‘Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith to him,
Have I been so long with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that seet me
hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, show us the Father?’
— John 14:8-9
The Apostle Philip is not the best known of Christ’s initial apostles. The Apostle John, Apostle Peter, and Apostle Paul clearly are the best known apostles.
In this series on the Apostles of Christ, and their personalities, the Apostle Philip is the first of several apostles to be examined for which there is little documented evidence. Philip is mentioned in the Gospels when the apostles were chosen by Christ and followed him, and is also mentioned in the book of Acts of the Apostles.
Fourth chosen
From John’s Gospel, it appears that Philip was the fourth apostle to be chosen by Christ. John 1:43. However, most biblical studiers feel he was actually fifth, after the two sets of brothers: Peter and Andrew, and James and John.
It is clear, that as soon as Christ chose Philip as one of His disciples, Philip then went and found Nathanael (also known as Bartholomew) and told him “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” John 1:45
Philip is unquestionable listed as one of Christ’s chosen apostles at Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18 and Luke 6:14. We know very little of his background, other than what we learn from the Gospel of John. Philip was a native of Bethsaida in Galilee, the same town as Apostles Andrew and Peter. John 1:44.
“Follow Me”
Philip receives his most attention in the Gospel of the Apostle John. When Jesus called Philip to “Follow me”, it is clear that Philip was a quick and enthusiastic believer and follower of Jesus. In fact, he quickly sought out Nathanael and announced that the Messiah had been found. When Nathanael questioned Philip as to whether Jesus was indeed who Philip claimed, Philip responded: “Come and see”. John 1:45 46
Philip is mentioned again at John chapter 6 when Jesus appears to test Philip’s faith when Jesus asks Philip where bread could be purchased to feed the 5,000 people who came to hear Jesus preach. John 6:5-6
Philip appeared to display a lack of understanding of Jesus’ miracle-performing abilities when he responded the amount of money available would not be sufficient for such a large crowd. John 6:7 The verse shows a somewhat lack of faith of Philip in Jesus’ test of him.
“Show us the Father”
This same lack of understanding is apparent in Jesus’ response to Philip in John 14:8 when Philip asks Christ to “Show us the Father”. Jesus’s answer indicates some sadness on Christ’s part when it is clear that although His disciples had been went him and witnesses miracles, they did not understand that Christ was the Father. John 14:8-1 1.
One of the last major acts associated with Philip is in John 12:21-22 when some Greeks asked Philip to introduce them to Christ.
The final mention of Philip is at Acts 1.13 when he is listed with the other apostles gathered in the upper room.
Confused with other Philip
The Apostle Philip is sometimes suggested as the same person listed in Acts 6:5 and the 8th chapter of Acts, however, most biblical scholars insist these are two different men. The Philip chosen as a “deacon” at Ascension is not the Apostle Philip, but is referenced as Philip the evangelist. Acts 21:8, Acts 8:5-6.
The Evangelist Philip is best know for the reference to his preaching to, and baptizing of, the eunuch of Ethiopia in the 8th chapter of Acts, after the Ethiopian had been converted. Acts 8:26-40.
Later history
While further mention of Philip is undocumented in the Scriptures, other historical writers indicate Philip took Christ’s Final Commission and traveled and preached in Southern Russia. Secondly, there is strong tradition the apostle Philip made it to France where he witnessed for Christ.
It is reported that Philip was murdered at Hierapolis in the country of Turkey. Along the Menderes River there is a massive natural waterfall based on hot springs that appear “frozen” – not from cold, but from the build up of mineral deposits in the water over the thousands of years of flowing water.
In the time of the Apostle Philip, the falls was a place where sick people traveled to visit the hot pools that sprang from the earth, rich in minerals. The city located there at that time was Hierapolis, which is said to be the base city from which the apostle Philip conducted his ministry.
The local priests of the war god Mars were said to be unhappy with Philip’s ministry, and tied him to a cross and stone him to death there.
