Phillip the Evangelist

Philip, one of the seven deacons chosen by the early church in Jerusalem, who preached the gospel in Samaria and baptized an Ethiopian eunuch.

Philip was one of the seven men chosen by the early church in Jerusalem to serve as deacons, responsible for the daily distribution of food to widows (Act 6:5). After the martyrdom of Stephen, a great persecution arose against the church, and the believers were scattered. Philip went to Samaria and preached the gospel, performing miracles and casting out unclean spirits (Act 8:4-8). Many Samaritans believed and were baptized, including Simon the sorcerer (Act 8:9-13).

Philip was then directed by an angel to go south on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, where he encountered an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians (Act 8:26-28). The eunuch was reading from the book of Isaiah, and Philip explained to him the good news about Jesus (Act 8:29-35). The eunuch believed and was baptized by Philip (Act 8:36-38). After this, Philip was miraculously transported by the Spirit to Azotus, and he continued preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea (Act 8:39-40).

Later, Philip is mentioned as one of the "seven" and referred to as "Philip the evangelist" (Act 21:8). He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy (Act 21:9). Paul and his companions stayed with Philip in Caesarea during Paul's final journey to Jerusalem (Act 21:8-16).

One of the “seven” (Acts 6:5), called also “the evangelist” (21:8, 9). He was one of those who were “scattered abroad” by the persecution that arose on the death of Stephen. He went first to Samaria, where he laboured as an evangelist with much success (8:5-13). While he was there he received a divine command to proceed toward the south, along the road leading from Jerusalem to Gaza. These towns were connected by two roads. The one Philip was directed to take was that which led through Hebron, and thence through a district little inhabited, and hence called “desert.” As he travelled along this road he was overtaken by a chariot in which sat a man of Ethiopia, the eunuch or chief officer of Queen Candace, who was at that moment reading, probably from the Septuagint version, a portion of the prophecies of Isaiah (53:6, 7). Philip entered into conversation with him, and expounded these verses, preaching to him the glad tidings of the Saviour. The eunuch received the message and believed, and was forthwith baptized, and then “went on his way rejoicing.” Philip was instantly caught away by the Spirit after the baptism, and the eunuch saw him no more. He was next found at Azotus, whence he went forth in his evangelistic work till he came to Caesarea. He is not mentioned again for about twenty years, when he is still found at Caesarea (Acts 21:8) when Paul and his companions were on the way to Jerusalem. He then finally disappears from the page of history.