Just who were the Nicolaitans?
The blog you are about to read was researched, and organized, using information gathered from history books, Wikipedia, and most importantly, the Bible. Unfortunately some of this information may be offensive to some readers, the analysis compiled here was not gathered out of judgment, malice, or grievance toward any group or person. The information found in this blog was collected from both biblical and historical record. This blog was constructed for research and discovery purposes.
The Nicolaitans?
According to the book of Revelations, Yehoshua was not pleased with them. The only references we have are negative. Revelation 2: 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
The Nicolaitans were believed to have developed their own set of beliefs and practices which apparently deviated from the teachings of the True Followers of Yehoshua.
Nicolas (the origins of a new doctrine)
The name Nicolaitans derived from their leader, Nicolas. He was one of seven deacons chosen by Yehoshua’s disciples, recorded in Acts 6: 5.
The Nicolaitans seem to be a group where people focused more on the teachings and practices of this fellow, Nicolas rather than Yehoshua. This behavior was reflected in their perceived authority or dominance within the early congregation.
Described as a celibate, this description was later used by 16th century Protestant apologists to argue against the practice of mandatory clerical celibacy. This suggested that it originated within Nicolaism first before spreading into what later became Catholicism and Christianity.
According to the Early Christian writers, the doctrine of Nicolas was one of compromise. It appears that Nicolas of Antioch was so immersed in occultism, and Judaism, that he had no problem intermingling these beliefs into a new indescribable creation. He apparently saw no reason why believers couldn’t continue to fellowship with those still immersed in the black magic of the Roman empire and its countless mystery cults which he included in his new doctrine.
Anyone reading these blogs are fully aware that I have many questions (which remain unanswered) challenging the true origins of the Christian Church.
We know that the Papacy have made multiple official statements explaining in detail how Christianity began with Jesus and how Peter, his disciple started the Catholic Church but, many, many plot holes exist within their flimsy explanations. These holes such as the one created when history tells us that Christians were expelled from Rome in 19CE opens up new unanswered questions. We can deduce using simple math that Yehoshua would only have been a teenager at this time. Under Yehudim strict guidelines; adulthood does not began until one is at least 30 years old. Yehoshua’s Ministry would not have begun until at least a decade later, so who exactly were the Christians at this time?
The answer is not given, at least not by them. However, what is known, is that during this timeline followers of the pagan god Serapis Christos were using a form of Christ, as a description in their own cult religion. Also, many pagan deities such as Helios Christos, Osiris Chreistos, Isis Christos, Chrestos Mithras, and Serapis Christus, extended into further dominance due to Greek, Roman and eventually Norse influence which continues into current societal norms.
John wrote in 1st John 2:19, They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
Learning About The New Deacons of The Congregation!
Acts 6: 3 “Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.”
Acts 6: 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose (1) Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also (2) Philip, (3) Procorus, (4) Nicanor, (5) Timon, (6) Parmenas, and (7) Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
Deacon Number Two (2)
Philip the deacon chosen second by the disciples, appeared to be faithful and consistent in his work and devotion to GOD. Acts 8: 6-8 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
Nicolas was the Last Of The Deacons, Number Seven (7).
Acts 6:5 reveals that this Nicolas fellow was “a proselyte of Antioch.” The fact that he was a proselyte tells us that he was not born a Jew (Yehudim) but was converted from paganism into the Hebrew belief. So take note, not only did he recently transition into the Hebrew faith, but for the second time he appears to have converted into a belief system, which according to his peers, wasn’t quite all that he was looking for.
People described the new Nicolas religious group as a make-up of the deacons original pagan practices, conveniently integrated with newly obtained beliefs he obtained from Yehoshua’s disciples.
Revelation 2: 14- 16 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
What exactly was the teaching of the Nicolaitans?
Early writers, including Irenaeus, Hippolytus, and Pseudo-Tertullian, claimed that Nicolas founded the heretical sect condemned in the Book of Revelation.
Clement of Alexandria (circa. 182) says, “They abandoned themselves to pleasure like goats, leading a life of self-indulgence.” Their teaching perverted grace and replaced liberty with license.
