Christian Martyr - Philip the Apostle

Philip was once a disciple that followed John the Baptist, who would later gain the privilege to be one of the first disciples to be called to followed Jesus Christ.

This was a unique honor that this man of God had, when he received a direct invitation from the Lord Jesus Christ himself.

Although this may seem irrelevant? You must understand that when it came to the other disciples, they were invited by someone else when it came to following Jesus. For we know that John had invited his friend Andrew; and Andrew shortly after, would later invite his brother Peter.

Next we learnt, that a little later on; that Philip, after his personal invite from Jesus -- went out and invited Nathanael. For the Scriptures confirm that Philip had went to Nathanael and invited him by saying: "We have found him, of whom Moses and the prophets did write."

Perhaps, Philip would receive a personal invite, because Jesus knew his heart? For the Scriptures would inform us that Philip didn't hesitate by questioning the credibility of Jesus, like Nathanael did when he said "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?"

So maybe, just maybe, there was something special about Philip that Jesus knew of? For Philip had earned a direct invite from the Saviour Himself, who had went to Galilee to seek Philip out personally.

Philip also had the privilege to witness first hand how Jesus fed the crowd of at least five thousand. For he was the one that had failed the faith test by answering Jesus question with nothing, but doubt. Jesus had asked him: "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?"

Philip would answer the Lord by saying: "Eight months wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"

Nevertheless, Philip still had the honor of being a first hand witness to perhaps one of the greatest miracles that had been recorded?

Philip was also the disciple that the Greeks had sought out; and asked him if they could receive an audience with Jesus? After hearing their request, Philip headed out to get Andrew and they both took the Greeks up to see the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are not sure exactly who these Greeks were? What we do know, is that the Greeks on occasion would go up and worship at the feast. Some may seem to think that they were part of the twelve tribes that were scattered amongst the gentiles. So could these Greeks be what we would call the first-fruits of gentiles that would be converted into Christians? Maybe and a very good possibility, yes they were.

Now we are treated to a very powerful event that had taken place? After Jesus had saw that these Greeks were wanting to meet Him, He had to let them know that He was not just a man, but a divine creature.

So he had asked God to glorify His name? Not His name, but God's name. After Jesus had made this request, God answered so all could hear, for there was a crowd of people standing nearby:

"I have glorified it, and will glorify it again" (John 12:28)

The Scriptures would confirm that the crowd did hear these words, as they were being spoken by the Almighty. The naysayers, would say that it was thunder, or perhaps, an angel? But, be as it may, they knew that something very powerful had happen, because after this had taken event had taken place?

The Scriptures would confirm that some of the leaders had also believed in him, but because of their positions they decided to keep it hidden. For they did not want to get kicked out of the synagogue and lose the positions and the praises of men. For this is what matter most to them, rather than getting praises from God himself.

I'm not quite sure what Philip name means, but I do know that it is of Greek origin and was a very popular name that was used among the Gentiles.

Just like Andrew and Peter, Philip was from a city in Galilee called Bethsaida, which signifies the "House of nets." This was so, because it was inhabited mostly by fishermen.

Understand, that when it comes to his death, for what we have heard is not considered fact, but possibly just a rumor? But what we had heard is that Philip is said to have been scourged, which is another way of saying that he was whipped.

He was then thrown into prison, for we don't know for how long. He was then later to be said to have been crucified in the city of Hierapolis which is located in Phrygia. All of this is said to have happen somewhere around A.D. 54.

1) Stephen the Deacon

2) James the Apostle

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4) Matthew the Apostle

5) Andrew the Apostle

6) Matthias the Apostle

7) John Rogers

8) Alban of Verlamium