In the early Church, there were two followers of Jesus named Philip. One was an apostle (Lk 6:14), the other among the first deacons (Acts 6:5).
Philip the apostle knew all about Jesus, but didn't know Jesus. Jesus said to Philip, "After I have been with you all this time, you still do not know Me?" (Jn 14:9) Philip the apostle saw Jesus work many signs and wonders, but these did not lead Philip to believe Jesus was in the Father (Jn 14:7-8). Jesus commanded him: "Believe because of the works I do" (Jn 14:11). Jesus promised Philip that he would do works greater by far than Jesus (Jn 14:12). Philip, however, didn't believe Him. Later, Philip came to know Jesus personally and believe in Him. Yet before Pentecost Philip had no such relationship.
We meet Philip the deacon after Pentecost. He knew Jesus personally. In Samaria, he performed works greater by far than Jesus. "There were many who had unclean spirits, which came out shrieking loudly. Many others were paralytics or cripples, and these were cured. The rejoicing in that town rose to fever pitch" (Acts 8:7-8). Philip the deacon was led by the Spirit to convert the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:35ff), thereby being Jesus' witness "even to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
Although Philip the apostle touched, saw, embraced, and worked with Jesus, he did not know Him. Philip the deacon may have never seen Jesus in his physical presence, but he had a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. "Blest are they who have not seen and have believed" (Jn 20:29).
| PRAYER: | Risen Jesus, "the greatest thing in all my life is loving You." |
| PROMISE: | "The disciples could not but be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit." –Acts 13:52 |
| PRAISE: | Our Lady of Fatima gave a message to the world through three young children. Many conversions have occurred as a result. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College