Deacon Number Three (3)
Prochorus deacon number three was the nephew of Stephen the Protomartyr. Prochorus accompanied Yehoshua’s disciple Peter, who ordained him to be the bishop in the city of Nicomedia. He is also thought to have been a companion of John, another of Yehoshua’s disciples. It was John who consecrated him as bishop of Nicomedia in Bithynia. Some modern scholars dispute his having been the author of the apocryal Acts of John. According to the late tradition, he was the bishop of Antioch, and was martyred there in the 1st century.
Antinomianism
Their downfall? Revelation 2: 6
Things such as Antinomianism; the belief that the Nicolaitans were freed from the constraints of moral law seems to have also infiltrated into the current Christian Church. It would appear that they too have unaligned themselves from those who believe and adhere to GOD’s Commandments!
Antinomianism – meaning no law (no commandments)
In Christianity, a antinomian is one who takes the principle of salvation by faith and divine grace to the point of asserting that the “saved” are not bound to follow the moral law contained in the “Ten Commandment,” but are saved by grace.
Antinomians believe that faith alone guarantees eternal security in heaven, regardless of one’s actions.
James 2 :17-18 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
It would appear that the Nicolaitan’s flagrant disregard for moral boundaries, such as idolatry, and Licentiousness (a wanton disregard or transgression of laws “commandments”, rules, or even morality) became standard practice within their sect. Again, this same behavior was later mimicked by the Christian Church.
Jude 1:4 For certain individuals, the ones written about long ago as being meant for this condemnation, have wormed their way in – ungodly people who pervert God’s grace into a license for debauchery and disown our only Master and Lord, Yeshua the Messiah.
Many Christian Churches continue to maintain a lavish materialistic lifestyle, which is far from spiritual.
While the Bible doesn’t explicitly state all of their beliefs, historical sources suggest that the Nicolaitans (like the Christians) held views that deviated from Yehoshua’s original teachings, such as:
* Libertinism: advocating a relaxed moral code, which included, pursuing personal desires without consideration of consequences. They, like the Gnostic’s and other false teachers, abused the doctrine of grace by introducing licentiousness instead.
* Syncretism: The blending of multiple teachings. They combined the original teachings of Yehoshua with pagan practices, such as eating food offered to idols. The accepting of idols in homes and places of worship which is contradictory to GOD’s Law.
*Compromising with Paganism: Their tolerance for pagan practices also contradicted the clear and concise Laws of GOD.
* Moral Relativism: Their lax moral standards undermined the purity and holiness of the True faith.
Deacon Number Four (4)
Nicanor, the fourth deacon chosen, was said to have been unwavering in his service. As a deacon he was chosen to serve tables, leaving Yehoshua’s disciples free to concentrate on prayer and ministry.
Serving Tables
They were to serve tables; which meant in part that they were to serve the poor; to whom they were to distribute the stock belonging to the congregation, distributing with impartiality, cheerfulness, and sympathy.
Deacon Number Five (5)
Timon, the fifth deacon appointed, as recorded in Acts 6:5 ministered to destitute widows. He was chosen to become bishop of the city of Bosra in Syria, where he led many to follow, “the Way.” He was thrown into a red-hot furnace and was said to have received the crown of martyrdom.
Nicolas– The modern Greek Νικόλαος, or Nikolaos originally derived from a combination of two Greek words meaning ‘victory’ and ‘people’. Combined the name translates as “victory of the people.” or “conqueror of the people,” essentially implying a sense of “conquering” through the “nikē”
Which is very interesting if you take into account how, “Christ” was also said to be a conqueror and the religion of Christos was literally spread throughout the world by, “European conquerors.” The irony is revealed in how Christ became the substitute, for the true Yehoshua, meaning he was placed in a position originally not his own. To conquer the people using deception.
This religion of the Nicolaitans appears to be one blended with many things including idolatry, mysticism, and paganism.
In essence the name, “Nicolaitans” served to distinguish them as a specific sect or group within the early followers.
