He is often referred to as Philip the Evangelist to distinguish him from Philip the Apostle. They were two different people, but both were servants of God.
Philip the Deacon
Before he was Philip the Evangelist, he was Philip the Deacon. Philip was one of seven men who were chosen in (Acts 6) to help with the daily distribution of food so the Apostles could focus on preaching and praying. While they were not referred to as deacons at the time, most scholars consider these seven men to be the first seven deacons in the Bible, and Philip the Deacon was one of them. (Acts 6:1-6)
From A Deacon To An Evangelist
By the time we get to (Acts 8), Philip has become a successful evangelist. In the midst of a great wave of persecution, he went to the city of Samaria and preached the Good News about Jesus. We read where he performed miracles, evil spirits were cast out, and many people were healed. It was in Samaria where Simon the Sorcerer believed Philip’s preaching and was baptized. (Acts 8:1-13)
The Ethiopian Eunich
Leaving Samaria, Philip was told by an angel to head south toward Gaza. On the way he meets a eunuch who is the treasurer of Ethiopia. When Philip hears the eunuch reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah, he asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” Philip sits with the eunuch and preaches to him about Jesus.
As they are traveling down the road, the eunuch sees some water and asked, “Why can’t I be baptized?” They stopped the carriage they were riding in and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. Philip found himself farther north at a town called Azotus. The Bible says he preached the Good News there and in every town along the way until he came to Caesarea. (Acts 8:26-40)
Philip The Evangelist Is Visited By Paul
Philip is mentioned only one more time in (Acts 21:8-9). It is years later, but he was still living in Caesarea when Paul and his traveling companion visited and stayed at Philip’s home. Verse 8 specifically refers to him as Philip the Evangelist, as well as one of the Seven. According to verse 9 he had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.
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