St. Philip
the Apostle
One of the Twelve · Fisherman · First Century
“Come and see.”
John 1:46 — St. Philip to Nathanael — ESV
Every ministry that carries a name also carries a spirit. The spirit of Saintly Journeys Ministry is found in four words across two verses — “Come and you will see” (John 1:39) and “Come and see” (John 1:46). The first was spoken by Jesus. The second was spoken by Philip — the apostle who heard the invitation, believed it immediately, and passed it on, word for word, to a skeptic who doubted whether anything good could come from where Jesus came from.
Philip did not argue with Nathanael. He did not present a case or offer a theological defense. He simply said: Come and see. Three words. An open door. A trust that what Nathanael would find at the end of the road would be worth the journey.
That is what Saintly Journeys Ministry says to every seeker, every day. Philip spoke these words first. They are his — and because they are his, the ministry that carries them also carries him.
Philip was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, a fisherman from Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee — the same town as Peter and Andrew. He appears most prominently in the Gospel of John, where four distinct moments reveal his character across the arc of Jesus’ ministry.
He was a layman. He carried no religious credentials, no priestly training, no institutional authority. He was called directly by Jesus with two words — “Follow me” — and he followed immediately. His first act was to find his friend and share the news. He was present at Pentecost and carried the Gospel into the world beyond Jerusalem.
Jesus found Philip and said simply: “Follow me.” Philip obeyed immediately and went straight to Nathanael. When Nathanael doubted, Philip did not argue. He said: Come and see.
Philip calculated honestly: “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient.” His honesty with his own limits is a model for every seeker who comes with more questions than answers.
When Greek pilgrims came wanting to see Jesus, they approached Philip first. He was the bridge between the outsider and the Christ. This ministry builds the same bridge for every tradition and none.
Philip asked honestly: “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” He did not pretend to understand. This ministry holds space for every honest question a seeker carries to the road.
Philip was among the Eleven when the Holy Spirit fell at Pentecost. He then carried the Gospel into Greece, Syria, and Phrygia. The road that began with Come and see ended with being sent.
Jesus said Follow me and Philip followed without condition, without credentials, without negotiation. The Come & See spirit in a single moment.
John 1:43His first act after meeting Jesus was to find his friend. Every blog post, every course, every Brotherhood gathering is Philip’s first act — repeated daily.
John 1:45Greek seekers came to Philip first when they wanted to see Jesus. He was the bridge between the outsider and the Christ. This ministry builds the same bridge.
John 12:21He asked directly: Show us the Father. He did not perform certainty he did not have. This ministry holds space for every honest question on the road.
John 14:8He did not send Nathanael alone. He walked with him. That is the Come & See philosophy: not a pointer, but a companion on the road.
John 1:46St. Philip the Apostle is recognized and venerated across every stream of the Christian faith. He belongs to the whole household of God. For a ministry that welcomes non-denominational, Protestant, and Catholic seekers equally, Philip carries an ecumenical authority that no denominationally-specific saint could offer.
His invitation — Come and see — was never addressed to one tradition. It was addressed to a skeptic on a road. That road is open to everyone who comes.
“Come and see.” — Philip (John 1:46)
Two verses apart. The same road.
Philip heard the invitation and passed it on, word for word.
This ministry does the same. The Tag Scripture of Saintly Journeys Ministry
Each year on May 3, Saintly Journeys Ministry pauses to honor St. Philip’s feast day and renew the Come and see invitation. His feast falls within the Season of the Sent in the Saintly Journeys Pilgrim Year — the mission season when every pilgrim is sent to bear fruit. Philip’s first words were Come and see, and his feast arrives in the season when we are sent to say the same.
No comments:
Post a Comment