Philip was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He is mentioned several times in the New Testament books of the Bible. Here is an overview of the key information the Bible provides about Philip:
Philip’s Calling
Philip was originally from Bethsaida in Galilee (John 1:44). He was among the first disciples who responded to Jesus’ call to “Follow me” and became his disciple (John 1:43). The other three were Andrew, Peter, and Nathanael.
Philip as One of the Twelve Disciples
Philip was chosen by Jesus to be one of the twelve disciples (Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:14). The twelve disciples were Jesus’ closest followers who accompanied him during his earthly ministry. The book of John provides details about Philip’s interactions with Jesus and his role among the twelve.
Philip’s Background and Personality
Based on the biblical accounts, a few key facts emerge about Philip’s background and personality:
- He was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter (John 1:44)
- He seemed to have a thoughtful, skeptical side to his personality. When told about Jesus, Philip questioned how the prophecies could be fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth (John 1:45). But he was also open-minded enough to come and see for himself.
- He had connections with others who followed Jesus – he went and told Nathanael about finding the Messiah (John 1:45).
- He was practical – when faced with the challenge of feeding the five thousand, he was quick to point out their limited resources (John 6:7).
Philip’s Interactions with Jesus
Several passages in the Gospel of John highlight conversations between Jesus and Philip:
- At the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus questioned Philip about where they could buy bread (John 6:5-7).
- When some Greeks came to see Jesus, they approached Philip first. Philip went and told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip together told Jesus (John 12:20-22).
- At the Last Supper, Philip made a request of Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us” (John 14:8). Jesus responded that anyone who had seen him had seen the Father (John 14:9-11).
These accounts give a glimpse into Philip’s role among the disciples – he was approachable, practical, and interested in bringing people to Jesus.
Philip as a Witness after Jesus’ Ascension
After Jesus ascended to heaven, Philip continued the work of spreading the gospel. Key highlights:
- He was present with the other disciples in the upper room in Jerusalem after Jesus ascended (Acts 1:13).
- When the believers were scattered after persecution arose, Philip went to Samaria and preached Christ there (Acts 8:5).
- Philip preached in Samaria and performed miracles, healing the lame and driving out demons (Acts 8:6-8).
- He explained the gospel to an Ethiopian eunuch he encountered and baptized him (Acts 8:26-39).
- Later he settled in Caesarea, where he was visited by Paul on his way to Jerusalem (Acts 21:8-9). Four unmarried daughters of Philip’s had the gift of prophecy.
These accounts depict Philip as one actively engaged in spreading the gospel and building up the early church outside of Judea.
Key Points about Philip
Drawing these passages together, here are some key facts that emerge about this Philip’s identity and role:
- Philip was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. He responded early to Jesus’ call to follow him.
- He seemed to have a thoughtful, questioning nature initially, but came to believe Jesus was the Messiah.
- He had social connections with others like Andrew, Peter, and Nathanael who followed Jesus.
- He played a practical role among the twelve – noticing logistics like food for crowds.
- He acted as an intermediary between Jesus and the Greeks who came to see him.
- He continued to preach the gospel and convert others after Jesus ascended to heaven.
- He served in expanding the early church beyond Jerusalem to Samaria and the region.
In summary, Philip was a dedicated disciple who followed Jesus from the early days of his ministry. His thoughtful nature, practical insight, and missionary spirit made him a constructive force in the growth of the early Christian church.
Other Philips in the New Testament
There are a few other men named Philip mentioned in the New Testament. It is important not to confuse the apostle Philip with these other Philips:
- Philip the Evangelist – He is distinguished from the apostle Philip in Acts 21:8. He preached powerfully in Samaria (Acts 8:4-13). Later settled in Caesarea where he hosted Paul (Acts 21:8). He had four prophesying daughters.
- Philip the Tetrarch – He inherited rule over Ituraea and Trachonitis from his father Herod the Great. He married Herodias, who later married his brother Herod Antipas (Luke 3:19).
- Philip the Deacon – One of the seven chosen to oversee distribution to widows in Jerusalem (Acts 6:1-6). Later did evangelistic work in Samaria and with the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:4-40).
While these other Philips played important biblical roles, the original apostle Philip seems to be the primary Philip highlighted in the Gospel accounts.
Philip’s Significance
As one of the twelve apostles, Philip was eyewitness to Jesus’ earthly ministry. His calling and response modeled the pattern of becoming a disciple of Jesus. Key aspects of Philip’s significance include:
- He personally experienced Jesus’ teaching, miracles, death, and resurrection.
- He gave up his livelihood to follow Jesus full-time.
- He was chosen by Jesus to carry on his mission and spread the gospel.
- He faithfully continued Jesus’ work after the ascension.
- His preaching and miracles led many to believe in Jesus.
- He brought the gospel outside Jerusalem to Samaria and beyond.
- He contributed to the growth of the early church.
Overall, Philip’s interactions with Jesus and his contributions to the early church make him an important biblical figure. His story is part of the foundation of Christianity.
Lessons from Philip’s Life
Philip’s life and testimony contain valuable lessons for modern Christian disciples:
- Questioning is permissible – Like Nathanael, Philip questioned various claims about Jesus. But he remained open-minded enough to “come and see.” Honest questioning can lay the groundwork for deeper faith.
- Get to know Jesus personally – Philip experienced close personal interactions with Jesus. He appeals to all disciples to see and know Jesus for themselves.
