Philip,
the Deacon and Evangelist January 14, 2017
Let’s
look at the character of Philip
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. ilip. 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
(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.
Philip Proclaims Christ
in Samaria
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.”
(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 by the Holy Spirit and received a warm welcome among
the Samaritans who came to hear the word.
(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 resisted to come out of many who
were possessed
Individuals who were paralyzed and lame were
healed, by speaking in the name of Christ.
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, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom
of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, faith came by hearing
(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.
(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,
(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
(33) IN
HIS HUMILIATION HIS JUSTICE WAS TAKEN AWAY, AND WHO WILL DECLARE HIS
GENERATION? FOR HIS LIFE IS TAKEN FROM THE EARTH."
(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. Daughters 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
· First preacher of the Gospel in Samaria
·
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.
