One of my favorite conversion stories in the Book of Acts is that of Cornelius, the Roman Centurion. In fact, one of the first sermons I ever delivered came from this passage. In that lesson and even my later studies of the passage, I must admit, I focused more on Peter than on Cornelius. You see, I had thought it quite interesting how God chose to use Peter to take the Gospel to this gentile. I found it intriguing how God helped Peter overcome his ethnic and spiritual prejudice so that he would accept Cornelius and his gentile family and friends into the fellowship of the Church.
Since that time, I have read a great many books on Rome, the Roman army and the relationship between Rome and the subjugated nations and peoples within her Empire. With that newly acquired knowledge, I have come to view the Roman centurion, Cornelius, as a truly extraordinary man. He is a man that we all can admire. He is a man that we all can and should rightfully imitate in so many ways.
1. CORNELIUS, THE HUMBLE ROMAN.
Our passage, at first glance, might not appear to provide much details on Cornelius and his background. On the contrary, we can glean quite a bit of information from the facts presented in the very first Verse of Chapter 10.
First of all, his name - Cornelius - tells us that he was Italian. Secondly, we are told that he was a Roman soldier. By this we know that he was, at least, 5’8’’ in height. Not only was Cornelius a soldier, he was a fairly high-ranking officer. He was a Centurion. This tells us that he was over thirty years old because it took 12 to 16 years of military service to be eligible for promotion to such a rank. Furthermore, from his being a Centurion we know that Cornelius was a literate man who had to have shown administrative skills along with combat leadership.
Now, there were sixty grades or levels of rank even within the office of Centurion. To be of the lowest rank of Centurion meant that you were responsible for a "Century"; that is, a unit of 80 soldiers. The highest ranking Centurion was the leader of a "Cohort"; that is, 480 soldiers and a sizable administrative staff.
The Scripture says that Cornelius was the leader of a "band". Most Greek teachers believe that this word "band" refers to a Roman Cohort, meaning that Cornelius would be on the higher end of the ranking system of Centurions. I believe that the Scriptures lend support to that being the case in two ways: Firstly, Cornelius had the authority, as we shall see in this passage, to dispatch a soldier on an obvious personal errand. A low ranking Centurion would never have had such authority. Secondly, Cornelius enjoyed the presence of his family, a privilege granted only to those of the upper ranks.
Cornelius’ Cohort is referred to as the "Italian" Cohort. In Cornelius’ day, about 65% of all Roman soldiers were Italian. That percentage was decreasing year by year. Most likely, this Cohort was entirely composed of soldiers recruited from Italy; thus, the nickname.
Cornelius was stationed at Caesarea, a coastal city about 50 miles Northwest of Jerusalem. Caesarea was the seat of Roman government in Palestine and Syria. This is where the Roman governor was head-quartered. I theorize that Cornelius’ Cohort - being entirely Italian - was responsible in part for the Roman governor’s security. At this time, Marcellus - Pontius Pilate’s successor - was governor.
We need to remember that Rome conquered the territories the New Testament calls Judea, Galilee and Samaria 60 years before the birth of Christ. From that time, the Jews increasingly ceased to be a free and independent nation. They were ruled by people of Rome’s choosing.
The Jews never fully accepted their being a part of the Roman Empire and so, from time to time, they would resist Roman authority. For this reason, Rome had to constantly keep military troops in and around the Jewish nation to keep them from outright rebellion.
If the Jews - on this account - had a negative view toward their Roman masters and the Roman troops, the feeling was very much reciprocated by the Romans. Pagan Rome was the epitome of arrogance. Romans thought they were the superior civilization. They believed that they ruled the world because they alone were wise and powerful. They viewed most other peoples and their cultures as being inferior.
Most Roman soldiers and their officers shared that contempt for the peoples they conquered. Though officially prohibited, it was not uncommon for Roman troops to oppress the people they conquered and ruled over. There were cases where Roman soldiers were guilty of assaults and robberies. Their officers, if they were not doing the same, would turn a blind eye to such misdeeds. This was just an indication of their arrogance and the total disregard for the people they ruled over.
What an amazing contrast we find in Cornelius.