It is curious how:
Just as Antinomianism, was the core foundation of the Nicolaitans, Christian’s also follow this very same philosophy, which rejects the idea that they are bound to obey the laws of GOD (commandments), but instead assert that salvation is achieved through grace alone. (Believe in Jesus and you will be saved)
John 14: 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Matthew 19: 17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Yeshua replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
Antinomian comes from two words anti– against and nomos– law
Deacon Number Six (6)
The sixth name on the list of deacons is believed to have preached in Asia Minor. Parmenas suffered martyrdom in 98 CE, under the persecution of Trajan. He was believed to be the Bishop of Soli. Though, some historians take this to be Soli Cyprus while others interpret it as Soli Cilicia.
According to Flavius Josephus (born CE 37/38, Jerusalem—died CE 100, Rome) a Jewish priest, scholar, and historian, In 19 CE when Tiberius Caesar expelled the Jews (Yehudim) from Rome, he also expelled the Christians, who at that time were followers of Serapis Christus. It was documented by many writer’s that the followers of Serapis were also expelled from Rome in 19 CE by Tiberius Caesar. Remember, According to ancient Hebrew law and customs, Thirty years was believed to be the age of physical and mental maturity. The age acceptable and suitable for high degrees of responsibility. In the year 19 CE, Yehoshua, the Messiah would have only been in HIS late teens, his 30th birthday wouldn’t have taken place until at least another ten years.
During the time of Yehoshua, HIS early followers, those who believed, referred to themselves as “Followers of the Way,” not Christians. Acts 24:14 But this I do admit to you: I worship the God of our fathers in accordance with “the Way” (which they call a sect). I continue to believe everything that accords with the Torah (Law) and everything written in the Prophets.
Acts 9:2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of “the Way” he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.
According to Josephus, about 97,000 Yehudi captives from Yudeah were sold into slavery by the Romans during the revolt. Many other Yehudi fled from Yudeah to other areas around the Mediterranean. Josephus wrote that 30,000 Jews (Yehudi) were deported from Yudeah to Carthage (North Africa) by the Romans.
Deacon Number One (1)
Last but definitely not least was actually the very first name chosen, Stephen. Stephen was chosen first according to the Acts as one of the Seven Deacons, who were appointed by Yehoshua’s disciples to distribute food and charitable aid to poorer members of the community in the early congregation.
According to Orthodox belief, Stephen was the eldest and therefore he was called “archdeacon.” It was believed that Stephen was born Hebrew, but nothing more is known about his previous life. The reason for the appointment of the deacons was stated to have been dissatisfaction among Hellenistic Jews that their widows were being slighted in preference to Hebrew ones in the daily distribution of food.
Since the name Stephanos is Koine Greek, it has been assumed that he was one of these Hellenistic Jews. Stephen is stated to have been full of faith and the HOLY SPIRIT and performed many miracles among the people.
Acts 7: 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Yehoshua, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Did you know: Antioch was named after Antiochus, who was a general under Alexander the Great, inheriting a portion of his empire that would eventually become the Seleucid empire.
How does all this effect us today?
While the Nicolaitans were a specific group in the early days of the congregation, their teachings served as a warning against similar heresies. Heresies which eventually caused, what was once known as “the Way,” to morph into an institution and practice, completely opposite from what was Spiritually acknowledged by the early followers of YEHOSHUA.
We know that maintaining GOD’s high standard, HIS commandment law was never meant to be compromised or merged into societal norms. GOD’s people were always meant to be a stand alone group. A group not of this world, and not conforming to any worldly system, or religious dogma. The choice of “Yehoshua’s way” is GOD’s WAY (YHWH)! It has always been crystal clear; that it remains a choice stemming between the truth and the lie? Faith or worldly acceptance? Which will you choose?
The Nicolaitans were an early religious sect whose beliefs and practices were condemned by John, the Revelator, early followers of Yehoshua, and even Yehoshua, HIMSELF. Their story is one that serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the truth. Following GOD’s commandments, and not yielding to fleshy distractions!
