).)
Ques. I would like to know if it is scriptural for women to take part in any meetings, such as so-called Young People's, or so-called informal meetings, and also is it scriptural for women to teach Sunday school classes? If so, please give Scripture References.
Ans. "In the reply as to woman's preaching, there is not the most remote reference to the blessed work of Sunday school teaching. God forbid that any one should think for a moment that we could pen a line calculated to discourage a Christian woman from such an interesting service, provided she be fitted for it, and can engage in it without interfering with necessary home duties.
We consider Sunday school teaching to be just one of the very things in which "women can labor in the gospel." It is not speaking in the assembly. It is not teaching or usurping authority over a man; but teaching children the Word of God. It is not assuming the place of a public speaker-so unseemly for a woman. In short, it is a work in which she can most suitably and blessedly engage; and we can say, with a full heart, may God's richest blessing rest on all who are so engaged.”
(Copied from "Correspondence" in "Things New and Old", Vol. 19; year, 1876.)