And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. -- Acts 21:8 (KJV)
Luke writes "we." He is among the travelers who walk into Philip's house with Paul, and they tarry there many days. The last time Acts mentioned Philip, the Spirit of the Lord had caught him away from the water where he baptized the Ethiopian. He "was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea" (Acts 8:40).
Luke does not say how much time has passed or what filled it. He gives us the house and the two things Philip is called.
One of the Seven
"The evangelist" fits what we have read this week. Philip preached Christ in Samaria, on the Gaza road, and in all the cities on his way to Caesarea. The second title reaches back to Acts 6 and the men appointed over the daily ministration for the widows. After all that preaching, Luke still identifies him by that table. Both titles stand in the same sentence.
Luke adds that Philip "had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy." The work of God is going on inside his own household.
The Guest
Consider who is staying there. Philip left Jerusalem when Saul was making havock of the church, entering every house and haling believers to prison. That persecution scattered him to Samaria. Now the same man, called Paul, comes to his door as a brother, and Philip takes in his whole company. Acts records no speech between them. It records that they "abode with him."
Almost everything Philip did between the desert road and this visit is unwritten. We have one verse of cities and then a house with room for travelers. Scripture does not explain that stretch, and it does not call it wasted. It shows a man known for preaching the gospel who is still ready to serve whoever arrives.
Most of your obedience will never be recorded either. What work has God given you that no one is watching, and will you keep at it?
Philip's service this time was a place to stay. Someone who labors for the Lord may need the same from you this week. Open the door.
