Philip the Evangelist First, Before Paul

I Know the Plans I have for you 11 Facts About Luke and the Book

Philip the Evangelist First, Before Paul

Philip, the evangelist, was one of the first people to obey Jesus’ command to spread the Gospel.

Acts 6:1-7
Acts 8:5-40
Acts 21:8-10

Philip Chosen as One of the 7

Hellenists, Greek speaking Jews from the Diaspora, complained to the disciples that their widows were neglected with daily food distribution. Possibly, the Aramaic speaking disciples weren’t as fluent in Greek. This language barrier could’ve been the cause these widows were overlooked.

It wasn’t intentional. When the 12 disciples received the complaint, they rectified the situation immediately. They called all the disciples together; they suggested they chose 7 from among them who were

well-respected,
full of the Holy Spirit, and
had wisdom

Philip was among the 7 men chosen for this duty of overseeing the food distribution.

Persecution Forced Philip, the Evangelist to Flee

Stephen’s death was followed by extensive persecution of the believers in Jesus Christ. This resulted in believers spreading the good news wherever they went.

Paul was actively persecuting the believers when Philip fled to Samaria. There he preached the Gospel to the Samaritan’s, an ethnically mixed group of partly Jew and partly Gentile. His message confirmed with signs of healing and casting out evil spirits.

Simon the Magician Saved

Simon was a magician who had amazed the Samaritans for a long time. The all paid attention to him and thought he was great, until….

When Philip told them about Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God, they believed. Large crowds of Samaritans believed and were baptized, including Simon. Simon followed Philip and was amazed at the signs and miracles performed.

The apostles in Jerusalem sent Peter and John to pray and lay hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit.

Angel Sent Philip to Gaza

An angel of the Lord instructed Philip to follow the road south to Gaza. Gaza was the last stop for water from Jerusalem to Egypt.

On this road Philip met a court official and treasurer of Candace, the queen of Ethiopia. He was returning from Jerusalem where he had worshipped. Seated in his chariot he was reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. (Isaiah 53:7–8 NLT)

Led by the Holy Spirit, Philip ran to the chariot and asked the Ethiopian whether he understood what he was reading. The Ethiopian invited Philip to join him and to tell him who Isaiah was talking about.

Philip Baptized the Ethiopian

The Ethiopian believed the Gospel and was saved. When they came to water, he asked to be baptized. As he came out of the water, the Holy Spirit carried Philip away, and he didn’t see Philip anymore.

Philip found himself in Azotus. He preached the good news in every town until he reached Caesarea.

Caesarea Philip’s New Home

Caesarea was originally a small harbor town. Rebuilt by Herod the Great, it developed into a large Greek speaking population. Herod improved the harbor, built a palace out into the sea, an amphitheater shaped like a hippodrome for horse races and the great aqueduct (the ruins are still there today).

Philip, the evangelist, settled and made Caesarea his new home.

During one of Paul’s journeys, he stayed with Philip in Caesarea. He met Philip’s four daughters who prophesied. It was during this time that Agabus came from Judea. The prophet bound his own feet and hands with Paul’s belt and prophesied his capture in Jerusalem.