Philip, an apostle of Jesus

   We have early writings which say Philip had a family.

For example, Clement of Alexandria is quoted by Eusebius stating Philip was married and had daughters. (1)

Acts 8:5
“Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there" (NIV).
   I add that from my cultural background, going from Jerusalem to Samaria should be going “up” since Samaria is north.  In Appalachia I learned that in certain regions people speak of going “down” to a town if it is of lower elevation.
   And Acts 8:26-40 tells the fabulous story of Philip explaining Scripture to an Ethiopian eunuch and then baptizing him.

   Hierapolis is an ancient city where Philip did ministry work.
Papias was an overseer, or “bishop,” at Heirapolis. (2)  Having Papias writings which are now lost apparently, Eusebius makes it clear Hierapolis became Philip’s ministry field! (3)

   Ancient Hierapolis was renowned for its mineral hot springs!!  Regarding Hierapolis and two neighboring cities, Hierapolis had hot water, Colossae had cold water, and Laodicea was said to have lukewarm water.  Many Christians think the metaphor God gave to Laodicea in the book of Revelation was based on this.

   I add there are later statements given that Philip evangelized to the Gauls of modern France.  This is strongly debated, but Philip is embraced by many churches in French history.

   Tradition holds Philip was crucified.  And Eusebius quoted Polycrates:

   “Philip, one of the twelve apostles who sleeps in Hierapolis…” (4)

Hunter Irvine

   For my memorable final exam for my excellent preaching class at Colorado Christian University, I used my keen illustration for the Mosaic Covenant, which is Leonard Nimoy’s famous statement, “Live long and prosper.”  This is the second part of the conditional Mosaic covenant, the blessing. The covenant was that if the Hebrew people would obey the commands of God given to them, then they would live long and prosper in the land that God was going to give them.  This is found in Deuteronomy 6:1-3.

   It is my favorite sermon illustration, and probably always will be.  Before the final exam sermon, I sent everyone in the class an email with a picture of the classic American actor giving the hand greeting.  A number in the class did not know who he was, which surprised me, yet they did after my sermon!

   I give my condolences to the Nimoy family and friends in the wake of the physical loss of Leonard Nimoy.  God bless you!

(1) Eusebius, Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History, trans. C.F. Cruse
(Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson, 1998), 95.
(2) Eusebius, Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History, trans. C.F. Cruse
(Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson, 1998), 100.
(3) Eusebius, Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History, trans. C.F. Cruse
(Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson, 1998), 105.
(4) Eusebius, Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History, trans. C.F. Cruse
(Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson, 1998), 96.