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People

Philip

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

The name Philip means “warlike; a lover of horses”

MaleNew Testament eraNew Testament1 book19 verses

Summary

A man living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Acts 6:5; referred to as Philip (Φίλιππος).

Profile

Philip was among the first to share the good news about Jesus with people outside Judea. Highly respected by early Christians, he was one of seven men selected to manage the food distribution program for needy believers in Jerusalem (Acts 6:1–6). Philip was a powerful and effective evangelist (preacher of the good news) through the Spirit's power.

After Stephen's death, Christians fled Jerusalem (Acts 8:1–5). Philip took the message of Christ to Samaria, a city with diverse people. There, he healed many and drove out evil spirits, and people eagerly accepted his message (acts 8:5–8). Many, including a well-known sorcerer named Simon, were baptized (Acts 8:9–13).

An angel then guided Philip to travel southwest from Jerusalem toward Gaza (Acts 8:26). There, the Spirit led him to meet Ethiopia's treasurer, who was returning home from Jerusalem (Acts 8:27–28). The Ethiopian asked Philip to explain Isaiah 53. Philip shared the message about Jesus (Acts 8:30–35) and baptized the man by the roadside (8:36–38). The Spirit of God then suddenly took Philip to Azotus (Acts 8:39–40). He preached the message there and traveled through coastal towns until reaching Caesarea, a large Roman city, where he likely settled (Acts 8:40; 21:8–9).

Many years later, Paul stayed overnight at Philip's home in Caesarea (Acts 21:8). By then, people knew Philip as Philip the Evangelist. He had four unmarried daughters, and all of them had the gift of prophecy (Acts 21:9).

Philip represents early Christian evangelists. The Holy Spirit empowered and guided them to confirm their message (see also Acts 1:8; 3:4–8; 5:12–16; 6:8; 10:9–20; 13:2; 16:6–10; 19:11–12; 20:22–23). Philip followed the Spirit's power and guidance, and God used him to spread the good news beyond Judea.

Passages for Further Study

Acts 6:5; 8:4–13, 26–40; 21:8–9

Events

Dates are approximate

Glossary entries

Philip

Alternative names

Mentions

Includes 3 verses that refer to Philip without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.

  1. Acts 6:5
    This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
  2. Acts 8:5
    Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them.
  3. Acts 8:6
    The crowds all paid close attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform.
  4. Acts 8:12
    But when they believed Philip as he preached the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
  5. Acts 8:13
    Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed.
  6. Acts 8:26
    Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”
  7. Acts 8:27Referred to, not named
    So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship,
  8. Acts 8:29
    The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to that chariot and stay by it.”
  9. Acts 8:30
    So Philip ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
  10. Acts 8:31
    “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
  11. Acts 8:34
    “Tell me,” said the eunuch, “who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?”
  12. Acts 8:35
    Then Philip began with this very Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
  13. Acts 8:36Referred to, not named
    As they traveled along the road and came to some water, the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is there to prevent me from being baptized?”
  14. Acts 8:37
    —
  15. Acts 8:38
    And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
  16. Acts 8:39
    When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing.
  17. Acts 8:40
    But Philip appeared at Azotus and traveled through that region, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
  18. Acts 21:8
    Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven.
  19. Acts 21:9Referred to, not named
    He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.