Correct. that is the word for Elder in the Greek. We have one High priest, Christ Jesus, all of us become a royal priesthood by the Sanctification of the Holy Ghost. We all have the authority to expose the corruption in the church and hold one another accountable as brethren, and to reform what has fallen into corruption, as Paul encouraged the Corinthian church to do which had a leader who Married his Mother, Or what was instructed By Paul to Timothy regarding Elders: Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. (1 Timothy 5:19-20)
The facts are, the Catholic church has big problems in their leadership, and there is no one holding them to account because of Nicolaitan doctrines that make their leaders an elite and un-reformable class of leader, that can literally get away with murder, anathematizing all those who dare speak up against them, calling them a heretic, and excommunicating any who dare speak up against them. Until this Problem is addressed, the Catholic church is not the one true church the Apostles founded but rather a den of wolves in sheep's clothing. Do You understand this? Many Catholics freely admit this, as i said before, it is Catholics themselves that are saying this Pope is the antipope, and that his doctrines are leading the church to its final demise to receive the antichrist and the mark of the beast. This is not just a fundamentalist and protestant attack on your church, but one that is coming from the Elders of your church who are seeing the Hypocrisy rising in the Doctrines, and the corruption of the priesthood not being held to account. What you are witnessing here, now from myself and others is a rebuke of the doctrine that has led to these fruit in the Catholic church. I would rather see you all reform the church than see it run to the ground of corruption as it is quickly heading, and what I am showing you backed by ample scriptural proof is the solution to the problem if you will hear it. I cannot reform your church, it is People like you who are Members of your church that can reform it, who see the problem and hold the leaders to account and make an example of them, but first you need to knock down the Nicolaitan doctrine that has led to this unaccountable priestly class, a Burden no man can bear. (Matthew 23:3-7)
The question is does the Laity of the church have the will and strength to do this, or perhaps the better solution is found in Revelation 18:4-8...
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
Read the eight parts of this link, it is an interventionist website for People who are in cults, but it applies to churches as well where the leadership becomes corrupt. It will explain alot of why these problems exist in the Catholic church.
Mind-Field: Eight Ways to Identify Religious Brainwashing (Part 1 of 8) | Liberty for Captives
None of what I have said here is to malign Your church, Or you or anyone else here. I Know these are hard words for you all to hear, But I praise God for a Forum like this that allows them to be spoken, and heard. This is not nor ever has been about anticatholic bashing, but anti nicolaitan doctrines which have infiltrated the catholic leadership. It is the laity that has the ability to correct this knowing they are called to do so by Christ Jesus himself who has made them a Royal priesthood, not a subservient class to the priestly class. All are called to mature to be elders, and presbyters and priests and hold one another to account as Brethren. ....But Speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Ephesians 4:15)
God bless.
