Acts 8.26-40; Psalm 65; John 6.44-51
We know about Philip (one of the “deacons” appointed in Acts 6.5; he should not be confused with the Philip who was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples) only from a reference to his preaching and working miracles in a Samaritan town [Acts 8.5-8] and from this story.
But in the historical narrative of the spread of the Gospel, Philip the Deacon can be credited, through the Ethiopian official whom he baptised, as the Apostle to Africa.
Philip intuited the shame, disappointment and deprivation that lay beneath the pomp and power of the Ethiopian satrap’s position. When Philip spoke to him of the humiliation of the Lamb of God, about his lack of physical descendants, the Ethiopian eunuch was cut to the heart. “Look, there is some water here; is there anything to stop me being baptised?”
They never met again, and Philip disappeared quickly. But the Ethiopian went on his way rejoicing. Obedient to his new Master, he went home to [his] people and told them all that the Lord in his mercy had done. [Mark 5.19]