Philip,
the Deacon and Evangelist June
13, 2020
Let’s
look at the character, life and person of Philip, the Deacon
Philip
was first mention, about A.D. 35-36, and in 3 sections of Book of Acts. Very little is known about Philip.
Acts 6:1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was
multiplying, there arose a complaint against
the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because
their widows
were neglected in the daily
distribution.
The Hellenists
were Jews born out of Palestine. They were so called, because they spoke the
Greek language.
The ‘Hebrews’
were the pure Jews who, not residing necessarily in Palestine, still used the
Hebrew Scriptures and spoke the dialect of the sacred tongue then current—the
Aramaic. The distinction between the Grecians and the Hebrews was not one of
nationality, but of language.
(2) Then the twelve
summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable
that we should leave
the word of God and serve tables.
They are never called deacons, but the
Greek word rendered to serve, is the verb form of which the word deacon is the
noun. The usual view is that they were deacons.
The start of
“deacons”—men who serve.
Serve: means to be an attendant, use the
office of a deacon.
(3) Therefore,
brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy
Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
Seven – means
completeness, perfection,
and wholeness, used over 700 times in the Bible
Of honest report. a reputation was a
guarantee that they would handle the trust faithfully.
Full of the Holy Spirit. Whose lives indicated the
fruit of the Spirit.
Of wisdom. Prudence,
discretion and judgment would be
essential.
Whom we may appoint. The Apostles Ordain Philip into the office.
(4) but we
will give ourselves continually to prayer and
to the ministry
of the word."
This was the Apostles primary purpose. Observe that the apostles regard prayer of
equal importance with preaching, but prayer was mention first.
(5) And the
saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the
Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a
proselyte from Antioch,
The names are all
Greek. Remember, the Jews to have two
names, one Hebrew and the other Greek / Roman
They chose Stephen. He is specially
described on account of the glory of martyrdom that so soon followed.
Philip. Distinguished as "Philip the
evangelist." The others are not really mentioned again. 2nd name after Stephen in the group of 7.
Proselyte: someone who had been converted to Judaism and been
circumcised. A
Gentile.
(6) whom they set before the apostles;
and when they
had prayed, they laid hands on them.
Prayed first,
then Laid hands
on Philip: Confirm to this
office. Notice Philip received his
commission and authority from the apostles.
(7) Then the
word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were
obedient to the faith.
“..many of the priests”: They actually
converted members of the priesthood. Is this why the Jewish Leadership went after the Church.
Philip Proclaims Christ
in Samaria
Acts 8:3 But Saul kept trying
to destroy the
church. Going into one house after another, he began dragging off men
and women and throwing them in prison.
Act 8:4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.
Scattered saints: Because of persecution in Jerusalem by Paul
(5)
Then Philip
went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.
City of Samaria
is north of Jerusalem (on a high hill). Down means going down hill.
Saul’s persecution drove
Philip to Samaria. The Samaritans were looked down upon by the Jews;
they were sometimes viewed as: half-Jews or just hated by the Jews.
(6) And
the multitudes
with one accord heeded the things
spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
Philip was quite
a speaker and did miracles and healings by the Holy Spirit and received a warm
welcome among the Samaritans who came to hear the word.
Remember, Jesus went first to Samaria and talked with the women at the well,
then stayed for two days and preached the Kingdom of God.
(7) For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came
out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were
healed.
Unclean spirits {impure spirits} resisted to come
out of many who were possessed; Individuals who were paralyzed; and lame were
healed; by speaking
in the Name of Jesus.
Matthew 7:22 Many
will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in
Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'
John 14:12-14
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do
he will do also; and greater works
than these he will do, because I go to My Father. (13)
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be
glorified in the Son. (14) If you ask anything in
My name, I will do it.
(8) And
there was great
joy in that city.
The change to the city people brought on by
the Gospel, as well as the healing of the sick and afflicted individuals which
were restored to health.
Simon the Magician
Believes
(9) But there was a
certain man
called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and
astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was
someone great,
(10) to
whom they all
gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is
the great power of God."
(11) And
they heeded him because he had astonished them with
his sorceries
for a long time.
(12) But when they believed Philip as he preached the things
concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were
baptized.
They believe Philip, {important} preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom
of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, faith came by hearing the
word.
(13)
Then Simon
himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with
Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.
Philip was doing miracles and signs
(14) Now
when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that
Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
This is big time
News. “...Peter and John”: Always paired
together.
(15)
who, when they had come down, prayed
for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
(16) For
as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus.
(17)
Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
After baptism, we are to lay hands on the person
who was baptize to receive the Holy Spirit.
If this, laying on hands, has not been done, maybe you have not received
the Holy Spirit.
Remember, the Apostle Paul had the same
situation.
