Topical Encyclopedia Philip, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, holds a significant place in the New Testament narrative. His name, of Greek origin, means "lover of horses." Philip is distinct from Philip the Evangelist, who is mentioned in the Book of Acts. As one of the original disciples called by Jesus, Philip's journey of faith and his interactions with Jesus provide valuable insights into the early Christian community and the spread of the Gospel.Calling and Early Ministry Philip's calling is recorded in the Gospel of John. Jesus found Philip in Galilee and simply said to him, "Follow Me" (John 1:43). Philip's immediate response to Jesus' call demonstrates his readiness and willingness to embrace the Messiah. He quickly shared the news with Nathanael, saying, "We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (John 1:45). This encounter highlights Philip's role as a connector, bringing others to Christ. Role Among the Apostles Philip is mentioned in the lists of the Twelve Apostles in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14) and in the Book of Acts (Acts 1:13). His presence in these lists underscores his integral role in the foundational group of Jesus' followers. Philip's interactions with Jesus often reveal his inquisitive nature and desire for understanding. In John 14:8, Philip asks Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us" . Jesus' response to Philip emphasizes the unity between the Father and the Son, providing a profound theological insight into the nature of God. Feeding of the Five Thousand Philip's practical mindset is evident in the account of the feeding of the five thousand. When Jesus asked Philip where they could buy bread for the crowd, Philip replied, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece" (John 6:7). This interaction illustrates Philip's focus on the logistical challenges, contrasting with Jesus' miraculous provision, which ultimately strengthened the disciples' faith. The Greeks Seek Jesus Philip's Greek name and possible Hellenistic background may have made him approachable to Greek-speaking individuals. In John 12:20-22, some Greeks who had come to worship at the feast approached Philip with a request to see Jesus. Philip, along with Andrew, brought this request to Jesus, indicating his role as a mediator between different cultural groups and his openness to the inclusion of Gentiles in the message of Christ. Presence at the Last Supper and Pentecost Philip was present at the Last Supper, where Jesus imparted crucial teachings to His disciples (John 13-17). After Jesus' resurrection and ascension, Philip remained with the other apostles in Jerusalem, devoting himself to prayer and waiting for the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 1:13-14). On the day of Pentecost, Philip was among those filled with the Holy Spirit, empowering him to participate in the early church's mission to spread the Gospel to all nations. Tradition and Legacy While the New Testament does not provide extensive details about Philip's later life and ministry, early Christian tradition holds that he continued to preach the Gospel in various regions. Some accounts suggest that Philip ministered in areas such as Phrygia and Hierapolis, where he is believed to have been martyred for his faith. His legacy as a faithful apostle and evangelist endures in the Christian tradition, inspiring believers to follow Christ with dedication and zeal. Nave's Topical Index Matthew 10:3Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Nave's Topical Index Mark 3:18 Luke 6:14 Acts 1:13 Greek 5376. Philippos -- "horse-loving," Philip, two sons of Herod the ... ... Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Philippos Phonetic Spelling: (fil'-ip-pos) Short Definition: Philip Definition: Philip, (a) one of the twelve apostles of Jesus ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5376.htm - 7k Library After Prayer Jesus Selects Twelve Apostles. The Death of John and Philip. "He Ordained Twelve" Hippolytus on the Twelve Apostles: The Course Pursued by the Apostles after the Ascension of Christ. In the Name of Jesus Christ Our Crucified Saviour The Apostles Chosen The First Disciples. Of the Calling of the Apostles as they were Fishing. The Same Hippolytus on the Seventy Apostles. Resources Who was Nathanael in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Herod Antipas? | GotQuestions.org Who was Herod the Great? | GotQuestions.org Philip: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Philip: Caught Away by the Spirit to Azotus, Preaches in the Cities, and Goes to Caesarea Philip: One of the Seven Servants (Greek: Diakonos) Philip: One of the Seven Servants (Greek: Diakonos): Has Four Daughters (Prophetesses) Philip: One of the Seven Servants (Greek: Diakonos): Lives at Caesarea, and Entertains Paul Philip: One of the Seven Servants (Greek: Diakonos): Successfully Preaches in Samaria Philip: One of the Seven Servants : Expounds the Scriptures to the Ethiopian Eunuch Whom he Immerses Philip: One of the Twelve Apostles Philip: One of the Twelve Apostles: Asks Jesus to Show the Father Philip: One of the Twelve Apostles: Brings Certain Greeks to Jesus Who Desire to See Him Philip: One of the Twelve Apostles: Brings Nathanael to Jesus Philip: One of the Twelve Apostles: Call of Philip: The Brother of Herod Antipas and the Husband of Herodias Related Terms |
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