Cornelius was devoid of prejudice. It is evident that he did not look-down on the Jewish people. Rather than being contemptuous of the Jewish race and their customs, he showed them courtesy and respect. As we shall see, he demonstrated this in many ways. However, his lack of arrogance and prejudice is most clearly apparent in his adopting the God of the conquered.
Cornelius was a believer and worshipper of the God of the Jews. He abandoned the gods of Rome and submitted himself to Jehovah, as the one true God. I believe it is hard for us to totally appreciate Cornelius’ decision.
All but the most educated Romans believed in many gods and goddesses. Serving and appeasing their multiple deities was a major element of Roman life. However, this was an obsession within the Roman military. To not honor the gods, especially Mars, was tantamount to treason. If Mars and the other gods were not honored and placated, it would mean defeat in battle. Anywhere and everywhere the Roman Army went, with it went portable pagan shrines for worship and sacrifice. The Army’s religious rituals were extensive. And whom do you suppose were responsible to ensure that the troops were observing the necessary rites and rituals and who were serving as priests during those rites and rituals..... the centurions.
Cornelius rejected his cultural background, he courageously bucked the system around him by renouncing paganism and accepting the true Faith of the true God. That is impressive to me.
2. CORNELIUS, THE DEVOUT GENTILE.
In Verse 2, it says that Cornelius was a "devout" man. The word "devout" is the Greek ’eusebes’, which means holy awe or reverence that shows itself in activity. This tells me that Cornelius’ faith was not just confined to the heart, it was demonstrated in active deeds.
Cornelius was not like those described by Paul, in Titus 1:16, "They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed." Cornelius understood the teaching found in James 2:20, that "faith without works is useless."
What deeds did Cornelius perform that showed his faith and reverence?
Well, it wasn’t attending worship services. You see, Cornelius was not invited to attend Jewish worship services because he was an uncircumcised Gentile (Acts 11:3). An uncircumcised man could not enter a synagogue nor the Temple in Jerusalem. He was not welcome.
Nevertheless, even though he was denied the opportunity to worship in synagogue and Temple, Cornelius worshipped in all the ways he knew he was able.
Cornelius could not be prevented from praying. So, it says that he did so "always" or "continually".
For a believer in God, praying should come as natural as breathing. Yet, if the truth be told, very few of us could favorably be compared to Cornelius. Some brethren do not pray beyond worship services. Most brethren make an effort to ’offer thanks’ or ’ask the blessing’ at meal times and during times of trouble. The really zealous might actually pray at the start of day and before we go to bed at night. But, how many of us fulfill the command in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray without ceasing"?
So many of my brothers and sisters do not feel that they have a close relationship with God. They do not feel the presence of God in their lives. When I quiz these particular brethren about their prayer life, almost in every case they confess that they are rather sluggish or negligent in this area.
How can we expect God to be near to us if we are far from Him? James 4:8 promises us that if we "draw near to God... He will draw near to [us]." Prayer is the most intimate way in which we can draw near to our God. I do not know of a better and swifter way to be close to God and tap into His love and His power and His joy and His peace than through fervent prayer.
I know that our lives are busy. I know how hectic they can be. But, being a child of God, we know that we need to have different priorities. We need to put our relationship with God at the top of the list. Not only does God deserve to be there but we need Him to be there.
Prayer is worship. God is worthy of our praise. God is worthy of our thanksgiving. Hebrews 13:15, "Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His Name."
Prayer provides an opportunity to express our needs and have them met. Hebrews 4:14-16, "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,... Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.". Philippians 4:6-7, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
One of the best ways to be a blessing to others is to pray for them. 1 Timothy 2:1, "I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men." We need to especially keep our fellow Christians in our prayers. Ephesians 6:18, "pray at all times.... be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints."
But, when it comes to being a blessing to others, we must not stop with prayer. Over twenty years ago, I came across a poem that greatly affected my life. It speaks to this very thought:
Live the Way You Pray
I knelt to pray when day was done,
And prayed: "Oh, Lord, bless everyone;
Lift from each saddened heart the pain
And let the sick be well again."
And then I awoke another day
And carelessly went on my way.
