The early church
Philip the evangelist
One of the seven; host at Caesarea
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- Events
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- Places
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- Journeys
Editorial summary
One of the seven chosen in Jerusalem. He proclaimed the Christ in Samaria, baptized an Ethiopian official on the road to Gaza, and preached from Azotus to Caesarea, where years later Paul’s company stayed at his house; he had four daughters who prophesied.
Scripture
Journeys
3Where their story unfolds
5Where they appear
5Seven men chosen to serve
When the Hellenists complained that their widows were neglected in the daily service, the Twelve asked the disciples to choose seven men full of the Spirit and of wisdom. They chose Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus and set them before the apostles, and after prayer hands were laid on them.
Philip preaches in Samaria
Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ; the crowds listened as unclean spirits came out and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. Men and women who believed were baptized, among them Simon, who had long amazed the people with sorcery and now stayed with Philip.
Philip and the Ethiopian official
An angel sent Philip south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. There he met an Ethiopian eunuch, treasurer of Queen Candace, returning from worship in Jerusalem and reading Isaiah in his chariot. Philip preached to him about Jesus from that Scripture, and when they came to some water, he baptized him.
From Azotus to Caesarea
After the baptism the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and he was found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached the good news in all the cities until he came to Caesarea.
Agabus’ warning
Paul’s company stayed with Philip the evangelist. The prophet Agabus bound his own hands and feet with Paul’s belt, saying the owner would be bound in Jerusalem; Paul replied that he was ready to die there for the name of the Lord Jesus.