PHILIP AS MISSIONARY

Lesson 10 for September 5, 2015

P H I L I PThere are four people in the New Testament named Philip:

1. The son of Herod the Great. Tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis from 4 BC until 34 AD (Luke 3:1).

2. Another son of Herod the Great. John the Baptist accused his wife—Herodias—of abandoning Philip and marrying Herod (Mark 6:17).

3. One of the apostles (Matthew 10:3).4. Philip, “the evangelist” (Acts 21:8).

The “evangelist” had several positions within the Church:

Deacon (Acts 6:5)

DEACON“And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.” (Acts 6:5)

It is said that “there wasn’t anyone among them [the Church in Jerusalem] who lacked.” (Acts 4:34-37).

Nevertheless, a murmuring about unfair distribution of food for the ones in need emerged. The accusation was a serious one: the Greek-speaking widows were being discriminated.

The problem was solved by appointing seven people to “deaconize” [Greek for “serve”] tables (Acts 6:3).

“The more fully we are imbued with His Spirit, the more earnestly we shall work for those around us; and the more we do for others, the greater will be our love for the work, and the greater our delight in following the Master.”

E.G.W. (Colporteur Ministry, cp. 6, pg. 46)

PREACHER “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.” (Acts 8:5)

Philip went down to Samaria because of the persecution Saul began after Stephen’s death.He preached the Gospel with great power in Samaria, despite the rift between Jews and Samaritans.That preaching resulted in many Samaritans accepting Jesus as their Savior and being baptized (Acts 8:12).

“Not upon the ordained minister only rests the responsibility of going forth to fulfill this commission. Everyone who has received Christ is called to work for the salvation of his fellow men.”

E.G.W. (The Acts of the Apostles, cp. 11, pg. 110)

MISSIONARY“Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, ‘Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ This is desert.” (Acts 8:26)

After being baptized, the treasurer went his way rejoicing. He was willing to announce the Good News in Africa.

Philip fulfilled Jesus’ Great Commission in Acts 1:8. He was a witness in Judea (as a deacon), in Samaria (as a preacher) and to the end of the earth (as a missionary to the Ethiopian).

He followed Jesus’ example on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:27). Philip taught a complete Bible study to the Ethiopian eunuch.

“This Ethiopian represented a large class who need to be taught by such missionaries as Philip—men who will hear the voice of God and go where He sends them. There are many who are reading the Scriptures who cannot understand their true import. All over the world men and women are looking wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears and inquiries go up from souls longing for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit. Many are on the verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be gathered in.”

E.G.W. (The Acts of the Apostles, cp. 11, pg. 109)

EVANGELIST“But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.” (Acts 8:40)

The Holy Spirit carried Philip to Azotus [Ashdod] to continue his mission (Acts 8:39).He then travelled 100 Km (62 miles) in an evangelistic campaign all over the Mediterranean coast of Israel.

“The Lord’s agencies must be wholly consecrated to His service, that they may be quick to understand their work. As wise stewards they must take advantage of every circumstance to teach the grace of God and draw people to Christ.”

E.G.W. (Christ Triumphant, October 28)

HOST“On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.” (Acts 21:8-9)

Philip’s Christian character is shown in those verses. He was forgiving, hospitable, evangelist and a good family man.Paul (the old Saul) voted to kill Stephen who was Philip’s mate. Nevertheless, Philip hosted him 25 years later.Philip was one of the first seven deacons. Now he was known as “the evangelist” because of his tireless work in spreading the Gospel.On the other hand, his four prophetess daughters proof that he was an evangelist at home too.

“We are to be consecrated channels, through which the heavenly life is to flow to others. The Holy Spirit is to animate and pervade the whole church, purifying and cementing hearts. Those who have been buried with Christ in baptism are to rise to newness of life, giving a living representation of the life of Christ. Upon us is laid a sacred charge. The commission has been given us: “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:19, 20, margin. You are dedicated to the work of making known the gospel of salvation. Heaven’s perfection is to be your power.”

E.G.W. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, cp. 2, pg. 20)