1 Corinthians 14:26-33: How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

     When going to typical ‘Christian’ worship service, what does one typically see? Typically (this may vary from group to group), one enters, hob-knobs with acquaintances, sings some songs pre-selected by a ‘praise and worship leader’, hears announcements, hear prayer requests, gives ‘tithes and offerings’, hears someone (who is usually the ‘head pastor or other such person) preach a sermon, close with prayer, and then go home. The order of these events may vary in order, but pretty much are generic in most of our institutional assemblies. Is this the way that our Lord intended things to be?
     In this set of Scriptures, we are given a very clear picture of how the structure and order of fellowship should be. If Paul or any other of the early disciples were to walk into our ‘church’ services what would their reactions be? With the departing from the pattern set forth by the early disciples, it’s clear that they would be amazed, confused, and ashamed to see what our fellowships have denigrated into. From this set of Scriptures, clearly we can see that the First Century fellowships were dramatically different from what we have now. It’s clear that while in fellowship, every member was meant to be involved. One of the main purposes of fellowshipping together is so that we may all use the gifts which our Lord gave to us, to minister to one another.
     All are meant to be allowed the opportunity to exercise their gifts amongst the brethren. Whether it's preaching, teaching, prayer, singing, dancing, healing, etc… all are meant to minister, not just a select few. Imagine all of the benefits that the early disciples experienced from this mode of fellowship. People were healed, much more knowledge and understanding was shared, people were encouraged and fed, and by allowing everyone the chance to use their gifts allowed for amazing spiritual growth amongst everyone.
     Today, many leaders have created kingdoms for themselves, where their word becomes law. They fear allowing such freedom because they realize that they will lose control if the freedom of Christ is allowed to rule. Often, they maintain control over every aspect of the service, from the music which is selected to the order of service, and especially what is preached or taught. Any who step out and attempt to share what the Lord has given them are quickly subdued. They are often told that they need ‘proper’ training, need time to grow, are made to feel inferior, or even just out-right denied without even having the opportunity for what they’ve been given to be tested.
     Our Lord never meant for one person to do it all, or to control it all. Father gave us all gifts to be used amongst each other for the growth and health of the Body. Even Jesus allowed the disciples to use their gifts, to help minister to the people. He sent His Holy Spirit in order to equip all of His disciples for the edification of His Body, not just a select few.
     But, this isn’t the only example of everyone using their gifts that we are given.

Romans 12:3-8: For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think: but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

     In a body, all the parts are meant to perform the function that the head directs them to perform. In a healthy body, all parts perform their individual functions by cue from the head, for the benefit of the whole. One part may be a foot, another an arm, and still another a hand, but all are vital for the well-being of the body. Whether a person has a gift towards preaching, teaching, healing, encouraging, serving, administration, etc… they were given to benefit the Body, not to sit and warm a pew.
     Since this has become an alien concept in most our fellowships of today, there will be many questions that arise. For instance, some are going to ask, “Who does the preaching?” The answer is very simple; anyone who is gifted and led to do so. It is the responsibility of those who are spiritually mature (the elders) to distinguish whether a teaching, a sermon, or any supernatural occurrence is from the flesh, a demon, or the Holy Spirit. This was the main reason for the choosing of elders, to maintain order and insure that it was the Holy Spirit leading, and not another influence.
     Yet another question that is sure to arise is, “What if a fellowship has a large membership?” Well, first of all, large memberships (those that have become too large for intimate relationships amongst all who fellowship) should not be so. When a congregation grows so large as to allow people to become ‘lost in the crowd’ many dangers begin to take shape. People are allowed to become complacent, not doing anything with what the Lord gave them to minister with. Not only that, but what also occurs is the quenching of the Holy Spirit. Most fellowships have never truly experienced a full moving of the Holy Spirit amongst them because the ones that He chose to move through have neglected or not been allowed to perform what He called them to do.
     When people aren’t involved in a fellowship, what often happens is that services become stale and boring. Often times, leaders try to place a feeling of guilt on those who tire of the monotony by placing the blame for their boredom on those who are in attendance, rather on themselves. Boredom bears a bad witness to our Lord by making people think that our Lord is boring. This shouldn’t be, our God is far from boring. It’s our watering down of His commands that have made our gatherings stale. The sooner that people are allowed to use the gifts that our Lord gave them, the sooner that we will see more people born-again, as well as the supernatural displays of power that we read and pray about. Fellowship was never meant to be a spectator sport.
     Not only does this practice hurt those in the pews, but it does nothing good for those in leadership, either. When leaders take all the responsibility of the ministering upon themselves, they tend to wear themselves out. This is because they resort to doing things that they were never gifted to do, in the flesh. When performing acts in the flesh, one resorts to relying upon one’s own strength to accomplish a task. This always leads to trouble, especially since it takes the power of God to truly minister to people’s hearts.
     When things begin to be led by the flesh, the power of God is withheld. This is evident by the things which have come to replace the power of the Holy Spirit. Leaders have turned to programs and worldly marketing strategies to draw people to their fellowships because God’s Holy Spirit isn’t being allowed to do what only He can do. People aren’t being healed because those with the gifts aren’t being allowed to exercise them. The leaders often find themselves having to deal with all the administration duties, menial work, and all of the preaching and teaching, as well. This ends up leading them to exhaustion and a break down because they are taking more upon themselves than they were called and gifted to do.
     In addition to the harmful aspects of this type of structure, there are aspects which can only be described as evil, as well. One obvious aspect is that of control. When a person or select group of people are allowed to arbitrarily dictate what is and isn’t allowed to transpire, regardless of the Holy Spirit’s leading, bondage is always the result. God gave each of us the gift of His Holy Spirit for a reason and no one has the right to impede the use of a gift or function because it doesn’t coincide with the way that they want things to run. When people are placed under bondage, they become conditioned to follow people, rather than our Lord.
     This has led to the practice referred to as Nicolatianism.

