Town Of Origin: Bethsaida
Martyred
(Crucifixion)
(Philip likely died in the first century, possibly around 80 AD, but traditions vary widely as to how he died. One tradition says he died of natural causes but others suggest he was stoned to death.
The earliest account comes from Acts of Philip, which contains legends about Philip’s ministry. According to this text, he was crucified upside down with Bartholomew. Philip preached to the crowd while hanging on the cross, and they wanted to release the two disciples, but Philip told them to free Bartholomew and leave him hanging.)
Scriptures: John 21:2 John 1:45-46 John 6:5-7 John 14:6-10
Philip is described as a disciple from the city of Bethsaida, and the Gospel of John connects him with Andrew and Peter, who were from the same town. He also was among those with John the Baptist when the Baptist pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God.
Philip first introduced Nathanael (sometimes identified with Bartholomew) to Jesus. Later, Jesus tests Philip (John 6:6) when he asks him how to feed the 5,000 people. He appears to provide a link to the Greek community when he advises Andrew that certain Greeks wish to meet Jesus. As one having a Greek name, Philip could likely speak Greek, and may have been known to the Greek pilgrims in Jerusalem.
Scholars disagree on Philip. In Acts 6:5, we have a Philip as one of the seven ordained deacons, but some say this is a different Philip. If this was the same Philip, then he had a successful missionary campaign in Samaria and led the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ (Acts 8:26). He also stayed with Paul in Caesarea (Acts 21:8) and was one of the major figures in the missionary enterprise of the early church.
Later stories about Philip's life can be found in the anonymous Acts of Philip, probably written by a contemporary of Eusebius. This non-canonical book recounts the preaching and miracles of Philip. According to these accounts, following the resurrection of Jesus, Philip was sent with his sister Mariamne and Bartholomew to preach in Greece, Phrygia, and Syria.
According to tradition through a miraculous healing and his preaching Philip converted the wife of the proconsul of Hierapolis. This enraged the proconsul, and he had Philip, Bartholomew, and Mariamne all tortured. Philip and Bartholomew were then crucified upside-down, and Philip preached from his cross. As a result of Philip's preaching the crowd released Bartholomew from his cross, but Philip insisted that they not release him, and Philip died on the cross.
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