📖 Biblical Definition
One of the seven men full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom appointed in Acts 6 to serve the Hellenist widows; after the dispersion of the Jerusalem church under persecution, preached Christ in Samaria with great revival (Acts 8); was directed by the Spirit to meet the Ethiopian eunuch on the desert road and baptized him (Acts 8:26-39); later called Philip the evangelist, the father of four virgin daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:8-9). Distinct from the apostle Philip.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
PHILIP THE, n.
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A scriptural proper name; in Acts, one of the seven deacons and an evangelist.
📖 Key Scripture
Acts 6:5 — "Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus."
Acts 8:5 — "Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them."
Acts 8:35 — "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus."
Acts 21:8 — "We... entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Philip was a deacon, evangelist, and church-planter; modern ministry rarely allows the same man all three.
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Philip is one of the most under-celebrated heroes of Acts. Appointed to wait tables in Acts 6, he ends up preaching Christ in Samaria, leading the eunuch to baptism, and raising four prophesying daughters. The man defies modern ministry job-descriptions. He was a deacon, an evangelist, a personal soul-winner, and a father of prophets.
Modern ministry tends to specialize: deacons stay deacons, evangelists travel, fathers stay home. Philip's biography refuses the silos. The same Spirit who sent him to wait tables also sent him to a chariot in the desert. Be available for whatever the Spirit assigns. The desert road and the deacon's table are both holy ground.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew/Greek roots below.
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G5376 — Philippos — Philip; lover of horses
Usage
"Philip was a deacon, evangelist, church-planter, and father of prophets; modern ministry rarely allows all three."
"Be available for whatever the Spirit assigns; the desert road and the deacon's table are both holy ground."
"The same Spirit who sent him to wait tables sent him to a chariot in the desert."