Revelations 2:6: But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolatanes, which also I hate.

Revelations 2:15: So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolatanes, which thing I hate.


     The name ‘Nicolaitane' is a word which is compromised of three different Greek words. The first is ‘Nikos’ which is defined as a conquest, victory, the conquered, and by implication dominancy over the defeated. The second term is ‘laos’ which simply means people. This is where we get the term ‘laity’ from. The final word is ‘ton’. When put together, we have ‘Nockos-laoston’ which when translated into English we have ‘Nicolaitane’; the full meaning of which is ‘those who have victory over the people’. Those that followed this doctrine were the leaders who compelled the people to submit to the arbitrary rule of men by manipulation and coercion. God hates this, when man takes rulership over something that the Lord has reserved for Himself.
     When people aren’t allowed to participate in fellowships and are demoted to spectators, this produces the impression that those in leadership possess some type of spiritual superiority which justifies the acquisition of so much control over peoples lives. As people grow in the Spirit, boldness and confidence begin to grow and many leaders become terrified of this happening. When a person is allowed to grow to the place in their walk where they begin to recognize error and deception, they begin to ask questions. For this simple reason, it is only advantageous for those who love to have pre-eminence to keep people on a leash for fear of losing control.
     Our Lord is very displeased with the ways things are being done through the institutional form of fellowship. People have taken control of something that only belongs to God. The First Century Disciples understood that in order to experience the power of God, they had to do things His way. Every disciple of Christ is blessed with at least one spiritual gift through the power of His Holy Spirit, to be used for the growth and benefit of the Body. Never was the arbitrary form of governing the Body condoned by the early Disciples of Christ.
     Our Lord says that the time of leading His groups of disciples in this corrupt way is no longer acceptable. Release His people to operate in the functions that He has equipped them for. He says that those who lead in the ways that please Him will be allowed to bask in His glory and favor, eternally. But those who lead through their own means will not experience His blessings or favor. He hates practices which hold His people back and demands that equality return to His Body. There can be only one head of the Body and His name is Christ Jesus.
     Our Lord also has a word for those who have gifts and are neglecting to use them; it’s time for you to unearth your talents and put them to work. If you are in a fellowship which doesn’t allow you to use what He has given you, then leave and He will lead you to where you can be used according to His will. What you are doing, by not using your gifts, is quenching His Holy Spirit, and are hurting those that He has intended to use you to minister to. Stand up, be heard, and let Christ shine forth within you.