Philip
maleNew TestamentMeaning: “Lover of horses”
One of the first seven deacons who became a pioneering evangelist — preaching in Samaria and leading the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ.
Biography
Philip the evangelist was one of the seven men "of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom" chosen as the first deacons to serve the Jerusalem church's widows (Acts 6:5). When persecution scattered the believers, he became a pioneering evangelist. (He is distinct from Philip the apostle.)
Revival in Samaria
Philip preached Christ in a city of Samaria with great power and joy, casting out demons and healing — "and there was great joy in that city" (Acts 8:5–8), opening the gospel to the Samaritans.
The Ethiopian eunuch
Directed by an angel and the Spirit, Philip ran to a chariot carrying an Ethiopian official reading Isaiah 53. Beginning at that scripture, he "preached unto him Jesus," and the eunuch believed and was baptized on the spot (Acts 8:26–39) — carrying the gospel toward Africa. Philip later settled in Caesarea with four daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:8–9).
Life Timeline
Preaches Christ with great joy in Samaria
Leads the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ
Themes & lessons from Philip
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Philip appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
17 verses in 1 bookActs17 verses
Acts 1:13
And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
Acts 6:5
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Acts 8:5
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
Acts 8:6
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
Acts 8:12
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:13
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. miracles: Gr. signs and great miracles
Acts 8:26
And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
Acts 8:29
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
Acts 8:30
And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
Acts 8:31
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
Acts 8:34
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
Acts 8:35
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
Acts 8:37
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Acts 8:38
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Acts 8:39
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Acts 8:40
But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
Acts 21:8
And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
Frequently asked about Philip
Who was Philip in the Bible?
One of the first seven deacons who became a pioneering evangelist — preaching in Samaria and leading the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ.
What does the name Philip mean?
The name Philip means “Lover of horses”.
What did Philip do in the Bible?
Philip served as evangelist, deacon.
Where does Philip appear in the Bible?
Philip is mentioned 17 times across 1 book: Acts.
What can we learn from Philip?
The story of Philip touches on themes of ethiopia, baptism, zeal, religious, eunuch — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Philip's life.
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