2. Philip The Practical Apostle
TWELVE COMMON MEN
Philip
The Practical Apostle

3. PHILIP: WHO WAS HE? From Bethsaida of Galilee
Apparently a follower of John
Seems to be the other disciple who followed Jesus
Some think the second was John
Found Nathanael
Always named fifth
Mentioned at …
Feeding of the 5,000
Greeks come to see him to see Jesus
Probably a Hellenistic Jew since his name is Greek
The Last Supper

4. HIS CHARACTER Cautious and deliberate
Desired to submit all truth to the test of the senses (Jn 14:8)
He felt same criterion would be acceptable to Nathanael (Jn 1:46)
Perhaps why Jesus posed His question to Philip (John 6:5-7)
Lacking self-reliance (turns to Andrew)
Jn 12:20-22

5. HIS CHARACTER In other words he was ‘process person’
Facts and figures
By-the-book
Practical minded
Non-forward thinking
Non-spontaneous
The character traits have potential for weakness or strength

6. HIS CALL
Either followed with Andrew or called fresh the next day (Jn 1:43)
Others had sought out Jesus, but Jesus found Philip
He was the first to hear, “follow me,” from Jesus
Apparently to accompany Him back to Galilee
From his reaction to the call, it is obvious he had been seeking the Messiah (Jn 1:45)
The Twelve Apostles: Philip

7. HIS CALL
Philip had the heart of a personal evangelist – he immediately found his friend Nathanael
Friendship is perhaps evangelism’s most fertile soil
Upon obedience to the Gospel it should be natural to want to tell your best friend
Where Nathanael was skeptical, Philip was certain (Jn 1:46)
Used his own character traits in spreading the gospel
He had compared Jesus to the law and prophets
Invited Nathanael to do the same

8. HIS CALL Why did Philip receive the Lord so easily?
Like Simeon (Lk 2:25)
He knew the OT promises, his heart was prepared, and he received Jesus gladly
He showed no reluctance, regardless of where Jesus came from
When the evidence matched his knowledge and expectations, Philip’s character was a strength

9. FEEDING THE 5,000
We have already studied this event from Andrew’s point-of-view
Now examine it through Philip’s eyes
He was a man of faith
But he wanted things organized and practical
Considered the question one of practical need rather than a test of faith
Jesus already knew how He would feed the multitude
The question was a test for Philip
And Philip’s practical side became a stumbling-block to his faith
He had seen Jesus do miracles, but didn’t consider that possibility in his answer

10. FEEDING THE 5,000
Philip should have said, “Lord I know you have the power to feed them”
Andrew at least had some faith; he found the lad with the fishes and bread
Philip had yet to learn the potential of faith
Mt 17:20

11. VISIT OF THE GREEKS
Another chance for Philip to deal with the unexpected
Jn 12:20-22
Either God-fearing Gentiles or more likely proselytes coming to worship at Jerusalem for Passover
Approach Philip to seek an audience with Jesus
Jesus had spoken of certain groups
Matt 10:5-6
But He had made exceptions
Mt 15:21-28 (Gentiles)
John 4 (Samaritans)
Not knowing how to handle the situation Philip took the Greeks to Andrew

12. VISIT OF THE GREEKS Did Jesus receive the Greeks?
Jesus preached the Gospel and invited His listeners to become His disciples (Jn 12:23-26)
It was right to bring the Greeks to Jesus
Andrew knew that
Perhaps Philip knew it as well, but didn’t have the confidence to do it alone

13. THE UPPER ROOM The final specific mention of Philip speaking
At the Last Supper; the eve of the crucifixion of Christ
Their training at Jesus’ feet had come to an end
But their faith was still weak
Jesus knew His time was near; His heart was heavy; His earthly work was nearly finished
He was eager to encourage them concerning the coming of the Holy Spirit (Jn 14-16)

14. THE UPPER ROOM
Jn 14:1-7
He was going to prepare a place for them (vv 1-2)
He would return some day (v 3)
They would know where He went and how to get there (v 4)
Thomas spoke for them all when he said he did not know where Jesus was going (v 5)
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life (v 6)
Knowing Christ allows you to know the Father (v 7)
You can come to the Father through Jesus

15. THE UPPER ROOM
Philip: “Lord show us the Father and it will be sufficient” Jn 14:8
He had heard the teaching, seen the miracles, been at the healings, and yet he says, “show us the Father”
Jn 14:9-11
He who has seen Christ has seen the Father!
Philip’s desire for concrete evidence interfered with his faith and understanding

16. THE PRACTICAL APOSTLE Philip was a practical person
He wanted evidence, he wanted certainty
He wanted to take his “book-knowledge” and compare it to what his senses told him
Like a scientific inquiry
Speeded his faith when the evidence matched his knowledge and expectations
Slowed down his reactions to new circumstances
Slowed down his processing of new ideas

17. What became of Philip? Difficult to know for sure
Many historians confused Philip, the apostle, with Philip, the evangelist
Non-biblical history marks Philip as the second martyr of the Twelve
Dying just eight years after James
Crucified in Hierapolis of Phrygia after converting multitudes to Christ (including the proconsul’s wife)

18. Conclusion Jesus has use for all kinds of people in His service
Inquisitive, impulsive, and involved (Peter)
Quiet and thoughtful (Andrew)
Impetuous (James and John)
Practical (Philip)
He can use you, if you will follow Him