Philip (evangelist)

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Greek Philippos (“lover of horses”), a common Hellenistic name in the Roman period.
• Period/Era: Early Church; Apostolic Age (Second Temple Period within a Roman Imperial Context).
• Main References: Acts 6:1–6; Acts 8:4–40; Acts 21:8–9.
• Key Connections: The Jerusalem church leadership; the Seven appointed for service (Acts 6); Samaritans and an Ethiopian official (Acts 8); Paul and his companions in Caesarea (Acts 21).

Who was Philip (evangelist)?

Philip was one of the Seven chosen in Jerusalem to serve the church’s practical needs (Acts 6:1–6).
After persecution in Jerusalem, he proclaimed Christ in Samaria and performed signs (Acts 8:4–8).
He also explained Isaiah to an Ethiopian official and baptized him (Acts 8:26–39).
Later he lived in Caesarea and hosted Paul, being identified as “the evangelist” (Acts 21:8).

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: Appointed among the Seven in Jerusalem to address community distribution concerns (Acts 6:1–6).
• Event 2: Proclaimed Christ in Samaria, where many responded with joy (Acts 8:5–8).
• Event 3: Guided the Ethiopian official in Scripture and baptized him on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza (Acts 8:26–39).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Philip’s ministry portrays the early church’s spread of the gospel through both public proclamation and personal Scripture-based instruction.

Key Verse

"Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus." — Acts 8:35, ESV