Lesson 10 for September 5, 2015
There are four people in the New Testament
named Philip:
1. The son of Herod the Great. Tetrarch of Iturea and
Trachonitis from 4 BC until 34 AD (Luke 3:1).
2. Another son of Herod the Great. John the Baptist
accused his wife—Herodias—of abandoning Philip and
marrying Herod (Mark 6:17).
3. One of the apostles (Matthew 10:3).
4. Philip, “the evangelist” (Acts 21:8).
The “evangelist” had
several positions within
the Church:
Host
(Acts 21:8)
Evangelist
(Acts 8:40)
Missionary
(Acts 8:26)
Preacher
(Acts 8:5)
Deacon
(Acts 6:5)
“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.” (Acts 6:5)
It is said that “there wasn’t anyone among them
[the Church in Jerusalem] who lacked.”
(Acts 4:34-37).
Nevertheless, a murmuring about unfair
distribution of food for the ones in need emerged.
The accusation was a serious one: the Greekspeaking widows were being discriminated.
The problem was solved by appointing seven
people to “deaconize” [Greek for “serve”] tables
(Acts 6:3).
“The more fully we are imbued with His
Spirit, the more earnestly we shall work
for those around us; and the more we do
for others, the greater will be our love for
the work, and the greater our delight in
following the Master.”
E.G.W. (Colporteur Ministry, cp. 6, pg. 46)
“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria
and preached Christ to them.” (Acts 8:5)
Philip went down to Samaria because
of the persecution Saul began after
Stephen’s death.
He preached the Gospel with great
power in Samaria, despite the rift
between Jews and Samaritans.
That preaching resulted in many
Samaritans accepting Jesus as their
Savior and being baptized (Acts 8:12).
“Not upon the ordained minister only
rests the responsibility of going forth
to fulfill this commission. Everyone
who has received Christ is called to
work for the salvation of his fellow
men.”
E.G.W. (The Acts of the Apostles, cp. 11, pg. 110)
“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.” (Acts 8:26)
Philip fulfilled Jesus’
Great Commission in Acts
1:8. He was a witness in
Judea (as a deacon), in
Samaria (as a preacher)
and to the end of the
earth (as a missionary to
the Ethiopian).
He followed Jesus’
example on the road to
Emmaus (Luke 24:27).
Philip taught a complete
Bible study to the
Ethiopian eunuch.
After being baptized, the treasurer went his way rejoicing. He was willing to
announce the Good News in Africa.
“This Ethiopian represented a large class
who need to be taught by such
missionaries as Philip—men who will
hear the voice of God and go where He
sends them. There are many who are
reading the Scriptures who cannot
understand their true import. All over
the world men and women are looking
wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears
and inquiries go up from souls longing
for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit.
Many are on the verge of the kingdom,
waiting only to be gathered in.”
E.G.W. (The Acts of the Apostles, cp. 11, pg. 109)
“But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing
through, he preached in all the cities till he
came to Caesarea.” (Acts 8:40)
The Holy Spirit carried Philip
to Azotus [Ashdod] to
continue his mission
(Acts 8:39).
He then travelled 100 Km
(62 miles) in an evangelistic
campaign all over the
Mediterranean coast of
Israel.
“The Lord’s agencies must be wholly
consecrated to His service, that they may be
quick to understand their work. As wise
stewards they must take advantage of every
circumstance to teach the grace of God and
draw people to Christ.”
E.G.W. (Christ Triumphant, October 28)
“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. Now this
man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.”
(Acts 21:8-9)
Philip’s Christian character is shown in
those verses. He was forgiving, hospitable,
evangelist and a good family man.
Paul (the old Saul) voted to kill Stephen
who was Philip’s mate. Nevertheless, Philip
hosted him 25 years later.
Philip was one of the first seven deacons.
Now he was known as “the evangelist”
because of his tireless work in spreading
the Gospel.
On the other hand, his four prophetess
daughters proof that he was an evangelist
at home too.
“We are to be consecrated channels, through which
the heavenly life is to flow to others. The Holy
Spirit is to animate and pervade the whole church,
purifying and cementing hearts. Those who have
been buried with Christ in baptism are to rise to
newness of life, giving a living representation of the
life of Christ. Upon us is laid a sacred charge. The
commission has been given us: “Go ye therefore, and
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost: teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am
with you always even unto the end of the world.”
Matthew 28:19, 20, margin. You are dedicated to the
work of making known the gospel of salvation.
Heaven’s perfection is to be your power.”
E.G.W. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, cp. 2, pg. 20)