1.   Introduction

Have you ever wondered who the ‘Nicolaitans’ mentioned in the book of Revelation were? Whoever they were, Jesus loathed their doctrine and hated their deeds. Let us delve into this subject to see if we can determine the identity of this group. What was their damnable doctrine? What deeds were they committing that provoked such a strong reaction from Jesus?

The thing Jesus hated about them was ‘their deeds.’ The word ‘deeds’ is the Greek word ‘erga,’ which means ‘works.’ However, this word is so all-encompassing that it pictures all the deeds and behaviour of the Nicolaitans — including their actions, beliefs, conduct, and everything else connected to them.

The name ‘Nicolaitans’ is derived from the Greek word ‘nikolaos,’ a compound of the words ‘nikos’ and ‘laos.’ The word ‘nikos’ is the Greek word that means ‘to conquer’ or ‘to subdue.’ The word ‘laos’ is the Greek word for ‘the people.’ It is also where we get the word ‘laity.’ When these two words are compounded into one, they can form the name ‘Nicolas,’ which means ‘one who conquers and subdues the people.’ It seems to suggest that the Nicolaitans were somehow conquering and subduing the people.

2.   The Person of Nicolas

Irenaeus and Hippolytus, two leaders in the Early Church who recorded many of the events that occurred in the earliest recorded days of Church history, said the Nicolaitans were the spiritual descendants of Nicolas of Antioch, who had been ordained as a deacon in Acts 6:5.

Acts 6:5 tells us that this Nicolas was “a proselyte of Antioch.” The fact that he was a proselyte tells us that he was not born a Jew but had converted from paganism to Judaism. Then he experienced a second conversion, this time turning from Judaism to Christianity. From this information, we know these facts about Nicolas of Antioch:

• He came from paganism and had deep pagan roots, very much unlike the other six deacons who came from a pure Hebrew line. Nicolas’ pagan background meant that he had previously been immersed in the activities of the occult.
• He was not afraid of taking an opposing position, evidenced by his ability to change religions twice. Converting to Judaism would have estranged him from his pagan family and friends. It would seem to indicate that he was not impressed or concerned about the opinions of other people.
• He was a free thinker and very open to embracing new ideas and concepts. Judaism was very different from the pagan and occult world in which he had been raised. For him to shift from paganism to Judaism reveals that he was very liberal in his thinking, for most pagans were offended by Judaism. He was not afraid to entertain or embrace new ways of thinking.
• When he converted to Christ, it was at least the second time he had converted from one religion to another. We do not know if, or how many times, he shifted from one form of paganism to another before he became a Jewish proselyte. His ability to easily change religious ‘hats’ implies that he was not afraid to switch direction in midstream and go a different direction.
• Isidore of Seville, in the year 636 AD, wrote that after a time he had abandoned his wife because of her beauty, so that whoever wanted to enjoy her might do so, even nightly; the practice turned into debauchery, with partners being exchanged in turn.

According to the writings of the Early Church leaders, Nicolas taught a doctrine of compromise, implying that total separation between Christianity and the practice of occult paganism was not essential. From Early Church records, it seems apparent that this Nicolas of Antioch was so immersed in occultism, Judaism, and Christianity that he had a stomach for all of it. He had no problem intermingling these belief systems in various concoctions and saw no reason why believers could not continue to fellowship with those still immersed in the life of the corrupt Roman empire and its countless mystery cults.

For the true believer, Roman rule required sacrifice to their gods and emperors and one, Decius, attempted to weed out Christians by enforcing sacrifices to various Roman deities. Those who resisted faced persecution and possible execution.

3.   Nicolaitan History

It was so hard for believers to live separately from all the activities of paganism because paganism and its religions were the centres of life in these cities. Slipping in and out of paganism would have been very easy for young or weak believers to do since most of their families and friends were still pagans. A converted Gentile would have found it very difficult to stay away from all pagan influence.

Significantly, the ‘deeds’ and ‘doctrines’ of the Nicolaitans are only mentioned in connection with the churches in these two occultic and pagan cities. It seems that the ‘doctrine’ of the Nicolaitans was that it was all right to have one foot in both worlds and that one need not be so strict about separation from the world to be a Christian. This was the doctrine of the Nicolaitans that Jesus hated. It led to a false version of Christianity that was without power, conviction and salvation — a defeated, worldly religion.

Nicolas’ deep roots in paganism produced in him a tolerance for occultism and paganism. Growing up in this perverted spiritual environment caused him to view these belief systems as not so damaging or dangerous. This wrong perception resulted in a very liberal viewpoint that encouraged people to stay connected to the world. This is what numerous Bible scholars believe about the Nicolaitans.

This kind of teaching would result in nothing but total defeat for its followers. When believers allow sin and compromise to be in their lives, it drains away the power in the work of the Cross and the power of the Spirit that is resident in a believer’s life. The evil fruit of Nicolas’ doctrine encouraged worldly participation, leading people to indulge in sin and a lowered godly standard. In this way, he conquered the people.

God wants to make sure we understand the doctrine the Nicolaitans taught, so Balaam’s actions are given as an example of their doctrine and actions.

Rev 2:14,15  Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

When Balaam could not successfully curse the people of God, he used another method to destroy them. He seduced them into unbridled, sensual living by dangling the prostitutes of Moab before the men of Israel.

Numbers 25:1-3 tells us, “While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women,  2  who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down before these gods.  3  So Israel joined in worshipping the Baal of Peor. And the LORD’s anger burned against them.”

Just as the men of Israel compromised themselves with the world and false religions, now the “doctrine” of the Nicolaitans was encouraging compromise. As you are aware, compromise with the world always results in a weakened and powerless form of Christianity. This was the reason Jesus “hated” the “doctrine” and the “deeds” of the Nicolaitans.

Christians now face a choice to blend in with society or stand out in this culture of compromise. Many people in the church today, like Solomon, attempt to marry several wives in a spiritual sense. We serve both God and money and any idol you can conceive.

But The Lord tells us we can serve only one master. Our culture is reaching a tipping point where we must choose who we will follow; it requires sacrifice. We can serve ‘gods’ or God, and if we choose the latter, like the church of Ephesus, we resist the Nicolaitans and their attempts to drag us with them in acts of idolatry and immorality.

Who Could They Be?

Possible examples of those following the Nicolaitan doctrine today.

• A Person Who Seeks to Use the Ministry to Gain Money, Fame, Or Notoriety

It still happens all the time in the church. We are not immune to dealing with false teachers and prophets in modern Christianity. Are they gathering people to themselves? Glorifying their own name? Are they leading people to become more committed to Christ alone or do they keep adding extra stuff to be saved?

• A Person Who Is Controlling and Power-Hungry in The Ministry

This goes along with #1; people who use the ministry of God to build their own kingdom are not part of the Kingdom of God (which cannot be shaken). They rely on things that are temporary and unstable. That leads to insecurity and fear, and they see everything as a threat. To get security they impose control over ‘their people.’

• One Who Accepts Sexual Immorality and Perversion

Our culture continually sexualises everything, in increasingly perverse ways. Children are encountering porn at younger and younger ages through cell phones and more. Our culture normalises the perversion, and the same heart of a Nicolaitan willingly participates in this sin, whether in private or public.

• Anyone Worshipping Idols

Idolatry does not have to be a physical image of a false god. At its core, idolatry is the worship of our own hands. Our own selves, what we can produce, manufacture, and create. Paul wrote that “greed is idolatry” (Ephesians 5:5 & Colossians 3:5). Idolatry can be anything, even good things, placed before God on our priority list.