The whole day long I did not try
To wipe a tear from any eye;
I did not try to share the load
Of any brother on the road;
I did not even go to see
The sick man just next door to me.
Yet once again when day was done,
I prayed: "O, Lord, bless everyone."
But as I prayed, into my ear
There came a voice that whispered clear,
"Pause, hypocrite, before you pray;
Whom have you tried to bless today?
"God’s sweetest blessings always go
By hands that serve him here below."
And then I hid my face and cried,
"Forgive me, God, for I have lied;
Let me but live another day,
And I will live the way I pray."
We find that Cornelius was one who ’lived the way he prayed’; for, the Scripture says that he "gave much alms to the people." The word "alms" means an act of mercy and compassion. It can and often does mean tending to the needs of the poor but is not confined to that. It is any act by which you demonstrate your love by a deed of kindness.
If there was ever an Age in which we need more deeds of kindness, it would be today. So many people are so pre-occupied with themselves and their well-being that they forget about their fellow neighbor. So many people have adopted the attitude or philosophy that when my needs get met, then I’ll concern myself with the needs of others. When I become happy and content, then I’ll think about ways to bring happiness and good cheer to others.
People who have such an attitude are tragically misdirected. Paul told the brethren in Ephesus (Acts 20:35) that Jesus taught that "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Jesus is telling us that true happiness comes, not when you concentrate on what you might acquire for yourself or obtain from others, but when you meet the needs and well-being of other people.
As Christians, we are ’Givers’ not just because we seek the satisfaction promised by Jesus. We are ’Givers’ because we want to imitate our Master, Who (Vs. 38) "went about doing good."
We also are ’Givers’ because we wish to glorify our God. Jesus taught, in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in Heaven." Again, in John 15:8, "By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples."
Cornelius’ alms or kind deeds did shine forth. In Acts 10:22, it is said that he was "well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews." Imagine that - a Gentile Roman Centurion being praised by the Jews!
What is your reputation in your neighborhood or the people you come in contact with. Would they give a report about you as the Jews gave for Cornelius?
The Jews were not the only party that took note of Cornelius’ good works and kind deeds. An angel appeared to Cornelius while he prayed. The angel proclaimed, in 10:4, "your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God." And, again, in Verse 31, "Your alms have been remembered before God."
Never think, brothers and sisters, that our good deeds go unnoticed by God. As Paul reassures us, in Hebrews 6:10, "God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His Name."
1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."
3. CORNELIUS, THE FAMILY SPIRITUAL LEADER.
Another praiseworthy attribute we see in Cornelius is brought to our attention in the words found in Acts 10:2: he was "one who feared God with all his household." In other words, Cornelius was a spiritual leader in his family. In this, Cornelius is a good example for us husbands and fathers.
After the sin of Adam and Eve, God placed the responsibility of the family’s spiritual well-being upon the shoulders of the man of the house.
God made it clear to Abraham, in Genesis 18:19, that, as the man of the family, he was to "command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice."
During the Mosaic Age, says Psalm 78:5-7, God "appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should teach them to their children, that the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they might arise and tell them to their children, that they should put their confidence in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments."
In this Christian Age, it is no different. Paul instructs (Ephesians 5:29) that the man is to provide spiritual guidance and support to his Wife, "nourishing and cherishing [her] just as Christ also does the Church." As for the children, Ephesians 6:4, "fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
It is interesting that, in this passage, Paul first warns us fathers to make sure that the manner in which we provide spiritual leadership does not cause our children to become angry and resentful of our religion and God. We must not demand more than what can and should be expected at their particular level of maturity. Colossians 3:21, "Fathers, do not exasperate your children, that they may not lose heart."
Does that mean that we ought not have household rules and standards based upon the Scriptures and enforce them? Not at all. Rules and standards help children develop discipline. Furthermore, if children do not learn to respect parental rules and understand the importance of submission and obedience within our homes, how can we ever expect them to respect God and submission to His Will in their adult lives.
However, we must not narrowly focus on strict obedience and neglect the foundations of obedience such as faith and love. The Apostle says in 1 Timothy 1:5, "The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." This has reference to pulpit preaching; however, it is just as true for the father’s instruction of his children. I dare say that if we can instill and maintain faith in God and love for God within our children, obedience will come naturally.
