Philip

Philip was one of the seven men chosen by the early church in Jerusalem to serve as deacons, responsible for the daily distribution of food to widows (Acts 6:5). After the martyrdom of Stephen, a great persecution arose against the church, and the believers were scattered. Philip went to Samaria and preached the gospel, performing miracles and casting out unclean spirits (Acts 8:4-8). Many Samaritans believed and were baptized, including Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:9-13). Philip was then directed by an angel to go south on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, where he encountered an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians (Acts 8:26-28). The eunuch was reading from the book of Isaiah, and Philip explained to him the good news about Jesus (Acts 8:29-35). The eunuch believed and was baptized by Philip (Acts 8:36-38). After this, Philip was miraculously transported by the Spirit to Azotus, and he continued preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea (Acts 8:39-40). Later, Philip is mentioned as one of the "seven" and referred to as "Philip the evangelist" (Acts 21:8). He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy (Acts 21:9). Paul and his companions stayed with Philip in Caesarea during Paul's final journey to Jerusalem (Acts 21:8-16).