Philip mentioned in Acts 8.4-8 is Philip the evangelist, one of the seven deacons chosen by the Church of Jerusalem to serve tables (Acts 6.5).
Not to be confused
He must not be confused with Philip the apostle, one of the Twelve, a native of (John 1.43-44; John 12.21-22).
What we know about him
- His election as deacon: He is one of the seven men “of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” chosen to serve the Hellenist widows (Acts 6.1-6). Like Stephen, he bears a Greek name, suggesting that he belonged to the Hellenist Jewish community.
- His ministry in Samaria: After the persecution set off by Stephen's death, Philip goes down to Samaria, where he preaches Christ with power, performing miracles and bringing great joy to the city (Acts 8.5-8).
- The evangelization of the Ethiopian eunuch: The Spirit then leads him on the road to Gaza, where he proclaims the Gospel to a high Ethiopian official and baptizes him (Acts 8.26-40).
- His life in Caesarea: Years later, Luke mentions that Paul stayed with “Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven,” settled in Caesarea with his four prophesying daughters (Acts 21.8-9).
His significance
Philip is the first to cross the ethnic boundaries of the Gospel by preaching to the , those despised “half-Jews” (John 4.9). He thus prepares the wider opening toward the Gentiles that would be realized with Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10).