Which Philip talked to the Ethiopian?

[pnewton]

In Acts 6:5 a list of seven people is given who were made deacon by the apostles. The first is Stephen, whose martyrdom follows next in the narrative. The second is Philip.

Chapter 8 contains the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunich. But which Philip is this? I was always taught that it was the apostle Philip, but the context of Acts gives me doubt. The last “Philip” mentioned was the deacon, just a little earlier in the narrative, furthermore, the intervening story is that of a deacon (Stephen).

Does anyone know of church teaching, tradition or other scholarship on this?

Phillip (neither the deacon or apostle)

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

I’ve heard several apologetics sources (and can’t for the life of me remember which) that all said the Phillip of that chapter was the deacon. Hopefully others have more solid reasons for their conclusions.

 

[SteveT]

I believe it is generally held the Philip is the deacon, because :

“And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Sama’ria, except the apostles.” (v.1)

then,

" Philip went down to a city of Sama’ria …" (v.5)

Since the Apostles, including presumably the Apostle Philip, remained in Jerusalem while everybody else scattered to other places, including Samaria, it seems likely the Philip who went down to Samaria was the deacon, not the Apostle.

Hope that helps.