Philip the Evangelist: The Deacon Who Ran for the Gospel
- Ken Kalis
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
America was blessed with dozens of Evangelist durin the 20th century.
I saw Oral Roberts and Katherine Kuhlman preach the Gospel and watched the healings come as they preached the Gospel as Jesus commaneded in Mark 16.
Brother William Branham prayed for me in front of thousands at St. Nicholas Arena in New York City and I was healed of asthma.
Later Billy Graham won millions for Jesus in his Crusades for Christ.
Today we honor the first of these evangelists, Philip, filled with the Holy Ghost and power.
Read and be blessed and remember Jesus has a job for YOU!
On Sunday, October 11, the Anglcan Church in North America honors: Philip, Deacon and Evangelist.
Philip (1st century AD), one of the seven deacons chosen in Acts 6, stands out in Scripture not only for his faithfulness in service but also for his zeal in spreading the Gospel far beyond Jerusalem. Alongside Stephen (? -36 AD) the first Christian martyr, Philip was selected to help the apostles by ministering to the practical needs of the early Church — caring for widows and distributing food. Yet God had far greater plans for him.
A Ministry on the Move
When persecution scattered the believers after Stephen’s death, Philip headed north to Samaria, where he preached Christ* (4BC-30 AD) with remarkable success.
An asterisk* after a name means the person is in my book SPIRITUAL LIVES.
The people listened intently as he proclaimed the Messiah, and many were healed of unclean spirits and diseases. Even the sorcerer Simon Magus (1st century AD) was amazed at Philip’s power and message (Acts 8:4–13). The Gospel was now crossing boundaries—cultural, ethnic, and spiritual.
Philip's
Divine Appointment in the Desert
Then came one of the most dramatic divine assignments in Scripture. The angel of the Lord told Philip,
“Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.” (Acts 8:26)
Without hesitation, Philip obeyed. On that lonely road, he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a royal official serving the queen of Ethiopia, who was returning home from worshiping in Jerusalem. The eunuch was reading Isaiah 53—the prophecy of the suffering Servant—when Philip ran up to his chariot and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
Invited to explain,
Philip began at that very Scripture and preached Jesus* to him. When they came to a pool of water, the eunuch exclaimed, “What doth hinder me to be baptized?” After he confessed faith, Philip baptized him, and the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, miraculously transporting him to the city of Azotus, where he continued preaching from town to town until he reached Caesarea.
The Faithful Father and Prophet’s House
Many years later, in Acts 21:8-9, Paul* (5-67) and Luke (1-16 to 84-100) visited Philip at his home in Caesarea and stayed with him several days. By then, Philip had become known as “Philip the Evangelist”, and he had four unmarried daughters who prophesied—a rare and beautiful glimpse into a Spirit-filled household where God’s Word overflowed across generations.
Lessons for Today
Philip’s life reminds us that ministry is not confined to pulpits or positions—it is born out of obedience. Whether serving tables or running beside a chariot, Philip was led by the Holy Spirit and ready to speak the name of Jesus* wherever he went. His story challenges us to listen for God’s prompting and to go—sometimes even into the desert—trusting that He has prepared hearts to receive His Word.
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”— Acts 8:35
Reflection and Prayer
Reflection Question: Have you ever felt the Spirit nudging you to speak to someone unexpected—perhaps in a “desert” place of your own?
How might Philip’s example inspire your obedience this week?
Encourage others with your example or experience in the Comments lines.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Philip, who followed Your Spirit without hesitation. Give us ears to hear Your direction and hearts willing to run wherever You send us, that others may come to know Jesus Christ* as Savior and Lord. Amen.
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Go Ye Into All The World And Preach The Gospel,
Far, far away, in heathen darkness dwelling,
Millions of souls forever may be lost;
Who, who will go, salvation’s story telling,
Looking to Jesus, heeding not the cost?
Refrain
“All power is given unto Me,
All power is given unto Me,
Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel,
And lo, I am with you always.”
See o’er the world wide open doors inviting,
Soldiers of Christ, arise and enter in!
Christians, awake! your forces all uniting,
Send forth the Gospel, break the chains of sin. Refrain
“Why will you die?” the voice of God is calling.
“Why will you die?” re-echo in His Name;
Jesus has died to save from death appalling,
Life and salvation, therefore go proclaim. Refrain
God speed the day, when those of every nation
“Glory to God!” triumphantly shall sing.
Ransomed, redeemed, rejoicing in salvation,
Shout “Hallelujah, for the Lord is King.” . Refrain
James McGranahan, 1886
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe
all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end
of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:19
Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.
If you're going through hell, keep going.
You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen
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