Philip The Evangelist

by Roy Dickson, Melbourne, Australia | Category: Lives As Lessons | Jun 1996

Practical need in the fledgling, but booming Church of God in Jerusalem brought about the coming into prominence of our study character this month Philip appears in the Scripture as one of seven who were described as 'of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom' (Acts 6:3). Grumbling had arisen in the Jerusalem Church, and the apostles needed faithful men to give practical service to widows in the assembly. We can safely assume that Philip was not one of the murmurers and he was certainly a man suited to the task of putting the grumblings to rest. Of his background and family we know nothing, but what counted in God's sight was where his heart was and the manner of his life.

So often promising starts in life fizzle out. The Lord's parable of the sower in which the seed falling on rocky ground or amongst thorns fails to produce a crop bears testimony to this. So, when we move forward to Philip some years later, what do we find? He is described as 'the evangelist' (Acts 21:8), meaning the messenger of good. What a lovely epithet given by the Holy Spirit! Let us look at what the Scriptures tell us about him, and learn.

Those early days of the Church of God in Jerusalem when 'the Word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly' (Acts 6:7), must have been a wonderful experience for those men and women who had turned to the Lord. However, as we have seen, the Church had its problems with claims of favouritism requiring swift resolution by the apostles, and the appointment of the seven brothers to look after practical matters. The fact that they were all of good report indicates their personal credibility before the Church. This is an important starting point for those in responsibility. The Lord looks upon the heart, and in describing them as 'full of the Spirit and of wisdom', sees they were men of real spiritual character.

More serious problems were to follow from external sources as Satan sought to snuff out the burgeoning Church. Stephen's martyrdom provoked an outburst of persecution against those who belonged to the Way. Yet as the Church was scattered the gospel was spread far and wide, thwarting the devices of Satan. And so it is in Samaria where we meet up again with Philip.

There he proclaimed the Christ, the first man recorded as preaching the

gospel to non-Jews, and many Samaritans received the Word of God:

however it subsequently required the laying-on of hands of Peter and John before the Holy Spirit fell upon those who bad believed Philip's words. What be did preach was the whole counsel of God, and those who believed were baptized into the Name of the Lord Jesus. Philip's preaching must have been 'in demonstration of the Spirit and of power' (1 Cor. 2:4) for by that one man's preaching, the whole city was filled with joy (Acts 8:8). The people listened to his words, understood them and saw the mighty signs which accompanied them as evil spirits were cast Out and others were healed of crippling diseases. The Spirit-filled brother who engaged in humble deacon service in Jerusalem was no less Spirit-filled as he told these outsiders to the commonwealth of Israel the wonderful news of 'the kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ' (Acts 8:12).

Amongst those converted and baptized was a man given to the occult, Simon, who had long deluded the people with his magic. Here was the power of God in the gospel preaching of one man confronting the realm of Satan. The victory had already been gained at Calvary and Satan's stranglehold on man had been broken by the shedding of the precious blood of Jesus. How powerfully must Philip have proclaimed the Saviour! such great numbers saved and baptized through one man's preaching!

Is the same power to save available today? Of course it is. Does it depend on the power of man? Of course it doesn't. Salvation is of the Lord, and yet God uses the agency of men and women whose lives are yielded to Him to be His 'messengers of good'. Yielded lives! These are lives where not only the Holy Spirit indwells following conversion, but where the depth of love for the Lord is shown by keeping His Word, the Father and Son will also come to dwell within (John 14:23).

Are our lives yielded to God to this extent? Does our preaching carry power? Is it formal or impassioned? Philip was on fire for the Lord, his life was in tune with the will of God and despite the persecution elsewhere, he was not cowed into an apologetic presentation of Christ. No, be knew that his message was from heaven and he used his gift of evangelism, as led by the Spirit, to God's glory. This was a mighty working of the Spirit of God in the early days of this dispensation of grace; it is true we are now in the last days when many 'will not endure the sound doctrine' (2 Tim. 4:3). But

Paul's instruction to the young Timothy in verse 5 is valid today too, 'do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry'.

From this spectacular event in which many were brought to the Lord, an angel told Philip to go towards the south. He bad no illusions as to what he was going to for the angel told him 'the same is desert' (Acts 8:26). After his Samaria experience we could excuse Philip for feeling a sense of anticlimax. Here he was heading for a desert. Who would there be to preach to in such a desolate area? Nevertheless, he went. Please read what happened to him there in Acts 8:26 to

40.

His encounter with the chancellor of Queen Candace's treasury is a scriptural gem, well loved by many. The fact that in such an unlikely spot Philip met such a dignitary, an Ethiopian and a eunuch, probably a Jewish proselyte, and that he was invited up into his chariot to preach the gospel to him is a marvel of God's grace. Firstly, of course, we should note Philip's willing obedience to the angel to go south and then to go near. Then, having gone up into the chariot it was clear that the eunuch needed a guide in his reading of the Scriptures. What an opportunity! Imagine someone asking us what Isaiah chapter 53 really meant!

Note that Philip began preaching from the very verse the Ethiopian was reading. We should not preach from a starting point of our own choice, but rather, as Paul did at Athens from a point where an audience, whether one or a hundred, can relate to the message (Acts 17:22).

As he had done in Santa, Philip was again faithful to preach baptism by immersion, not as an accessory to salvation, but as an integral component of God's message of hope to man. The Ethiopian did not hesitate, but requested baptism on the spot! We now see a wonderful provision by God. Remember the place was a desert, and the eunuch said 'Behold here is water' (v.36). God provided water in the desert for a saved man to be baptized in. What a provision!

We cannot say what the result of this man's conversion was amongst his own people, but we can say that God used Philip to bring the glad tidings to two peoples Samaritans and Ethiopians. Philip's willing obedience to go south was crucial; had be dug his heels in and refused to budge from Samaria, declaring 'I began this work why should I move?' the Lord's work would have been hindered. God will use each one of us as He sees fit (1 Cor. 3:7).

In the desert of Southern Judea there were no crowds, no accompanying signs nor casting out of demons, but there was one thing which was exactly the same as in the city of Samaria: the Ethiopian heard and understood just as the Samaritans had given 'heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken' (Acts 8:6). He preached and they understood; let our preaching be plain and clear.

The Ethiopian went home rejoicing and Philip was taken away by the Spirit and continued preaching along the coastal strip until he came to Caesarea, and it is in this city where we have our final encounter with him (Acts 21:7-9). In this portion he is given the epithet of evangelist and we learn that he gave hospitality to Paul and his companions and that he had four believing daughters who prophesied. His gift of evangelism had been well used, not only amongst the crowds in the cities and the one-to-one conversations, but also in his own home. He did not neglect to be a messenger of good' to his own family.

Philip faithfully continued telling the good news of God's salvation, the whole counsel of God, and only eternity will reveal how many souls were saved through his Spirit-filled preaching. This man 'of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom' fulfilled his ministry. Shall we imitate his faith and good works, telling others of the love of the Lord Jesus and of the kingdom of God? Let us do so gladly that God's may be the glory.

Roy Dickson, Melbourne, Australia | Jun 1996
Lives As Lessons