Philip the Evangelist

Philip first appears in Acts 6 among the seven men selected to oversee the daily distribution in the Jerusalem church. After persecution scattered believers following Stephen's death, Philip went to Samaria and proclaimed Christ. Crowds listened as unclean spirits were expelled and people were healed, producing great joy in the city. Men and women were baptized, including Simon the magician. Peter and John later came from Jerusalem and witnessed God's work among the Samaritans. An angel then directed Philip to the desert road toward Gaza, where he encountered an Ethiopian court official reading Isaiah. Beginning with that passage, Philip told him the good news about Jesus and baptized him when they came to water. The Spirit then carried Philip away, and he continued preaching through coastal towns until he reached Caesarea. Many years later Paul and his companions stayed at Philip's house there. Luke calls him 'Philip the evangelist, one of the seven' and notes that he had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. He must be distinguished from Philip the apostle, one of the Twelve.