Topical Bible: Ministers: Faithful: Philip

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Philip, one of the seven deacons chosen by the early church, stands as a notable example of a faithful minister in the New Testament. His life and ministry are primarily documented in the Book of Acts, where he is depicted as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, dedicated to the service of the early Christian community.

Selection as a Deacon

Philip first appears in Acts 6:5, where he is selected as one of the seven deacons to address the needs of the Hellenistic widows in the early church. The apostles instructed the disciples to choose "seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3). Philip's selection indicates his reputation for being a man of integrity and spiritual maturity.

Evangelistic Ministry in Samaria

Philip's ministry extended beyond administrative duties. Following the persecution that arose after Stephen's martyrdom, Philip traveled to Samaria, where he preached the gospel with great success. Acts 8:5-8 records, "Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. The crowds gave their undivided attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform." His ministry in Samaria was marked by miraculous signs, exorcisms, and healings, leading to great joy in the city.

Encounter with the Ethiopian Eunuch

Philip's faithfulness is further exemplified in his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch, a high official in the court of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. Directed by an angel of the Lord, Philip met the eunuch on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. Acts 8:35 states, "Then Philip began with this very Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus." Philip's obedience to the Spirit's leading and his effective communication of the gospel resulted in the eunuch's conversion and baptism.

Continued Ministry

After the encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch, Philip was found at Azotus and continued to preach the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea (Acts 8:40). His commitment to spreading the message of Christ is evident in his tireless journeying and preaching.

Philip the Evangelist

Philip is later referred to as "Philip the evangelist" in Acts 21:8, where Paul and his companions stayed at his house in Caesarea. This title underscores his role and identity as a proclaimer of the gospel. The text also notes that Philip had four unmarried daughters who prophesied, indicating a household devoted to the service of God.

Philip's life and ministry exemplify the qualities of a faithful minister: dedication to service, obedience to the Holy Spirit, effective evangelism, and a commitment to the spread of the gospel. His account serves as an inspiration for those called to ministerial roles within the Christian faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 8:5
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Emperor and Empress
... He regarded even the Ministers who domineered over him with a dull jealousy ... back
to the outer hall, where they found the faithful Philip impatiently awaiting ...
/.../chapter xviii the emperor and.htm

The Holy Catholic Church.
... appointment of the third order of Ministers"the Deacons ... up the first persecution;
and Philip, another of the first Deacons, by his faithful preaching brought ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter ix the holy catholic.htm

Conclusion and this is the Perspicuous, Simple, and Ingenuous ...
... truth; bring to the truth those who err; shut the mouths of the calumniators of
sound doctrine, and endue the faithful ministers of his ... 384] Philip Schaff, The ...
/.../various/the canons of dordt/conclusion and this is the.htm

Exile: Appeals for a Phinehas, and a Jehu: 1554
... The King and his ministers had hearkened unto him"young ... Knox, in a letter to the
Faithful, printed in 1554 ... same to her husband?"Mary Tudor to Philip of Spain ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter v exile appeals for.htm

The Henkels.
... Philip was pastor in Green County, Tenn., and a ... Two of his sons, Irenaeus and Eusebius,
were Lutheran ministers. ... was that we might all remain faithful to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/the henkels.htm

The Puritan Beginnings of the Church in virginia ---Its Decline ...
... In 1642 Philip Bennett, of Nansemond, visiting Boston in his coasting ... As result of
this correspondence, three eminently learned and faithful ministers of New ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter v the puritan beginnings.htm

The Sinner Seriously Urged and Entreated to Accept of Salvation in ...
... 5. I beseech you "by all the bowels of compassion which you owe to the faithful
ministers of Christ," who are studying and laboring, preaching and praying ...
/.../chapter x the sinner seriously.htm

Ordination and Duties of the Clergy.
... Concerning the ordination of deacons, I Philip [3685] make this ... O God Almighty, the
true and faithful God, who art ... a priest, but as one that ministers to the ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii ordination and duties of.htm

Organization.
... March 14, 1820, Philip Henkel had written to his ... synod in Tennessee." The "old ministers"
were Stork ... Aversion to faithful confessional Lutheranism was the real ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/organization.htm

It Has Come to the Knowledge of the Holy and Great Synod That...
... deacons remain within their own bounds, knowing that they are the ministers of the ...
we see that the Nicene fathers entertained no doubt that the faithful in the ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xviii it has come.htm