Philip was from Bethesda, just as Peter and Andrew were. He becomes a living personality in the Gospel of John. He was the first man that Jesus told to follow him, and he believed that He was the one prophets described by Moses. He had a warm heart and a pessimistic mind, and very much desired to do for others but often couldn’t see how they could be done. He was hanged, and when he was dying, he requested his body be wrapped in papyrus, not in linen as Jesus was.
The Apostle Philip is only mentioned a handful of times in the New Testament—seven times in the gospels and once in Acts. (One tradition also claims he’s mentioned in another verse, though not by name.) Four of those mentions are just lists of the apostles. Like the Apostle Thomas, Philip’s only significant mentions come in the Gospel of John (and they’re still not that significant).
Church tradition identifies Philip as the missionary to Greece, Syria, and Phrygia, but even early on, Philip the Apostle was frequently confused with Philip the Evangelist (also known as Philip the Deacon), which makes it hard to distinguish which details describe which Philip. Add to that the legendary accounts from the Acts of Philip and Letter from Peter to Philip, and it becomes difficult to separate fact from fiction, too.
Still, there are some things we can learn about Philip the Apostle from the Bible, and we can glean a few insights from the early church as well.
For starters, here are the quick facts.
We don’t learn much about Philip from the synoptic gospels or Book of Acts—in fact, pretty much all we learn is that he’s always listed with Bartholomew. But the Gospel of John and the early church fill in some blanks and help us understand a little more about who he was.
John 12;21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
Matthew 10:2-4
2
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
4
Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Mark 3:14-19
14
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
15
And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:
16
And Simon he surnamed Peter;
17
And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
18
And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
19
And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.
Luke 6:13-16
13
And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
14
Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
15
Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
16
And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
Closing prayer; Heavenly Father, show us the Father and it will be enough for us.” Help us to make this our prayer also and to seek God in all things. Obtain for us the grace to know the Father and Jesus Christ whom he has sent – for in this does eternal life consist. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
For those who wish to become a child of Our Heavenly Father or wish to be stronger in his eyes, please say the following prayer below.
Dear Heavenly Father, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
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