Topical Encyclopedia Philip the Evangelist, distinct from Philip the Apostle, is a significant figure in the early Christian Church, known for his role in spreading the Gospel beyond the Jewish community. He is first introduced in the Book of Acts as one of the seven deacons chosen to serve the early church in Jerusalem. This selection was made to address the needs of the Hellenistic Jewish widows, ensuring fair distribution of food and resources (Acts 6:1-6).Role and Ministry Philip's ministry is marked by his evangelistic zeal and the miraculous signs that accompanied his preaching. After the martyrdom of Stephen and the subsequent persecution of the church in Jerusalem, Philip traveled to Samaria. There, he proclaimed the Messiah to the Samaritans, and his message was confirmed by miraculous signs, including the casting out of unclean spirits and the healing of the paralyzed and lame. As a result, there was great joy in the city, and many believed and were baptized (Acts 8:4-8). Philip's encounter with Simon the Sorcerer is another notable event during his ministry in Samaria. Simon, who had previously amazed the people with his sorcery, believed and was baptized, though his later actions revealed a misunderstanding of the Holy Spirit's power (Acts 8:9-24). The Ethiopian Eunuch One of the most remarkable episodes in Philip's ministry is his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch, a high official under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. Directed by an angel of the Lord, Philip met the eunuch on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. The eunuch was reading from the book of Isaiah, and Philip, prompted by the Spirit, approached him and explained the Scriptures, proclaiming the good news about Jesus. The eunuch believed and was baptized, marking a significant moment in the spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 8:26-39). Later Life Philip eventually settled in Caesarea, where he continued his ministry. He is mentioned again in Acts 21:8-9, where Paul and his companions stayed at Philip's house. At this time, Philip is described as "the evangelist" and is noted to have four unmarried daughters who prophesied, indicating a household deeply involved in the work of the Holy Spirit. Legacy Philip the Evangelist is remembered for his pioneering role in the early church's mission to the Gentiles and his obedience to the Holy Spirit's leading. His life exemplifies the power of the Gospel to transcend cultural and ethnic boundaries, fulfilling Jesus' command to be His witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Smith's Bible Dictionary Philip the Evangelistis first mentioned in the account of the dispute between the Hebrew and Hellenistic disciples in Acts 6. He is one of the deacons appointed to superintend the daily distribution of food and alms, and so to remove all suspicion of partiality. The persecution of which Saul was the leader must have stopped the "daily ministrations" of the Church. The teachers who had been most prominent were compelled to take flight, and Philip was among them. It is noticeable that the city of Samaria, is the first scene of his activity. Acts 8. He is the precursor of St. Paul in his work, as Stephen had been in his teaching. The scene which brings Philip and Simon the sorcerer into contact with each other, (Acts 8:9-13) which the magician has to acknowledge a power over nature greater than his own, is interesting. This step is followed by another. On the road from Jerusalem to Gaza he meets the Ethiopian eunuch. (Acts 8:26) ff. The History that follows is interesting as one of the few records in the New Testament of the process of individual conversion. A brief sentence tells us that Philip continued his work as a preacher at Azotus (Ashdod) and among the other cities that had formerly belonged to the Philistines, and, following the coast-line, came to Caesarea. Then for a long period--not less than eighteen or nineteen years--we lose sight of him. The last glimpse of him in the New Testament is in the account of St. Paul's journey to Jerusalem. It is to his house as to one well known to them, that St. Paul and his companions turn for shelter. He has four daughters, who possess the gift of prophetic utterance and who apparently give themselves to the work of teaching instead of entering on the life of home. (Acts 21:8,9) He is visited by the prophets and elders of Jerusalem. One tradition places the scene of his death at Hierapolis in Phrygia. According to another, he died bishop of Tralles. The house in which he and-his daughters had lived was pointed out to travellers in the time of Jerome. Library Philip, the Evangelist Philip the Evangelist Philip the Evangelist The Death of John and Philip. The Apostles that were Married. Acts XXI Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts The History of Simon Magus. Something Different from the New Birth. Acts xx. 32 Resources Who was the Ethiopian eunuch? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is an evangelist? | GotQuestions.org Who was Bartholomew in the Bible? | 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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