Many of us are familiar with the story of Cornelius; that he was the first foreignconvert to Christianity. Most of us remember the story, how God sent Apostle Peter to tell Cornelius about Jesus. However, many do not notice that the reason God sent Peter to bring the gift of eternal life to Cornelius was because of his faith. (Acts 10:1-11:18)
What the Bible says about Cornelius’ faith
The Bible introduces us to Cornelius in Acts Chapter 10:1-2. “There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment. He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the people and always prayed to God.”
This short introduction in Acts 10:1-2 told the readers four things about Cornelius.
Cornelius was a foreigner, a Roman centurion, living in Caesarea, which was a city of Israel. He was a devout man. The Greek word used here is εὐσεβής - eusebes. Eusebes describes someone who strictly and meticulously adheres to the teachings and practices of something.
Even though, Cornelius was a foreigner, he along with his entire household feared the God of Israel. Cornelius knew how great and powerful the God of Israel is, and feared Him.
Cornelius did many charitable deeds for the people. In other words, he showed many acts of mercy to the people. (The Bible did not give us the details.) The Greek word translated ‘charitable deeds’ is ‘ελεημοσυνας – eleemosune.’ Eleemosune may be translated into English several ways, including ‘acts of mercy,’ ‘charitable deeds,’ ‘kind acts’ and ‘alms.’ In fact, it is any act, which shows mercy and kindness to those in need.
Cornelius prayed to God always. This was not just light prayer. The Greek word used here is δεομενος –deomai. Deomai is to implore, beseech, plead, beg, or ask intensely. The one that offered this kind of prayer often would prostate himself before God, beseeching or entreating with Him.
We can conclude that Cornelius was the man of faith. He believed in God and was a devout man who rigorously followed the God of Israel whom he revered and feared. He showed his faith through his righteous acts of mercy toward the people. Finally, he prayed (implore, beseech, plead or ask intensely) to God always.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
God’s message to Cornelius
An angel appeared to Cornelius with a message from God. The angel told him “Your prayers and your acts of charity have come up for a memorial before God.” “Your prayer has been heard, and your acts of charity have been remembered in the sight of God.” (Verses 4 & 31)
Wow! What a thing to be told by God. God had seen Cornelius, made note of his character and deeds, and remembered them. Can we imagine God telling any of us that He noticed our acts of mercy, and heard our prayers, or that they are a memorial (μνημόσυνον mnemosunon = permanent record or reminder) before God?
After telling Cornelius that God had seen his faithfulness and his acts of mercy, the angel then instructed him to send for Peter who was staying in Joppa. The angel told him that Peter would tell him all he must do, that “he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.” (Acts 11:14) Cornelius immediately sent two of his servants and a devout soldier to Joppa to get Peter.
Shortly before they arrived, God gave Peter a vision. Three times he saw a blanket lowered down full of all kinds of animals. Three times a voice told him “kill and eat.” Peter refused to eat saying that he had never eaten anything common or unclean. Each time Peter refused to kill and eat the voice said, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” The vision left Peter confused and wondering what it meant. While he was still trying to understand it, Cornelius’ messengers arrived. The Spirit then told Peter that these messengers were sent by God, and that God was commanding Peter to go with them without hesitation.
Upon arriving at Cornelius’ house, Peter explained to Cornelius that in the Jewish custom it was considered unlawful (Greek word ἀθέμιτος– athemitosit, meaning out of place, not proper, or against customs) for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But, God has shown him that he should not call any man common or unclean. (Acts 10:28) Therefore, he came to Cornelius without objection.
Cornelius told Peter about the angel and what he had said. He then told Peter that they were all present before God, to hear all the things God commanded him to tell them. Cornelius and all those he had assembled were anxiously waiting to hear what Peter as God’s Holy ambassador, with God’s divine message would say.
Peter then fully comprehended the meaning of the vision. The vision was not about eating, but was about man. God was declaring Cornelius clean and acceptable before Him. At this point Peter opened his mouth and said, “In truth, I understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears Him and does righteousness is acceptable to Him.”
The Bible tells us that Peter began telling them about Jesus. That He was anointed of God with the Holy Spirit and power. That He is the one who would Judge of the living and the dead. And that everyone who believes in Him would receive forgiveness of sins through His name. As Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius and all who were hearing the word.
Peter and the six brothers, who had come with him from Joppa, were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on these foreigners. This was a real surprise. Peter and those with him did not know the foreign nations could receive the Spirit. This was a new revelation for Peter and those with him. God’s eyes were not just on the nation of Israel. He looked throughout all the nations for those who feared Him and did acts of righteousness. He was calling them out of all their own nations, which they were born, to be His also.
Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” Later, when he was challenged about it, Peter told the Jewish Christians “If God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard these things they fell silent, glorified God, and said “Then to the nations also, God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:18) Prior to this incident, the Jewish Christians supposed that only the nation of Israel would receive the gift of eternal life. They were mistaken. In truth, He accepts those from among nations that repent, and to turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. After years of the Gospel being preached to Jews, [Read Acts 10:36, 11:19-21] salvation had now come to other nations as well.
Cornelius was chosen because of his true faith in God, his Godly fear, and his acts of kindness and mercy. The Lord chose a righteous man, who already had faith in God and feared Him, and who demonstrated his faith through acts of mercy, to be the first foreigner to receive the Holy Spirit and life (born from above, a new spiritual man that would live forever.) Through the dramatic and powerful way God poured out the Holy Spirit on Cornelius, the Lord showed Peter that the message of the Gospel was for all the nations.
We must remember Peter’s conclusion. God does not show favoritism. In every nation, the person who fears Him and does righteousness is acceptable to Him. Knowing that God sees, takes note, and rewards people’s behavior should make each of us strive to be holy and acceptable by God. Nothing goes unseen by Him. Even more importantly, nothing goes unnoticed. Those who have faith in God should seek to please Him knowing that nothing under the heaven either good or evil is hidden from Him. The author of the Book of Hebrew wrote that, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrew 4:13)
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.