“Phillip The Evangelist“
[By Peter Russom]

When we reflect on the powerful work of love that teaching and preaching the gospel is, Philip may come to mind. In studying the scriptures that describe his effective teaching, we also read in both Acts 8:12 and 8:39 of the powerful response of rejoicing that followed his preaching “the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized” (NKJV).

Consider a familiar song we often sing, “I Want To Be a Worker” (Isaiah Baltzell, 1880). The content of the song speaks to the goals and truths of serving the Lord in these stanzas:

“I want to be a worker for the Lord, I want to love and trust His holy word…I want to lead the erring in the way that leads to heaven above, where all is peace and love…In the kingdom of the Lord.”

In John 1:43, we read how Jesus found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” Philip responded and went to find Nathanael and told him that, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (v. 45, NKJV). Philip was impacted by the power of the words Jesus spoke. We can see Philip’s desire to share what he has learned when he answered “Come and see” (v. 46) to Nathanael’s question about what good can come out of Nazareth.

As we see in the accounts about Philip, he would teach people individually, while other times there would be large audiences that he would address. Philip was active in every way, including the geography he covered. Whether located in the desert or a major city, Philip simply continued to teach about Jesus. In Acts 8:3-6, we learn that, due to Saul’s persecution of the church, those who were scattered “went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them” (NKJV). Easily overlooked in this account is the reaction of the multitudes to the power of God’s word and it being delivered effectively. In Acts 8:6, the scripture gives us a clear view of Philip’s effective teaching as it reads, “And the multitude with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles that he did” (NKJV). His work in serving the Lord demonstrates both Phillip’s humility and his genuine concern for the lost. Surely these actions and conduct apply to one who has “a thirst for righteousness.” In Acts 6:1-6, we see something additional about his character as he was one of the seven men appointed to resolve an important issue because they (v. 3) were of “good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom…” (NKJV).

In a recent lesson, we were reminded of Philip teaching the Ethiopian eunuch. We saw how he was directed by an angel of the Lord to head south toward Gaza, which was in the desert (8:26). He arose, did not hesitate, and went there. Once he saw the man, he ran to the chariot. Philip listened carefully and learned that the man was reading from Isaiah. Attentive and gleaning what the man was in need of, as they conversed, Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading.  Philip then listens again and upon being clear about the eunuch’s question, he “opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him” (NKJV, 8:35). The Ethiopian eunuch believed on Christ, was baptized by Philip, and then went on his way rejoicing.

We can learn a great deal about what effective teaching requires from this event. Philip demonstrated concern for the soul of another by being attentive, listening closely, patiently inquiring with care, and in being ready to preach Jesus. This passage of scripture also informs us in v. 39 that “the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away” (NKJV) and that he arrived in Azotus, ultimately preaching in all of the cities before entering Caesarea. It is helpful for us to know that Philip went to numerous places to preach Christ. Bible scholars and historians note that Azotus (Ashdod) was between Gaza and Joppa. It was one of the five major cities of the Philistines sometimes referred to as the “Philistine Pentapolis.” In the text we read that Philip taught in all of the cities on this journey. When you look at a map of that region, we get a sense of the scale of the geography he traveled.  It is very encouraging to read these accounts as we consider our own efforts to teach the lost.

Fittingly, later on, in Acts 21:8, he is referred specifically to as “Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven…” (NKJV). He is a wonderful example for us in many ways. Most specifically, Philip was fully committed to being a “worker for the Lord” by obeying Jesus’ command, “Follow Me.”