Thursday: Philip as Evangelist, Father and Host
Philip, clearly, was anointed to do the Lord’s work. Commentators are divided on what the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip
(Acts 8:39) means, whether he was simply told to go to Azotus (Acts 8:40) or was miraculously transported there.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
Either way, the crucial point for us is that Philip was a man surrendered to the Holy Spirit; and thus, God was able to use him to do a great work for Him.
Read Acts 8:40. What does it tell us about Philip that helps us to understand why he was named the evangelist
?
Read Acts 21:7-10. What can we learn about Philip from these few verses?
At this stage of the story we learn that Philip was a family man with four unmarried daughters. Philip’s call out of the deaconate into evangelism involved him in extensive travel. We know about the journey from Jerusalem to Samaria, then on to Gaza, followed by all the towns
on the 50-mile (80-kilometer) coastline between Azotus and Caesarea. There were probably unrecorded journeys. Like all the pioneering missionaries, he would have been harassed, inconvenienced, and subjected to the ups and downs
such commitments entail. Still, he managed his family to the extent that four daughters were deemed by the Holy Spirit suitable to receive the gift of prophecy. This testifies to good parenting and true godliness in this pioneering Christian missionary family.
The text reveals that the apostle Paul stayed with Philip a number of days
(Acts 21:10 NIV). Twenty-five years earlier, Paul, then named Saul, had been an aggressive and fierce persecutor of the Christians (Acts 9:1-2). His persecution of Jerusalem believers forced Philip to flee to Samaria (Acts 8:1-5). Now, years later, persecutor and persecuted meet in the home of Philip, who hosts Paul’s visit. What an interesting meeting of brothers and fellow workers with Christ in the great cause of bringing the gospel to the non-Jewish world!
In our work for others, why is it so crucial never to forget our first obligation: our families?
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Apparently Philip set a fine example at home (Acts 21:9). Public persona or image may be so managed that one looks good at church or on the evangelism circuit. However concealed or private activity says a lot more about character than that which is presented for display or public consumption.
Said EGW,
“There are many who have given themselves to Christ, yet who see no opportunity of doing a large work or making great sacrifices in His service. These may find comfort in the thought that it is not necessarily the martyr’s self-surrender which is most acceptable to God; it may not be the missionary who has daily faced danger and death that stands highest in heaven’s records. The Christian who is such in his private life, in the daily surrender of self, in sincerity of purpose and purity of thought, in meekness under provocation, in faith and piety, in fidelity in that which is least, the one who in the home life represents the character of Christ—such a one may in the sight of God be more precious than even the world-renowned missionary or martyr.
Oh, how different are the standards by which God and men measure character. God sees many temptations resisted of which the world and even near friends never know—temptations in the home, in the heart. He sees the soul’s humility in view of its own weakness; the sincere repentance over even a thought that is evil. He sees the wholehearted devotion to His service. He has noted the hours of hard battle with self—battle that won the victory. All this God and angels know. A book of remembrance is written before Him for them that fear the Lord and that think upon His name.” (Christ Object Lessons p. 403, 404)
Act 21:9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
One short sentence which says so much. This was the fulfilment of Acts 2:17-18, not only was the Holy Spirit being poured out on men who prophesy, here we see not one but four women who were prophesying and they are mentioned in the same passage as Paul & Philip. It is clear that they are not an exception because of the casual way to which they are referred, so it is probable that there were many more in fact Paul confirms this when he says every woman who prays or prophesies must cover her head.
I very strongly believe that all of us have struggles and I fully agree with Mrs. E G White as she explains how God is with us in every trial . This quote below gives me sooooooooo much of comfort.
Oh, how different are the standards by which God and men measure character. God sees many temptations resisted of which the world and even near friends never know—temptations in the home, in the heart. He sees the soul’s humility in view of its own weakness; the sincere repentance over even a thought that is evil. He sees the wholehearted devotion to His service. He has noted the hours of hard battle with self—battle that won the victory. All this God and angels know. A book of remembrance is written before Him for them that fear the Lord and that think upon His name.” (Christ Object Lessons p. 403, 404)
i believe that it is our duty as Christians never to forget our families for its clear that he who does not do this is worse than an infidel. wouldn't it be great if only we would be saved as families. i really wish that we all consider the fact that our christian homes have been set as light bearers in the communities that we live in and we should deeply consider this and live accordingly God help us dear friends
What a beautiful example of a christian family we have here. What a godly man. He wasn't at home often but yet his family still learned to love God. I also love the quote by Ellen G white mentioned above. Our public displays mean nothing if our heart is not right. Many are the struggles fought in private and its great to know that Jesus knows and sees everything. He marks in a book all our weakness and victories and sometimes deem them very very great. This gives motivation to conquer sin. Remind us that Our loving Saviour is there ready to help us fight Satan just as He is with the missionaries and other famous christians. Thank you for your love sweet Jesus.
Phillip was a Evangelist , Yet he was able to balance his family life. I believe his Evangelise begins in his home first. This is an example we todad must follow. We are call to do the Lords work and we should not let anything ender us.The Holy Spirit is waiting to help us carry the message to the world.
I very,very respectfully disagree with the assertion of the lesson. Our first priority is not our family, it is the Lord. Remember saints what Jesus taught us in Mathew 10:27? He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. We see this devotion to God in the life of Abraham when without hesitation or complaint was willing to kill his only son (heir) because Jesus called for it. Abraham loved and obeyed God. Jeusus also call us to walk worthy of Him. Save the Our first duty it to our God and Savior king. It is God who protects our families when we are away on evangillism as evedenced in the life of Philip and Noah. It is He. Think on psalm 127 "exept the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it." Forgive me but from personal experience, Jesus takes care of your family when your taking care of His business. God Bless
DBrown, the lesson is talking about where we can start "taking care of His business" not who takes priority in our lives. It points out that the people closest to us need the Good News just as much as those "out there".
I would like to differ with you DBrown. The Bible also asserts that you can hardly love God if you don't love others. In fact Philip prioritized his family because of his love for Jesus. A person who loves his family will lead them to the Savior.
Great.Phillip both as a father and evangelist,bore upon himself the christian character that testify of him a soldier of the cross.Much of the background of Phillip's life before his call to serve on the tables is not recorded in the scriptures,though.But the qualifications called upon to be considered for the men to be chosen to serve on the tables tell us more about who was Phillip before.(Acts 6v3,5;1Tim 3v8-13).Therefore as Phillip was called both to serve on tables and later to be an evangelist,the calls were not meant to lessen the responsibility of fatherhood.I,then therefore,remind my brothers and sisters in Christ that family life and serving God in its broad spectrum,compliment each other.Remember home and foreign missionary,home missionary is the first school of foreign missionary.
The Lord needs to be first in our lives and then the family. For the 34 years I've been in the church, there has been a decline in the importance of the family. We in the church have been influenced by the world. Why do we not have daily, family, Bible worship? How about prayer before driving and meals? We don't express thankfulness for all the blessings and gifts from the Lord. We don't spend time with the children doing things for them such as: daily exercise, eat meals with the children and talk to them, teach them manners, etc? Then when the children are grown we wonder why they don't have manners, don't want to work, get divorced after a few years of marriage, etc. The children haven't had a proper home life. It takes sacrifice of self, time and resources to put the children first. We need to get back to the ways of God in bringing up the children.