Quote:
Originally Posted by aron
The Irish Catholics have a place at the table. The Roman Catholics have a place, as do the French. The Greek Orthodox have a place at the table. And the Russian, Syrian, and Ethiopian Orthodox. The German Protestants, Dutch Reformed, Southern Baptists have a place, too, along with Jewish Messianists. (Not equating all these with the 7 churches above, but stretching to a larger, but related, point)
All of these can trace their lineage back to Jesus and the Twelve. As such they have a place at the banquet table. But those who insist on primacy at the table will be sent down lower - the Lord made this clear. With what you judge, you will be judged. And those who insist their church is unaffected by human culture, whilst others are Babylon, remain most infected. And so forth.
I say that Baptists, Orthodox, Messianics etc are opportunity for us to find and exercise the first love. Angry and disaffected atheists and anti-theists even more so.
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One could make the case that Nicolaitions are those who insist on primacy, having a doctrine that they are the strong (Nico) while others are the weak (lait) and the Lord says he hates that and such a teaching and practice is inconsistent with Romans 14:1
https://biblehub.com/romans/14-1.htm and so many other sections of scripture.
Blessed are those washing their robes, that their right will be to the tree of life, and they shall enter into the city by the gates.
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And the one hearing, let him say, “Come!” And the one thirsting let him come; the one desiring, let him take freely the water of life.