The Sleeping Army: How the Clergy System Disarmed the Saints

Jesus Christ showed His disciples—not only through His teachings but through His very life—the model of the Church He envisioned. He prayed for their unity (John 17:21), commanded them to love one another (John 13:34–35), and demonstrated servant leadership by washing their feet (John 13:14–15). He taught that in His Kingdom, the greatest must be the servant (Matthew 20:25–28).

In His Kingdom, there were no ladders to climb, no thrones to fight for, and no “special class” of Christians—only brothers and sisters, equally redeemed and equally empowered (Matthew 23:8–12).

But somewhere along the way, an enemy sowed tares into the garden (Matthew 13:25).

The Infiltration: When Hierarchy Entered God’s Family

Satan could not destroy the Church from outside. Persecution only made it stronger (Acts 8:1–4). So he attacked from within, slowly introducing a hierarchical system that suffocated the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:5, 9).

Frank Viola insightfully writes in Pagan Christianity:

“The clergy system represents the most pervasive and destructive change in the entire history of the Church.”

He explains how, after the apostles, Christians gradually adopted:

• Roman political structures
• Greek philosophical professionalism
• Old Covenant priestly patterns

These foreign elements created a clergy–laity divide never found in the New Testament.

What Jesus abolished, man rebuilt.

What the Cross tore down, religion resurrected.

The Nicolaitan Spirit: What God Hates

In Revelation 2:6 and 2:15, Jesus says He hates the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. This is rare—Jesus rarely uses such strong language.

The etymology exposes why:

• Nikos — to conquer, dominate
• Laos — the people

Nicolaitan = “those who rule over the people.”

This system elevated a few to rule over the many—exactly what Jesus forbade (Mark 10:42–45; Matthew 23:8–11).

Jon Zens, in The Pastor Has No Clothes, states:

“The clergy system institutionalizes the very thing Jesus condemned—a separate class that stands between God and His people.”

Where Jesus built a family, religion built a hierarchy.

Where the Holy Spirit empowered all, tradition empowered a few.

The Tragic Shift: From Servant Leaders to Religious Professionals

Over centuries, the servant leadership Jesus modeled was replaced with:

• Titles that elevate men above brothers (James 2:1–4)
• Special clothing that signals spiritual rank
• Seats of honor in gatherings (Luke 11:43)
• Political leadership structures borrowed from empire
• A pastor-centered model instead of a Spirit-centered body

This system killed the functioning priesthood of every believer (Ephesians 4:11–12; Romans 12:3–8).

Wolfgang Simson, in Houses That Change the World, writes:

“The church stopped being a movement when it adopted a political leadership structure instead of a family model.”

The Church unintentionally became a place where 5% minister while 95% watch.

The sleeping army became an audience.

How the Clergy System Disarmed the Saints

The clergy-laity divide did not merely reorganize church structure—it neutralized the average believer.

It convinced Christians:

• “I’m not qualified.”
• “Ministry is for the pastor.”
• “I’m just a member.”
• “Only clergy can preach, baptize, or lead.”

Yet the apostolic church empowered every believer:

• “All can prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:31)
• “Each one has a psalm, a teaching…” (1 Corinthians 14:26)
• “Those scattered preached everywhere” (Acts 8:4)
• “You are a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9)
• “To each one the Spirit gives a manifestation” (1 Corinthians 12:7)

Neil Cole, in Organic Church, declares:

“You can’t awaken a church by entertaining it. You awaken it by empowering it.”

The clergy system made believers passive.

The enemy’s greatest strategy was not persecution—it was disempowerment.

The Good News: God Is Awakening His Army

Despite centuries of human tradition, the Holy Spirit is restoring God’s original blueprint.

Across nations, house churches and disciple-making movements are rediscovering:

• Every disciple is a minister (Ephesians 4:12)
• Every believer can baptize (Acts 8:38)
• Every home can host a church (Acts 2:46; Romans 16:5)
• Leadership is shared, not centralized (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5)
• Jesus alone is the Head (Colossians 1:18)

Felicity Dale, in An Army of Ordinary People, writes:

“The greatest movement God is raising today is through ordinary believers who simply obey Jesus.”

This is not rebellion—this is restoration.

It is returning to the Church Jesus showed His disciples.

A leadership that washes feet (John 13:14).

A family that shares life (Acts 2:42–47).

A body where every joint supplies (Ephesians 4:16).

Conclusion: Time to Awaken the Sleeping Army

The clergy–laity divide is not a minor doctrinal issue—it is a cancer that has weakened the Body for centuries. But the wind of the Spirit is blowing again.

A nameless, faceless army of ordinary disciples is rising. They refuse to be spectators. They carry Christ into homes, villages, businesses, and nations.

It’s time to tear down the walls hierarchy built.

It’s time to equip the saints again.

It’s time to awaken the sleeping army.

Every believer is called.

Every believer is gifted.

Every believer is sent.