Acts 19:5-6 On hearing this,
they were baptized
in the name of the Lord Jesus. (6) When Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on
them, and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy.
(18) And
when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
(19)
saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands
may receive the Holy Spirit."
Simon offered
money! He didn’t ask for the Spirit himself, he wanted the power to give the
Spirit.
(20) But
Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!
(21) You
have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of
God.
(22) Repent therefore of
this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your
heart may be forgiven you.
Simon still had
the opportunity to repent
(23) For
I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and
bound by
iniquity."
(24)
Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none
of the things which you have spoken may come upon me."
(25) So
when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to
Jerusalem, preaching
the gospel in many villages of the
Samaritans.
(26) Now
an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the
south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is
desert.
A messenger,
angel, spoke with Philip (just a matter
of fact)
(27) So he arose and
went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her
treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship,
·
Eunuch has great authority
·
Eunuch charge of all her treasure
·
Eunuch came to Jerusalem to worship
(28) was
returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.
(29)
Then the
Spirit said to Philip, "Go near
and overtake this chariot."
(30) So Philip ran to him,
and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
(31) And
he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to
come up and sit with him.
(32) The place in the Scripture which he read was
this: "HE WAS LED AS A SHEEP TO THE SLAUGHTER; AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS
SHEARER IS SILENT, SO HE OPENED NOT HIS MOUTH.
The passage is
from Isaiah 52 & 53
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and
he was afflicted, yet he didn't open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the
slaughter, as a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open
his mouth.
(33) IN
HIS HUMILIATION HIS JUSTICE WAS TAKEN AWAY, AND WHO WILL DECLARE HIS
GENERATION? FOR HIS
LIFE IS TAKEN FROM THE EARTH."
Isaiah 53:8 By oppression and
judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut
off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was
punished.
(34) So
the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?"
(35)
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.
Preached unto him
Jesus” He preached a person: The Lord Jesus
(36) Now
as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said,
"See, here
is water. What hinders me from being baptized?"
(37)
Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may."
And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
(38) So
he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water,
and he baptized
him.
(39) Now
when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the
Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went
on his way rejoicing.
An impressive
exit
(40) But
Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in
all the cities
till he came to Caesarea.
Azotus = ancient city
of Ashdod.
Caesarea: - Political
capital of Judea on the coast. It was built
by Herod in honor of Augustus. Between Carmel and Joppa, 55 mi NW of Jerusalem
on the Mediterranean.
We lose sight of
Philip for a time.
Paul heading to Jerusalem - About 25 years later
– about 60 AD
Act 21:8 On
the next day we who were Paul's companions departed and came to Caesarea,
and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
You think it was
an interesting
conversation between the Apostle Paul
and Philip, about being forced to flee Jerusalem?
Philip is now listed as an
evangelist and probably used his
house for the place to meeting. Well
off?
(9) Now
this man had four
virgin daughters who prophesied.
Philip was
married. Daughter’s implication as unmarried.
Joel 2:28 "And it shall come to pass afterward That
I will pour out
My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your
old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.
Other Women who
prophesy Miriam (Ex 15:20,21); Deborah (Judg 4:3-5); Isaiah’s wife (Isa 8:3);
Huldah (2 Kgs 22:14-20) are Old Testament examples, and in the New Testament, Elisabeth, Mary,
Anna (Luke 2:36), and the four daughters of Philip.
What do we really
know about Philip from the Scriptures?
Philip was introduced as a Deacon in Acts 6;
and as an evangelist in Acts 21
Philip
had these characteristics:
·
Became a great preacher, a fisherman of individuals
·
He could be trusted with responsibility and authority
·
Of honest report, would handle the trust faithfully.
·
Full of the Holy Spirit. Whose life indicated the fruit of
the Spirit.
·
Of wisdom. Prudence, discretion and judgment would be
essential.
·
Whom we may appoint. The Apostles Ordain Philip into the office.
·
Philip lived in close touch
with his Lord. The Spirit said
and Philip heard
·
Philip was absolutely at God’s
disposal. Ready for anything
·
Philip was a man of
unquestioning obedience.
·
Philip knew how to handle the
Word of God.
·
Philip spoke much about the
Lord Jesus, always uplifting Jesus in his preaching
·
Philip was able to overcome
discouragement.
·
Philip was a man “full of the Holy Spirit through his
healing, signs and miracles
· First preacher of the Gospel in Samaria, after Jesus did
women at the well.
·
He knew the will of God and understood how to carry it out in His life
Eusebius
Church History Chapter XXXL
Eusebius wrote: Renowned,
the daughters of Philip for the prophecy gifts.
Philip and his four virgin daughters who were prophetesses are said to have
been buried in Hierapolis, Turkey, Asia.
To me, Jesus was able to use Philip mightily to bring the
Gospel to many, many individuals. He was
a blessing for many, many years.
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