Who and what were the deeds of the Nicolaitans? Here a few things I found on the internet that people have posted to give us more detail than the book of Revelation does. Here is what some people wrote:
1. Who were the Nicolaitans and what was it about them that so angered Almighty God? The term comes from two Greek words which mean
"victory over the laity" a religious dictatorship that allowed little or no freedom to its members. This is precisely what the Holy Spirit had in mind when he told the church elders not to be lords over God's heritage, but examples to the flock (
1 Peter 5:3) How this message is to be emphasized in our day as religious leaders try to impose their man-made rules on each and every member!
2.The Nicolaitans were a loose sect who sheltered themselves under the name of Christianity. They held hateful doctrines, and they were guilty of hateful deeds, hateful to Christ and to all true Christians; and it is mentioned to the praise of the church of Ephesus that they had a just zeal and abhorrence of those wicked doctrines and practices. An indifference of spirit between truth and error, good and evil, may be called charity and meekness, but it is not pleasing to Christ. Our Saviour subjoins this kind commendation to his severe threatening, to make the advice more effectual.
3. That thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans - Greek,
“works” (τὰ ἔργα ta erga). The word
“Nicolaitanes” occurs only in
Revelation 2:6, 15. From the reference in the latter place it is clear that the doctrines which they held prevailed at Pergamos as well as at Ephesus; but from neither place can anything now be inferred in regard to the nature of their doctrines or their practices, unless it be supposed that they held the same doctrine that was taught by Balaam.
4. The deeds of the Nicolaitanes - These were, as is commonly supposed, a sect of the Gnostics, who taught the most impure doctrines, and followed the most impure practices. They are also supposed to have derived their origin from Nicolas, one of the seven deacons mentioned
Acts 6:5. The Nicolaitanes taught the community of wives, that adultery and fornication were things indifferent, that eating meats offered to idols was quite lawful; and mixed several pagan rites with the Christian ceremonies. Augustine, Irenaeus, Clemens Alexandrinus, and Tertullian, have spoken largely concerning them.
5. Of the Nicolaitans (tōn Nikolaitōn). Mentioned again in
Revelation 2:15 and really meant in
Revelation 2:2. Irenaeus and Hippolytus take this sect to be followers of Nicolaus of Antioch, one of the seven deacons (
Acts 6:5), a Jewish proselyte, who is said to have apostatized. There was such a sect in the second century (Tertullian), but whether descended from Nicolaus of Antioch is not certain, though possible (Lightfoot). It is even possible that the Balaamites of
Revelation 2:14 were a variety of this same sect (
Revelation 2:15). Which I also hate (ha kagō misō). Christ himself hates the teachings and deeds of the Nicolaitans (ha, not hous, deeds, not people), but the church in Pergamum tolerated them.
6. But this thou hast. There is another ground of commendation. They hate the deeds of the Nicolaitanes. Opinions are not agreed concerning this sect, but it is probable that the followers of a Nicolaus are meant who taught that Christian liberty meant license to commit sensual sins.
7. The name, like other names, Egypt, Babylon, Sodom, is symbolic. Compare
Revelation 2:14 and
15, which shows the true sense of Nicolaitanes; they are not a sect, but professing Christians who, like Balaam of old tried to introduce into the Church a false freedom, that is, licentiousness; this was a reaction in the opposite direction from Judaism, the first danger to the Church combated in the council of Jerusalem, and by Paul in the Epistle to Galatians. These symbolical Nicolaitanes, or followers of Balaam, abused Paul’s doctrine of the grace of God into a plea for lasciviousness (
2 Peter 2:15-16, 19; Jude 1:4, 11 who both describe the same sort of seducers as followers of Balaam).
8. Nicolaitanes. One of the heretical sects that plagued the churches at Ephesus and at Pergamum (see Revelation 2:15), and perhaps elsewhere. Irenaeus identifies the Nicolaitans as a Gnostic sect:
“John, the disciple of the Lord, preaches this faith [the deity of Christ], and seeks, by the proclamation of the Gospel, to remove that error which by Cerinthus had been disseminated among men, and a long time previously by those termed Nicolaitans, who are an offset of that ‘knowledge’ might confound them, and persuade them that there is but one God, who made all things by His Word” (op. cit. iii. 11. 1; ANF, vol. 1, p. 426). There is also historical evidence of a Gnostic sect called Nicolaitans a century or so later. Some Church Fathers who report concerning this sect (Irenaeus op. cit. i. 26. 3; Hippolytus Refutation of All Heresies vii. 24) identify its founder as Nicolas of Antioch, one of the seven deacons (see
Acts 6:5). Whether the tradition concerning Nicolas the deacon is correct, we do not know, but the sect may be the same as the one mentioned by John. In the 2d century, at least, adherents of this sect appear to have taught that deeds of the flesh do not affect the purity of the soul, and consequently have no bearing on salvation.
