Here is an excerpt from the writings of Justin Martyr on the Nicolaitans, and the namesakes of various other similar, false teachers, and the doctrines formed of their opinions.
Justin Martyr (in Dialogue with Trypho, 35) discusses the fact “that many of those who say that they confess Jesus, and are called Christians, eat ‘meats offered to idols’, and declare that they are by no means injured in consequence.” He stated that such people are “confessing themselves to be Christians, and admitting the crucified Jesus to be both Lord and Christ, yet are not teaching His doctrines, but those of the spirits of error. …[They are those who] teach to blaspheme the Maker of all things, and Christ, who was foretold by Him as coming, and the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, with whom we have nothing in common, since we know them to be atheists, impious, unrighteous, and sinful, and confessors of Jesus in name only, instead of worshipers of Him. Yet they style themselves Christians, just as certain among the Gentiles inscribe the name of God upon the works of their own hands, and partake in nefarious and impious rites.”
Justin holds their existence furthers the true faith as it is proof of Christian scriptural prophecy about the rise of false teachers (Matthew 7:15, 24:11; 1 Corinthians 11:19). He declares that they are those …who, coming forward in the name of Jesus, taught both to speak and act impious and blasphemous things; and these are called by us after the name of the men from whom each doctrine and opinion had its origin.”
Despite the similar charge of eating “meats offered to idols” Justin does not link the groups with Nicolaitanes or Nicolas – rather saying “Some are called Marcians, and some Valentinians, and some Basilidians, and some Saturnilians, and others by other names; each called after the originator of the individual opinion…the name of the father of the particular doctrine.”
What would their teachings appear as today? Things titled: Imputed righteousness, Unconditional eternal security, workless salvation, vocal profession without holiness in conduct, self-justification of one’s sin and denying the power and purpose of the Holy Spirit being given, the “there’s nothing I can do to earn it, it’s a free gift” ideology, judaism in keeping the works of Mosaic Law, the denial that there is a Law of Christ (law of the spirit/ law of Grace), and so on.
In essence, the Nicolaitans taught people that obedience and works in keeping the Law of Christ were not necessary to salvation, because God “knows their heart”, and that going along with the social culture to avoid personal hardship would not be counted against them by Christ, because He knows they don’t really mean it. But reading the words of Jesus to these seven churches, it is clear that He tells them that if they compromise to save themselves, He will damn them.
What is your “pastor” indoctrinating you and your family with? Do you even know the difference in preaching, using Jesus’ name, versus the teachings of Jesus? It’s life and death in importance!
Galatians 1:9
“As we have said before, and now I say again, if any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received from us, let him be condemned to hell!“
Revelation 2:5-6
Therefore, remember from what high state you have fallen and repent! DO THE DEEDS YOU DID AT FIRST; IF NOT, I WILL COME TO YOU AND REMOVE YOUR LAMPSTAND (My Spirit) from its place – that is, if you do not repent. But you do have this going for you: You hate what the Nicolaitans teach and practice – things I also hate.“
So……tell me again how our works have nothing to do with obtaining salvation?
The false doctrines of the first century church, that the Apostles wrote the epistles to address in the churches, still operate in plain sight in so-called churches today. Do we think Jesus’ warnings to the seven churches don’t apply to every other house calling itself a house of God? Pastors and leaders who ignore, condone, or support various salvation doctrinal views as “still God’s church”, will not be saved, but damned. So is the outcome of anyone who partakes, tolerates, or affirms them.