I was reading Revelation 2 and have a question about the Nicolaitans. If they were indeed followers of Nicolas, who was said to be “..of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit…” in Acts, then do you think someone after Nicolas perverted his teachings, or Nicolas himself led them astray with his teachings?
According to my research, the Nicolaitans were a heretical sect that advocated a blending of pagan customs, like eating food sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality, into Christian worship. The tradition that the Nicolaitans were followers of the deacon Nicholas cannot be substantiated.
By the way, the only one of the seven deacons from Acts 6:4-6 described as being of honest report and full of the Holy Spirit was Stephen, although when the Apostles laid their hands on these men and prayed for them the Holy Spirit certainly came into their lives.