Philip, one of the seven deacons chosen by the early church in Jerusalem (Acts 6:5), played a significant role in the spread of the Gospel beyond the confines of Jewish society. His evangelistic mission is primarily recorded in Acts 8, where his activities mark a pivotal moment in the early Christian movement, showcasing the transition of the Gospel message from a predominantly Jewish audience to a broader, more inclusive reach.

Philip in Samaria

Following the martyrdom of Stephen and the subsequent persecution of the church in Jerusalem, believers were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. Philip, driven by the Holy Spirit, went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to the people there. Acts 8:5-8 states, "Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. The crowds gave their undivided attention to Philip’s message and the signs they saw him perform. With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city."

Philip's ministry in Samaria was marked by miraculous signs and wonders, which validated his message and led to the conversion of many Samaritans. This was a significant development, as it demonstrated the breaking down of long-standing barriers between Jews and Samaritans, fulfilling Jesus' command to be witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Simon the Sorcerer

Among those who believed and were baptized was Simon, a sorcerer who had previously amazed the people of Samaria with his magic. Simon's conversion, however, was superficial, as revealed when he attempted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from the apostles Peter and John, who had come to Samaria to lay hands on the new believers so they might receive the Holy Spirit. Peter rebuked Simon, saying, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!" (Acts 8:20). This incident underscores the transformative power of the Gospel and the necessity of genuine repentance and faith.

The Ethiopian Eunuch

Philip's evangelistic mission continued as he was directed by an angel of the Lord to go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza. There, he encountered an Ethiopian eunuch, a high official of the Kandake, queen of the Ethiopians, who was returning from worshiping in Jerusalem. The Spirit instructed Philip to approach the chariot, where he found the eunuch reading from the book of Isaiah. Philip asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" (Acts 8:30), to which the eunuch replied that he needed someone to guide him.

Philip explained the passage, which spoke of the suffering servant, and proclaimed the good news about Jesus. Moved by the message, the eunuch asked to be baptized, and Philip baptized him in a nearby body of water. Acts 8:39 records, "When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing." This encounter highlights the divine orchestration in evangelism and the inclusivity of the Gospel, reaching even to the ends of the earth.

Philip's Later Ministry

After his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch, Philip was found at Azotus and continued to preach the Gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea (Acts 8:40). Philip eventually settled in Caesarea, where he is later mentioned in Acts 21:8-9 as "Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven," and as having four unmarried daughters who prophesied. His life and ministry exemplify the role of evangelists in the early church and the expansion of the Gospel to diverse peoples and regions.