📖 Biblical Definition
Two New Testament men bear the name Philip. First, Philip the apostle from Bethsaida in Galilee — who brought his friend Nathanael to Christ saying, "Come and see" (John 1:43-46), pointed out the lad with five loaves and two fish (John 6:5-7), and inquired, "Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us" (John 14:8). Second, Philip the evangelist — one of the seven Spirit-filled deacons (Acts 6:5), the first to preach the gospel in Samaria where revival broke out (Acts 8:5-13), supernaturally transported to meet the Ethiopian eunuch in the desert (8:26-40), and host to Paul’s band at Caesarea where his four virgin daughters prophesied (21:8-9). Both Philips show the gospel’s reach.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
PHIL'IP, n.
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1. One of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. 2. One of the seven deacons appointed by the apostles, also called Philip the Evangelist, who preached the gospel in Samaria and to the Ethiopian eunuch.
📖 Key Scripture
John 1:43 — "Jesus... findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me."
John 14:8 — "Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us."
Acts 8:35 — "Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus."
Acts 8:39 — "The Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Philip the deacon shows that “lay” men can do apostolic work; the line between is more blurred than seminaries pretend.
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Philip the Evangelist (Acts 6, 8, 21) is one of the most under-preached models in Scripture. He was appointed to wait tables (Acts 6:5). The “promotion” was Stephen's style of obedience — Philip ended up preaching Samaria into revival, baptizing an Ethiopian official in the desert, and being supernaturally transported by the Spirit. The line between deacon and evangelist is far thinner than denominational charts pretend.
Philip the apostle (John 14) gave the disciples one of the most useful questions in the upper room: Lord, shew us the Father. Christ answered with the breathtaking line: he that hath seen me hath seen the Father. Both Philips teach the same lesson differently: ask the right question, obey the strange leading, preach Christ from any text, and let the Spirit move you where He will.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek Philippos (G5376) — lover of horses.
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G5376 — Philippos — Philip; lover of horses
G5384 — philos — friend, lover
Usage
"Lord, shew us the Father — Philip's question is still the right one."
"A waiter in Acts 6 became an evangelist in Acts 8 — God promotes the obedient."
"When the Spirit says go to a desert road, go — the Ethiopian is reading Isaiah."