Raising the Righteous Standard of Fathering – XXI Fathering Daughters Part II - - Phillip

 In our last fathering post we focused on fathering daughters in crisis. In this one I want us to think about fathering daughters who are thriving spiritually. Phillip had that challenge and hopefully we can learn some helpful things from his example.

We first get introduced to Phillip in Acts chapter 6, wherein the church in Jerusalem finds themselves in great need of servants who will gladly meet the pressing needs of the widows (and others) so the apostles can stay focused on apostolic priorities (prayer and the Word).

Phillip gets a lot of press in chapter 8 with his ministry to numbers of people in Samaria and then to the Ethiopian Eunuch in the middle of nowhere. But then he is never discussed again until Acts chapter 21, wherein we find this journal entry of sorts from Luke:“On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses. As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us,…” vs. 8-11a

Paul and Luke had been traveling with a handful of men such as Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus and Trophimus. How many of these joined Paul and Luke at Phillip’s house – we are not told.

We are also not told how old these daughters of Phillip were, but they had lived long enough to where it was obvious all four were practicing prophetesses. So I think it is reasonable to assume they were at least in their late teenage years if not in their twenties. Also Luke would not have mentioned they were virgins unless they were of age to be sexually active with young (or older) men. It is possible also that he made note of their virginity because the city they lived in was known for its immorality and hedonism being under Roman control. Caesarea according to historians was a major center of Roman and Hellenistic culture and pagan worship, which always produces a culture of unrestrained sexual immorality.

So how did Phillip, who was a busy evangelist, who at least in the period of time chapter 8 covers was found traveling for the sake of the kingdom, raise such evidently godly daughters, who were clearly contributing to Jesus’s kingdom advance through their prophetic gifts (and their godly character)?

Well one thing we know about father Phillip from Acts 6:3 is he was, “…of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom…”. Those were the necessary qualifications of the seven men who were appointed to serve the widows - qualifications established by the apostles according to their knowledge of God and His word.                                                       “Good reputation” means Phillip must have not led a compartmentalized life. His character in public was the same in private. He had no hidden life or hidden sins. He was not in any way a hypocrite though of course he was not perfect.                                                          “full of the Spirit” means that Phillip like Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit, routinely led by the Holy Spirit, filled by the Holy Spirit and baptized by the Holy Spirit. He by the power of the Holy Spirit led a holy life. He by the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit proclaimed the gospel, healed the sick and cast out demons (see Acts 8:5-7, 13). He heard and heeded an angel’s voice (Acts 8:26) and the voice of the Spirit (vs. 29), and thus was clearly spiritually sensitive and responsive.                                                                                       “full of wisdom” – He knew how to help solve problems such as the feeding of the widows in Acts 6 and how to help an Ethiopian eunuch come to Christ (8:27-38). And he knew how to lead his family in Christ and in the Holy Spirit. He did not lean on his own understanding, but instead relied on the Holy Spirit.

Another thing I see in Acts 21 is Phillip spiritually led his home in the practice of hospitality. As I mentioned earlier, when Paul and Luke entered Phillip’s house (vs. 8), they could have had with them all of or a portion of the men mentioned above. Then there was Phillip and most likely his wife and evidently all four of his daughters there. That was a full house for sure and the text says they “…were staying there for some days…” (vs. 10). When a husband and father gladly opens his home (hopefully in oneness with his wife) to others - it teaches children that people are important, and our “things” are not just for our enjoyment. As the Psalmist states, “God blesses us, that all the ends of the earth may fear Him .” (Psalm 67:7).

Hospitality is not a spiritual gift. All disciples of Jesus are called to practice it. And the practice of it is huge in the edification of the church and the expansion of the gospel of the kingdom of God (see I Peter 4:7-9).  It is one thing for our children to be able to worship with us when Christ’s church gathers. It is another thing for them to be able to regularly have godly men and women in their home where they can have a more personal touch and can learn and observe things they could not in a more organized setting with larger groups of people.

Looking back at Acts chapter 8 a couple of things should be mentioned. One is how Christ centered Phillip was. You can see that in verses or phrases like: “Phillip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them.” 8:5  and “But when they believed Phillip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, …” 8:12 and re: his conversation with the Ethiopian Eunuch, “Then Phillip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him.” 8:35

He was not just doing his job. He loved the Savior and lived to tell others about Him.

Second I would observe that he was humble and gladly received and submitted to Peter and John when they came down to provide some apostolic completion to what Phillip had begun. Even though Phillip himself operated in the gifts of the Holy Spirit he had not yet learned to help those he ministered to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit (See Acts 8:14-17). God gives grace only to the humble (James 4:6), and Phillip was apparently a humble man of God, who was secure in his identity in Christ, and was not in any way intimidated or offended when Peter and John all of a sudden invaded “his territory”. This is also seen by how willing he was to leave the huge impact he was having in Samaria and travel to a remote desert road where he ministered to only one man.

One thing to be wary of fathers. If you are a public figure or if you from time to time have people in your home for the sake of the kingdom, and your daughter (s) watch you give your valuable time and attention to these people, you need to make sure your daughter (s) regularly receives your undivided time and attention. If they do, they will gladly join with you in the work of the kingdom. If they do not receive appropriate and significant time and attention from their father, they will begin to resent the inconvenience (of extending hospitality to others) and your neglect of them. Our neglect of them also negatively colors their concept of God and eagerness to worship and seek Him.

On a practical note, if you have a daughter or daughters and you do not regularly seek them out for personal time with them (perhaps taking them out for coffee or a meal or a hike or whatever activity would enable you and her to connect without interruption from others), please consider making that a part of your schedule. Few investments of time and money you will ever make will bear the fruit that regular practice does in the hearts and lives of your daughter (s).

May the Father give you renewed hope and strength to be by far the greatest influence (other than Christ) in your daughter’s life for His glory and praise and for her joy. Amen.