Philip the Evangelist

In All the Cities

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Philip is one of the great helpers in the book of Acts. Many years after the desert road, people still called him “Philip the evangelist” (Acts 21:8).

One of the seven. Philip was first chosen to help serve food to widows in Jerusalem (Acts 6:5). He was faithful in a small job.

To Samaria. When trouble came to the church in Jerusalem, Philip went to Samaria and “preached Christ to them” (Acts 8:5).

Sent to one man. Then God sent him to a desert road to tell one man from Ethiopia about Jesus.

Town after town. After that, “Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea” (Acts 8:40). Azotus and Caesarea were towns near the sea.

A home in Caesarea. Many years later, Paul and his friends “came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him” (Acts 21:8). Philip was still there, still serving Jesus.

An evangelist. An evangelist is someone who tells the good news about Jesus. That was Philip’s work for the rest of his life.

A family that served God. Philip “had four virgin daughters who prophesied” (Acts 21:9). Virgin here means unmarried. God used them to speak His messages.

A welcoming home. Philip opened his house to Paul and all his friends. Telling about Jesus and caring for His people went together in Philip’s life.

A gift from Jesus. Jesus gives His church people with different jobs. “He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11).

The good news. Philip always told the same message. We have all sinned. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and God raised Him from the dead. Everyone who believes in Him is forgiven.

What we learn. Philip was faithful in every place God sent him: at a food table, in a big city, on an empty road and in his own home.

What to do. Ask God to show you one person who needs to hear about Jesus this week.

Philip served Jesus in Jerusalem, in Samaria, on a desert road and in Caesarea. In every place he told people about Jesus.

Acts 6:5. Philip was named second among the seven chosen to serve the widows. His work for the church began at the tables.

Acts 8:5. When persecution scattered the church, “Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.” He carried the good news across an old wall between Jews and Samaritans.

The desert road. Then he obeyed an angel’s command to go south, where he preached Jesus to one official from Ethiopia.

Acts 8:40. “But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.” Azotus was the old Philistine city of Ashdod. Caesarea was a Roman port on the coast.

Acts 21:8. Most likely about twenty years later, Paul and his companions “entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.” Philip had settled in the city where his journey had ended.

Euangelistes. The Greek word euangelistes (say: yoo-an-geh-lis-TACE) means one who announces good news. Philip is the only person in the New Testament called an evangelist by name.

Acts 21:9. “Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.” His house had become a place where God’s Word was spoken. The Holy Spirit gives His gifts to men and women, young and old.

Ephesians 4:11-12. Christ “gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry.” Evangelists are His gift to the church.

Hospitality. Philip opened his home to Paul’s whole group. An evangelist’s life is not only preaching; it is also welcoming people.

One message. Whether in Samaria, on the road or in Caesarea, Philip “preached Jesus” (8:35): His death on the cross for our sins, His resurrection, and forgiveness for all who believe. That good news does not change from place to place, and no one is saved by being good enough.

Application. Philip served faithfully in each place God put him. Ask God to make you faithful where you are now, and ready to speak of Jesus there.

Do the Work of an Evangelist

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Paul once wrote a letter to a young pastor named Timothy. He told him, “Do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5). Timothy was a pastor, and Paul wanted him to tell the good news too.

Be ready. Paul also wrote, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). In season means when it is easy. Out of season means when it is not.

Philip was ready. When the official asked about Isaiah, Philip did not have to go home and study first. He knew the Scriptures, and he knew Jesus.

Know the Word. To tell others about Jesus, it helps to know your Bible. Paul reminded Timothy that the Scriptures “are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15).

Start where people are. Philip began with the very verses the man was reading (Acts 8:35). He listened first, and then he explained.

Not ashamed. Paul told Timothy, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:8). Testimony means what is told about someone.

Hard times too. Paul also told Timothy to “endure afflictions” (2 Timothy 4:5). Afflictions are troubles. Telling about Jesus is not always easy, but God gives strength.

God does the saving. We tell, and God saves. Philip did not make the man believe. God used His Word and His Holy Spirit to bring him to faith.

Everyone has a part. Not everyone is an evangelist like Philip. But everyone who knows Jesus can tell what Jesus has done.

The message we tell. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Why we tell. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and He is the only way to be saved. “Nor is there salvation in any other” (Acts 4:12). Being good cannot save anyone, but Jesus saves everyone who trusts Him.

Kindly and gently. Philip asked a kind question and sat beside the man. We share Jesus with love, not by arguing or showing off.

What we learn. Being ready to tell about Jesus starts with knowing Him and knowing His Word.

What to do. This week, learn one verse that tells the good news, like John 3:16. Then be ready to share it.

Philip was called “the evangelist” (Acts 21:8). Paul told Timothy, a pastor, to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5). The title belongs to a few; the work belongs to every believer in some way.

2 Timothy 4:2. “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” In season and out of season means when it is welcome and when it is not.

Longsuffering. Longsuffering means patience that lasts. People often need time to hear, think and ask questions, as the official did.

2 Timothy 4:5. “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” Paul joined telling the good news with watchfulness and endurance.

Ready with the Word. Philip could begin “at this Scripture” (Acts 8:35) because he knew how Isaiah pointed to Jesus. Paul reminded Timothy that the Scriptures “are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15).

Starting where people are. Philip listened before he spoke. He asked a question, accepted an invitation and began with the man’s own reading.

2 Timothy 1:8. “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.” Paul wrote from prison. Shame and fear are real pressures, and God gives power to stand.

The content. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Jesus died on the cross for our sins. An evangelist does not invent a message; he passes on the one he received.

The urgency. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). No one is saved by good works or religion. That is why the good news must be told.

God’s part. Philip spoke, but the Holy Spirit had already brought them together and opened the Scripture to the man. We are responsible to tell; God is the One who saves.

Gentleness. Philip was invited up into the chariot and sat beside the man. Sharing Jesus is not winning an argument; it is pointing a person to the Savior.

Application. Learn to explain the gospel in your own words with one or two verses. Then pray for an open door, and be ready in season and out of season.

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