anon, you're looking at a forbidden doctrine of the nicolaitans. theres a reason why the catholics purged some of the biblically relevant scripture after rome collapsed. it contradicted the political goals of satan, clergy is forbidden.  these men are pharisee, just like their orthodox counter-parts.  i'm not considered protestant or denominational. i just paid attention to what paul was saying and what peter did when dealing with the roman centurions family. james condemns religious law following just like paul does, the galatian error is self-reliance rather than accepting what jesus did to be enough and relying on that during times of trial.  religion has shifted the dichotomy between athiesm and itself, when in reality an athiest has no idea that both segemented groups are full of unbelievers, one rejects god outright, the other feigns faith and is actually worshipping themselves just like the pharisee in the luke 18 parable. this is why jesus used the term 'blind guides' to describe them, they're aiding satan in turning away would be believers and giving them a false gospel under the misconception that you have to work for salvation, or have some external proof that you belief, rather than simply believing in the promises that jesus himself made. the hour is later than you think.
United States