Philip the Evangelist

Info

• #apostle #benefactor
• Home:: Caesarea
• Other Locales:: Jerusalem, Samaria, Gaza road, Azotus
• References:: Acts 6#6:5, Acts 8#8:5-40, Acts 21#21:8-9

Notes

• One of the original Seven chosen to serve tables in Jerusalem (Acts 6#6:5)
• Not the same as Philip the apostle (one of the Twelve)
• Had four unmarried daughters who prophesied (Acts 21#21:9)

Summary

Philip the Evangelist, distinguished from Philip the apostle (one of the Twelve), was one of the seven men chosen to oversee food distribution to Hellenistic Jewish widows in Jerusalem (Acts 6#6:5). Though appointed for practical service, Philip demonstrated gifts far beyond logistics.

After persecution following Stephen's martyrdom scattered the Jerusalem believers, Philip went to Samaria and became the first to preach the gospel there, performing signs and miracles that drew crowds (Acts 8#8:5-8). This mission was a significant boundary-crossing moment: Samaritans were despised by Jews, yet Philip pioneered the gospel's expansion into hostile territory.

Philip was then directed by an angel to the desert road between Jerusalem and Gaza, where he encountered an Ethiopian eunuch (court official of the queen of Ethiopia) reading Isaiah 53 in his chariot (Acts 8#8:26-39). Philip explained the passage, proclaimed Jesus, and baptized the eunuch. This encounter represents the gospel's reach to the ends of the earth and to those excluded from full participation in Judaism (eunuchs were barred from the assembly, Deuteronomy 23#23:1).

Philip was found at Azotus and preached through coastal towns until reaching Caesarea (Acts 8#8:40), where he settled. When Paul and companions passed through Caesarea on the way to Jerusalem, they stayed at Philip's house (Acts 21#21:8). Luke notes that Philip had "four unmarried daughters who prophesied" (Acts 21#21:9), highlighting the prophetic character of his household and the role of women as prophets in the early church.

Philip is the only person in the New Testament explicitly called "the evangelist" (ho euangelistēs), making him the prototype for the gift described in Ephesians 4#4:11.

References

• wrightChallengeActsRediscovering2024 - Wright's study of Acts as theological history, covering Philip's role in Acts 6-8 and 21:8-9.
• polhillActs1992 - Polhill's Acts commentary covering Philip in Acts 6-8 and 21:8-9.
• paoActsIsaianicNew2002 - Pao's study of Acts through the lens of Isaiah's new exodus, providing theological context for Philip's narrative in Acts 6-8 and 21:8-9.
• addisonActsMovementGod2023 - Addison examines the Acts narrative as a movement model, including Philip's contribution in Acts 6-8 and 21:8-9.
• Who was Philip the Evangelist? - GotQuestions.org
• Philip the Evangelist - Wikipedia