Deacons: Part 7 Nicolas
The final deacon on the list in Acts 6 is Nicolas.
Acts 6 v 5
This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
Nicolas was originally from Antioch, a city in modern day Turkey. He converted to Judaism, so was likely a Greek and not born a Jew.
Nicolas and Nicolaitans
There was significant discussion in the early Church about the connection between Nicolas and the Nicolaitans.
The Nicolaitans were mentioned by the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation.
Revelations 2 v 6 & 14-16
But you have this to your credit: You hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. In the same way, some of you also hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent! Otherwise I will come to you shortly and wage war against them with the sword of My mouth.
It is thought that the Nicolaitians held several beliefs:
They held wives in common
Food offered to idols must be exorcised before eating
Fornication was forgiven after 7 days
Some of the early Church writers defended Nicolas, and explained that he had been misrepresented. They said, Nicolas decided to become celibate, even though he was married, allowing his wife to serve the apostles. He took to heart the Apostle Matthias’s phrase,
that it is our duty to fight against the flesh and to misuse it.
I think Matthias probably means, don’t succumb to the passions of the flesh rather than misuse or abuse it. Nicolas was firm in resisting his carnal desires.
His defenders say his story was the taken up by a Christian Gnostic sect who integrated it into their foundation myth. By doing this, it would bring authenticity to their doctrines.
On the other hand, even more early writings say that Nicolas headed up this sect and promoted ‘love feasts’, which is mixing the Eucharist with orgies.
What is Gnosticism?
This is a hard term to pin down. It likely came from ancient Egypt, and probably from at least 500 BC. My personal view is that it is much older than this.
Gnostics believe the human spirit is trapped within the body and needs to be freed. Some Gnostic groups achieve this by harming the body, sometimes in extreme ways. Other groups believe it is through blurring the categories. So men acting like women, children treated like adults and vice versa. If categories can be crossed, then this confounds the physical world, which then brings greater freedom to the person’s spirit.
In all cases, they believe in hidden knowledge which can only be passed to new initiates through special secret rites.
Gnostic groups may have their own brand of beliefs, but these two aspects are the most commonly held.
Both these elements are in stark contrast to Christianity. Where we believe in defined categories and where there are no hidden teachings.
Modern Gnostic Culture
As you read this, you may have thought of situations in our current Western culture which reflect Gnosticism.
There is a Gnostic thread which runs through the foundation of the West. We can see it in the Enlightenment, early scientists, Marxism and even in some Church congregations.
The best Christian defence against Gnosticism is to remember that the Bible teaches that the spiritual is just as important as the physical. The whole of Creation is good, not just the spiritual parts.
We are not primarily spirits who just so happen to be in a physical body. But we are knitted together in our mothers’ womb, the spirit and the flesh knitted together.
Symbolism of Nicolas
In this series, we learnt about the first seven deacons in the early Church. How five were martyred, St Philip who led a long life and Nicolas, who walked away from Christ, leading people astray.
Symbolically, Nicolas reflects both Judas and the Great Betrayer, the Devil. We see this through Scripture, where God begins a new work, then eventually someone betrays Him. Even though this pattern is common in the Bible, we need to be the ones who remain faithful. And if we do make a mistake, be prepared to repent.
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