Philip’s story is told in Acts 6:1-7; 8:5-40; 21:8-10
Who is Philip?
- Background: Early Christian, one of the first seven deacons chosen in the church in Jerusalem. Likely of Jewish origin but exposed to Greek culture (he has a Greek name).
- Not the Same as Philip the Apostle: Make sure not to mix him up with Philip the Apostle; they’re two different Philips in the New Testament.
Strengths and Accomplishments
- Chosen as a Deacon: High moral character and full of the Holy Spirit, he was one of the seven men selected to distribute food and aid fairly in the early Christian community (Acts 6:5).
- Evangelist: He preached the gospel in many cities, leading to conversions and miracles.
- In Samaria: Performed miracles and brought joy to the city (Acts 8:5-8).
- Teaching and Baptizing: He had the ability to explain Scripture clearly, which led the Ethiopian eunuch to faith in Jesus (Acts 8:35).
- Obedience: Willing to go where the Spirit led him, even if it was away from a successful ministry in Samaria.
- Planting Seeds: Though his time in each place was relatively short, his ministry left a lasting impact, enabling others to build upon it.
Weaknesses and Mistakes
- Not Explicitly Mentioned: Interestingly, the Bible doesn’t delve into the weaknesses or mistakes of Philip the Evangelist in detail. This absence, however, doesn’t mean he was perfect, but that the focus in the biblical accounts was on his service and obedience.
Lessons from His Life
- Readiness to Serve: Being a deacon was not a “lesser service,” but a critical role that led him to greater things.
- Availability: He was open to the Spirit’s leading, displaying the importance of being attuned to God’s voice.
- Ability to Communicate the Gospel: It’s not just about spreading the word; it’s also about making it understandable to others, regardless of their background.
- Flexibility in Ministry: He was doing great in Samaria, but when called to go elsewhere, he went. Shows the importance of not getting too comfortable when in service to God.
- Integrity: His life showcased the qualities that made people trust him, such as honesty, sincerity, and morality.
Key Verses (NIV)
- Acts 6:5: “This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.”
- Acts 8:5-8: “Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.”
- Acts 8:35: “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.”