Instructing our children involves, according to 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12, lots of "exhorting and encouraging and imploring." Balancing firmness and gentleness is a skill which we fathers must seek from God. Every sincere father will spend a lot of time on his knees while he seeks to raise his children according to God’s Will.
4. CORNELIUS, THE NOT YET CONVERTED EVANGELIST.
Cornelius was an impressive man. There are many men, today, who are not half the man that Cornelius was who flatter themselves that their prospects for eternity are pretty good. But, you know, for all of Cornelius’ reverence, and faith, and praying, and good deeds, and family spiritual leadership.... he was not saved!
The angel instructed Cornelius to send for the Apostle Peter. According to Acts 11:14, the angel said that Peter "shall speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household."
Cornelius was a good man. But, being good is not enough for salvation. Cornelius was a religious man. But, being religious is not enough for salvation. It is only when we believe in Jesus, the Son of God, as our only Savior and submit to Him as our only Lord and Master can we be saved. John 3:36, "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
That Cornelius had heard about Jesus’ earthly ministry is plainly stated in Chapter 10:37-38. But, Cornelius was about to be given the opportunity to learn how to receive the salvation that Jesus alone offers. He was going to be given the privilege of obeying the Gospel.
But, before we read of that, I would have you notice something extraordinary. The length of time from the moment that the angel first directed Cornelius to send for Peter to the moment that Peter arrived to preach, was a period of four days (10:30).
Cornelius put those four days to great use. In what way? Well, in Chapter 10:27, we are told what Peter came upon as he entered the Centurion’s house - "he entered and found many people assembled."
Peter left Joppa for Caesarea thinking he would be engaging in ’personal work’ teaching Cornelius but, upon arriving, found out that he would be preaching to many people!
Who were these people in Cornelius’ house? The answer is found in Verse 24, Cornelius "had called together his relatives and close friends."
Imagine that, before Cornelius himself is converted and saved, he is already making sure that his blood relatives and close friends have the same opportunity to hear the Gospel of salvation. Not only is this a testimony of Cornelius’ faith, but it is a testimony of his zeal for the things of God and true love for his family and friends.
How many of our blood relatives know that we are followers of Jesus? With how many of our blood relatives have we shared Jesus? How many of our kin have we taught the ’plan and steps of salvation’?
I’ve had to bury two of my relatives; that is, I had to officiate at their funerals. They both knew of my Faith and they both knew the ’plan of salvation’. One had obeyed the Gospel, the other hadn’t. Even though I cannot judge them in the sense of stating their eternal destiny, I will tell you that the messages I delivered at those two funerals - when compared - were quite different in tone. For the Aunt who had not obeyed, it was a typical memorial message. For the Uncle who had obeyed, it was a message of celebration.
If your family members and relatives perished today, based on your willingness to share the Gospel with them, would the funerals be a service of remembrance and mourning or would they be celebrations of blessed assurance?
How about your close friends? How many of them know that Jesus is first in your life? How many of them know your spiritual priorities and values? With how many of them have you shared the Gospel?
I know that sometimes we may be hesitant to share our Faith because we do not want to offend them or we don’t want them to think we are fanatics. We don’t want anything to mess-up the great friendship we have.
But, let me be straight-forward, how many of them do you want to spend eternity in torment? What do you think will become of your relationship when, on Judgment Day, you go to the right and they go to the left? And, as you are parting from each other, they ask, ’why didn’t you warn me and share with me the hope you had? Why did you keep this from me?’
I know that that we may have a desire to share the Gospel but feel extremely backward and totally inadequate to do it. If that is your situation, why not follow Cornelius’ example. Let others assist you in reaching your friends and loved ones.
-You can invite your family and friends to Bible studies.
-You can have a member of the Church visit your family or friends, whether it be at their place, your place, or anywhere else.
-You can give them tracts, audio tapes, or video tapes.
There are manifold ways in which to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with your relatives and friends.
As we conclude, I love the words spoken by Cornelius to Peter, in 10:33, "Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord." And after preaching to them about how forgiveness of sins can be had through Jesus, Verse 33, "he [Peter] ordered them to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ."