9. Sounds to me that they have covered it all. Allowing multiple wives, sexual immorality etc.
Hippolytus of Rome states that the deacon Nicolas was the author of the heresy and the sect.[2] Several of the early church fathers, including Irenaeus, Epiphanius, and Theodoret mentioned this group. Irenaeus discusses them but adds nothing to the Apocalypse except that "they lead lives of unrestrained indulgence."[3] Victorinus of Pettau states that they ate things offered to idols.[4] Bede states that Nicolas allowed other men to marry his wife[5] and Thomas Aquinas believed that Nicholas supported either polygamy or the holding of wives in common.[6] Eusebius said that the sect was short-lived.[7]
10. Yes, although it seems more than multiple wives and sexual immorality. I just read this article that seems to link Balaam & Nicolaitans doctrines and claims such are not only present, but also prevailing in the times we are living in:
http://www.bibleone.net/BF07.htm
Don't we see this today? Groups (majority) of Christians that think the law don't apply to them since they have immunity by grace and can transgress God's law without suffering any consequences, teaching others so too :-S
11. Nicolaitians~In its native tongue and its ecclesiastical setting is that bishops and prelates of the church have gained a triumphal victory or conquest over the laity, until they have been compelled to submit to the arbitrary dominion of men, who have become that which God hates~
Lord's over God's heritage. Niko~conquered; Laos~people.
In John chapter three, we learn of one named Nicodemus, who was a
ruler, or master in Israel. His name fits perfectly his title, as names do many times in the scriptures. Nico....laitians~the name divides perfectly for us to understand. This should not be too hard to grasp hold of, and I do not believe that it is; men make it so hard for a reason. I leave that for my readers to consider as to why they do.
Please consider this point. What was only a
deed, in the church at Ephesus, (
Revelation 2:6) soon became a
doctrine at Peramos~
"So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitians, which thing I also hate. Evil deeds quickly turn into church doctrine.
12. I found this on
www.wordoftruthradio.com, does anyone agree or have anything to add?
Nicolaitans: One of the heretical sects that plagued the churches at Ephesus and at Pergamum, and perhaps elsewhere. Irenaeus identifies the Nicolaitans as a Gnostic sect: John, the disciple of the Lord, preaches this faith (the deity of Christ), and seeks, by the proclamation of the Gospel, to remove that error which by Cerinthus had been disseminated among men, and a long time previously by those termed Nicolaitans, who are an offset of that knowledge falsely so called, that he might confound them, and persuade them that there is but one God, who made all things by His Word (see Irenaeus Against Heresies iii 11. 1; ANF vol. 1, p. 426) There is also historical evidence of a Gnostic sect called Nitolaitans a century or so later.
The doctrine of the Nicolaitans appears to have been a form of antinomianism. (Antinomianism: A belief that is based upon a recognition of the mercy of God as the ground of salvation, but it makes the fatal mistake that man can freely partake in sin because the Law of God is no longer binding. It held the truth on the gratuitous reckoning of righteousness; but supposed that a mere intellectual belief in this truth had a saving power. The Apostle James refuted this error in
James 2:19 with the admonition,
"The devils also believe, and tremble"; reminding us that true faith is an active principle which works by love and it goes beyond a profession of belief. "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (
James 2:20) The Bible teaches us that salvation is a free gift, based upon God's grace alone (
Ephesians 2:8-9). However, the very next verse tells us that
"we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (
Ephesians 2:10) True faith produces action, as well as a desire for holiness and obedience. (
1 John 3:18, Titus 2:11-15, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Revelation 14:12)
Nicolaitans of the 2nd century seem to have continued and extended the views of the 1st century adherents, holding to the freedom of the flesh and sin, and teaching that the deeds of the flesh had no effect upon the health of the soul and consequently no relation to salvation. On the other hand, the Bible teaches that Christians are supposed to
"die" to sin and the deeds of our
"flesh":
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (
Romans 6:1-2).
"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God" (
Romans 6:11-13).
Today, the doctrine is now largely taught that the gospel of Christ has made God's law of no effect: that by believing we are released from the necessity of being doers of the Word. But this is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which Christ so unsparingly condemned in the book of Revelation.
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (
James 1:22)
Seems like many who profess Christ have taken the anchor that is the Word of God and cast it aside. Very dangerous indeed as this Jesus says:
13. It appears to be what we call the teaching of
'Cheap Grace'...
14. So the doctrine of the Nicolatians has been served up as the main course affectionately known to some as
"Once saved Always Saved"?