- Rely on divine resources – Jesus used Philip’s practical question at feeding of the 5,000 to teach dependence on God’s power, not only physical resources.
- Spread the word – Philip immediately went and found Nathanael to share about Jesus. He invites all followers to share the gospel with others.
- Go the distance – Philip traveled far outside Jerusalem on faith, bringing the gospel to new regions. He inspires obedient service even in remote areas.
Philip provides a model of an eager disciple who faithfully followed Jesus and gave all to advance the gospel. His example can encourage modern believers to know Christ intimately, trust him fully, and spread the message of salvation far and wide.
Philip’s Illustration of a True Disciple
As one of the first disciples called by Jesus, Philip’s story provides a beautiful illustration of the essence of a true follower of Christ. Notice how Philip models core qualities of genuine Christian discipleship:
- Immediate obedience – When Jesus said “Follow me,” Philip left everything and followed (John 1:43).
- Bringing others to Jesus – Philip immediately went and found Nathanael to tell him about the Messiah (John 1:45).
- Openness to learn – Though questioning at first, Philip listened to Jesus’ teaching with an open heart and mind.
- Desire for greater revelation – Philip asked to see the Father, longing for deeper understanding (John 14:8).
- Humble service – Philip took on menial tasks like feeding crowds and ministering to foreigners.
- Persevering faith – In persecution he left Jerusalem to preach abroad, depending on God.
As modern disciples, we are called to emulate Philip’s earnest seeking of Christ, dependence on his word, and faithful service empowered by the Spirit. Philip’s interactions with Jesus make his life an illustrative model of genuine discipleship for believers.
Philip’s Name and Identity
The name Philip means “lover of horses.” It comes from the Greek name Philippos, derived from the words philos meaning “friend” and hippos meaning “horse.” Appropriately, Philip’s name denotes one who runs with endurance to spread the gospel – the Greek word for preaching Good News was “evangelizo,” picturing a running herald.
In learning about Philip’s identity, a few key identifiers emerge:
- His name Philip means lover of horses and fits his far-running gospel mission.
- His hometown was Bethsaida in Galilee, identifying him as a northerner.
- He was among the first disciples personally called by Jesus to follow him.
- He became one of the twelve apostles, marking him as a leader.
- He is often identified as “Philip the apostle” to distinguish him from others with the same name.
So in summary, Philip’s identity encompasses his name meaning, hometown, special calling as an apostle, and primary role as a follower of Christ. His love for his Master Jesus was central to who Philip was.
Philip as an Example of Faith in Action
Philip’s various actions after accepting Jesus’ call illustrate faith put into practice. Philip models faith in action through:
- Witnessing – He immediately goes to find Nathanael to testify about Jesus (John 1:45).
- Obeying – He responds without hesitation to Jesus’ commands (John 6:5-7).
- Stepping out – He leaves Jerusalem to preach abroad in Samaria (Acts 8:4-8).
- Crossing barriers – He ministers to an Ethiopian foreigner (Acts 8:26-40).
- Using gifts – His daughters exercise prophetic gifting (Acts 21:8-9).
- Supporting ministry – He hosts apostle Paul in his home (Acts 21:8).
Philip lived out his faith through proclamation, responsiveness, courage, inclusiveness, exercising gifts, and generosity. He models vital faith-fueled actions for disciples.
Philip’s Partnership with Andrew
Philip and Andrew seem to have worked closely together as two of the first disciples of Jesus. Some key interactions include:
- Andrew introduced Peter/Simon to Jesus (John 1:40-42). Philip introduced Nathanael to Jesus (John 1:43-46).
- When Greeks sought Jesus, they went together to tell Jesus (John 12:20-22).
- Andrew and Philip were from the same hometown of Bethsaida (John 1:44).
- They are often named together in the listing of the apostles (Matt 10:3).
This partnership models good teamwork and community in kingdom service. Andrew and Philip’s joint support of Jesus’ ministry demonstrates the value of collaborating to reach people for Christ.
How Philip’s Life Ends
The Bible does not provide definitive details on Philip’s later life and death. However, several early church histories report how his life ended:
- According to tradition, Philip evangelized in Gaul (modern France) with his sister Mariamne and Lazarus.
- Later accounts say he went to preach in Phrygia in Asia Minor. There he was martyred by being tied to a pillar and stoned to death around 80-90 AD.
- Before his death, Philip reportedly healed the proconsul’s daughter, converting many and angering sorcerers who incited his martyrdom.
- Some traditions claim Philip was crucified upside down or beheaded in Hierapolis. But stoning seems to be the earliest reported tradition.
Though not certain, early histories suggest Philip was martyred for his faith after diligently preaching across the Roman empire. He gave his life for the gospel message he had fervently proclaimed.
Conclusion
In summary, Philip was a dedicated follower of Christ from the very start of Jesus’ ministry. His thoughtful, practical nature positioned him to play a key role among the twelve apostles. After Jesus’ ascension, Philip obeyed the Great Commission by preaching the gospel in Samaria and beyond. His missionary efforts contributed to the expansion of the early church. According to tradition, he was eventually martyred for his faith while engaged in evangelistic work. Philip’s interactions with Jesus and his wholehearted service provide a model for disciples to emulate today. His life stands as a testament to the transforming power of faith in Christ.