Acts 6:5-6
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and
Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
The
biblical term
"proselyte" is an
anglicization of the
Koine Greek term προσήλυτος (proselytos), as used in the
Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) for "stranger", i.e. a "newcomer to
Israel";
[1] a "sojourner in the land",
[2] and in the
Greek New Testament[3] for a
first century convert to Judaism, generally from
Ancient Greek religion. It is a translation of the
Biblical Hebrew phrase גר תושב (
ger toshav).
[4] (Wikipedia)
2:6 Even if the Ephesian church did not love as it should have (v. 4), at least the Lord could positively say, you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans. The Nicolaitans were a heretical group that troubled the churches at Ephesus and Pergamos (v. 15). Apparently their teaching and practice were immoral, perhaps even idolatrous (v. 14). Some church fathers connected this sect with Nicolas, one of the seven elected leaders in the Jerusalem church (Bible study notes)
1 John 2:19-20
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 they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
2:19 When the false teachers went out from among the believers, they revealed that they did not belong to the Christian community; they were never true believers. they … us: In the opening verses of this book, John made a distinction between we and you (1:1, 3). We, the apostles, were the eyewitnesses of Christ, you were the readers. That same distinction is probably maintained here (see also v. 20). Thus when John says these false teachers were not of us, he means they did not agree with the teaching of the apostles. These antichrists had departed from the apostolic churches, and their attitudes and actions were not of the apostolic persuasion. If they had been in harmony with the apostles, they would have remained in fellowship with them (1:1–3).
Bible study notes.
Given the above I reckon Nicolas was never a true believer to begin with.
Maybe a conversation to Judaism but not Christianity.
But also possibly out to gain (my assumption) just like Simon the scorcrer.
It's interesting that only he is referred to as proselyte.
I'm not aware of the other 6 being mentioned in revelations.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
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