An Evangelist and a Father
Many people join a Christian congregation and never know the excitement of service and ministry. Philip the evangelist did know the excitement of serving the Lord. After being converted (probably at Pentecost), a dispute arose in the early church concerning the distribution of food to widows. The apostles told the congregation to select seven individuals who were respected and led by the Spirit (Acts 6:3). Philip was one of the men chosen. He accepted the challenge along with Stephen who would later die at the hands of an angry Jewish mob (Acts 7:57-60).
After the stoning death of Stephen, Philip traveled to Samaria and began proclaiming Christ, casting out demons, and healing the lame and paralyzed (Acts 8:4-7). Due to Philip’s powerful ministry in Samaria, men and women were being baptized (Acts 8:9-13).
In the midst of all this ministry work and much blessing from the Lord, an angel told Philip to take a desert road to Gaza. Obedient to the angelic instruction, Philip left and met an important Ethiopian court official who was in charge of a royal treasury (Acts 8:27). The eunuch was trying to understand a selection from Isaiah the prophet, and he wasn’t doing so well. At the prompting of the Spirit, Philip introduced himself and explained the Scripture and the eunuch was baptized into the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:38).
Philip gave himself totally to ministry. That’s what being a Christian should include — working for the Lord. But something I would like to point out appears about 20 years later. Paul, who cooperated in the stoning of Philip’s friend Stephen, now comes to Philip’s home and stays there as a welcomed guest.
Luke mentions that Philip “had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses” (Acts 21:9). Along with an active life of ministry, Philip had the time to marry, maintain a home, and help raise four godly daughters. This is a timely example for all Christian fathers — active ministry and godly children.
- Jim Weikal
