Philip: an early disciple who become one of the first evangelist and missionary

Philip was an early disciple of Jesus, a simple fisherman from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter, who recognized Jesus as the Messiah and told others (John 1:43-46). Not as well known or discussed as the brothers I have featured already; however, Philip shines in the early church as one of the seven organizers of food distribution, becoming one of the first traveling missionaries and evangelists and one of the first to obey Jesus’ command to take the gospel to all people. What makes Philip so special to study? How is Philip’s evangelism and missionary work important to remember? What lessons can we derive from his life? 

One of Philip’s main characteristics is his questioning attitude. He asked Jesus to show his followers God the Father (John 14:8). Jesus says to see him is to see the Father (John 14:9-14). Jesus is the visible, tangible image of the invisible God. He is the complete revelation of what God is like and the search for God, for truth and reality, ends in Christ. Colossians 1:15 says “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Jesus’s response to him is very telling. The key lesson here is that God welcomes our questions and uses them to teach us. He may not always answer them, especially to our satisfaction; but God welcomes any sincere question from an earnest heart and a humble spirit. “Call to me, and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). However, insincere questions, or questions from a hypocritical heart, are not welcome. For example, the Pharisees questioning Jesus, trying to trap him, and Jesus refusing to answer them (John 7:53–8:11; Matthew 21:23–27; 22:15–22). 

Philip is considered one of the first missionaries and evangelists. The Book of Acts features two main events to his efforts. In Acts 8:5-8, 14-17, Philip goes to a city in Samaria and proclaims the gospel there. The crowds saw his miraculous signs and they paid close attention to what he said. With evil spirits expelled and many healings, there was a great joy spread through the city as they believed. Later, Peter and John would arrive and pray over them for the Holy Spirit to come upon the new believers. In Acts 8:26-38, an angel of the Lord comes to Philip, telling him to head south on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. While on the road, Philip comes across an Ethiopian eunuch, who was an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candance, queen of the Ethopians. This man had come to Jerusalem to work, reading from the book of Isaiah on the way home. Philip explains the passage to him and gives him the good news of Jesus. The man believed and was baptized. Philip would later travel throughout the region until he reached Caesarea where he would stay and later welcome Paul into his home (Acts 21:8-10). 

Philip’s life presents two lessons. First, the gospel is for all. to non-believers, he is a reminder that the gospel is for you as well. Jesus Christ is available to all and meant for everyone without exception. Romans 1:16 tells us that “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” To believers, he is a reminder that we are not free to disqualify anyone from hearing about Jesus. Jesus gives the disciples the Great Commission in Mark 16:15-16 to “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” and “that whoever believes will be saved.” We need to remember that while we, as humans, are swayed by physical appearance, God sees the heart of the person and we need to actively remember that God sees what we do not. Second, mass responses, as with the Samaritans, and the individual, as with the Ethiopian man, to the gospel, are valuable. Whenever someone accepts Jesus Christ, whether it is en masse or a lonely person, heaven celebrates. In Luke 15:7, Jesus says there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents.” 

In conclusion, Philip was a small feature in the gospels; however, he takes a greater role in the early church. He was a part of a group that made sure that all widows got the resources they needed, regardless if they were Jews or non-Jews. He is considered one of the early evangelists and missionaries as he took the Great Commission and did his part. He spoke to crowds as well as an individual. The good news is available to all and we, as believers, need to talk about the good news to all. And it is good to remember that even when a single person comes to belief, heaven rejoices.