Acts of the Apostles describes Philip (a different Philip than one of the Twelve) as one of the “Seven” appointed to care for the Hellenist widows and a missionary. Crowds in Samaria “paid attention” when they saw the signs he was doing. What made Philip and his colleagues brave the task and occasional danger of preaching to people who had never heard of “the Christ”? One resource must have been the signs and healing that reinforced their message. Another was perhaps the rational explanations they provided, which is spelled out in 1 Peter: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame.”  

Exhortations to spread the gospel with rational arguments and respect for hearers’ ability to be moved by logic and clarity occur more than once in early Christian literature. 1 Peter’s exhortation is a good example of Christian apologetics. Christianity became known for valuing persuasion and respecting reason. Think of the great Christian thinkers, Augustine, Aquinas, among them, and the number of universities founded by Christians. The common phrase “faith seeking understanding” (Latin fides quaerens intellectum), traditionally associated with St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109), asserts that while faith comes first, it naturally leads individuals to seek understanding of the truths they believe. 

But intellectual argument is not enough, and John’s Gospel mentions a third resource for Christians: Jesus’s request to the Father to send his followers “the Spirit of Truth,” whom the world neither sees nor knows. Today’s excerpt from the Gospel of John is the first of its five mentions of the “Paraclete,” often translated in English as “Advocate.” Though the word can have a narrow legal meaning, it is best understood in the Gospel more broadly as someone standing at your side when you face difficulties — accused, unsure of what to say, or requiring defense. The common translations, “consoler” and “comforter,” are secondary; the primary meaning is someone of influence in the community who can authoritatively come to your aid. These three resources available to the earliest missionaries are available to us today. 

Richard Clifford, S.J., has taught biblical studies for 55 years, most recently at the Clough School of Theology and Ministry, Boston College, and has written many scholarly and popular books and articles.