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Originally Posted by OBW
I’m not sure how the works and teachings of the Nicolaitans is relevant to the discussion. While Lee taught that it was all about clergy/laity, many (most?) scholars disagree and say that it was an error related to teachings of Baal (may have the specific wrong) and was a somewhat hedonistic practice that crept in with some.
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A follow-up to this, informational only.
While looking for something else altogether, I came across this note that I jotted down probably around 1987 when studing this issue in greater detail.
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Nicolaitanism probably represents a movement present in the churches at Ephesus and at Pergamos to subject the people of God to one or more powerful leaders. The term is derived from \nikao\ (Gk.), "to conquer" and \laos\ (Gk.), "people," hence, "people conquerors." Very plausibly, the Nicolaitan movement marks the beginning of a form of priesthood in the church. (Footnote on Rev. 2:6, p. 1480)
W.A. Criswell, The Criswell Study Bible (KJV), (C)1979 Thomas Nelson Publishers
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I don't know anything else about Criswell. Maybe someone from the Dallas area can say whether he was a crackpot or a worthy scholar. He does seem to have fairly solid conservative evangelical credentials, though.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W.A._Criswell