CONVERSION OF THE DESPICABLE (Act 8:5-17)

Acts 8:5-17 and John 8:46-48 tell us of the Conversion of the Despicable. If you look up the word “despicable” in the dictionary you will find that it means, “deserving of contempt or scorn; vile, to despise.” Treated shamefully. Daffy Duck’s"you'rrre despicable" is a perfect description of some people. If Daffy lived in the first century and if he were a Jew, he would call them despicable.

I. SAMARITANS WERE DESPICABLE! WHY?

A. Jews held Samaritans in contempt because, as the Jew viewed them, they were “half-breeds” with all the contempt the movies have portrayed go with the word. They were a mongrel race of Jewish and Gentile blood (2 Kings 17).

B. They were despicable because of their behavior? Over the centuries, they had worked evil against the Jews (Nehemiah).

II. GOD’S WORK ON BEHALF ... SAMARITANS

A. Jesus offered them the “gift of God” (John 4:9-10).

B. Phillip preached Christ (Act 8:5).

C. Phillip preached the kingdom (Act 8:12).

D. Phillip preached baptism (Act 8:12b).

III. WHAT DID THE SAMARITANS DO TO BE CONVERTED OR SAVED?

A. The Samaritans believed Phillip was a man of God, instead of a charlatan (Act 8:6).

B. The Samaritans believed gave heed to the message of Phillip (Act 8:12).

C. The Samaritans were baptized (Act 8:12b, 14-16), not just baptized, but the Samaritans were baptized into the name (Act 8:16; Lk 24:47; Acts 2:38).

D. Baptism in the name of the Lord is not appropriate children (Mat 18:3; Mark 16:16).

CONVERSION:

Psa 22:6. ... I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.... Psa 119:22. Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies. Removed–in Christ!

Conversion of the Samaritans is simple and easy. They heard the gospel, believed and gave heed to the words of God, and were baptized into Christ. They were, in the eyes of God, no longer despicable and vile, but pure and without spot! And with others, it doesn’t matter.