Acts 10:1-5 (NKJV) 1 "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter."
I’ve been having a most blessed time learning about Cornelius in Acts 10 during my quiet time today.
Cornelius was a godly, gentile, Roman military commander, based in Caesarea—a city that Herod had built and decorated, but now abandoned and destroyed by the ravages of the sea like its human founder who was ravaged by his ungodliness. Cornelius made better choices, experienced conversion and the accompanying transformation apparently, and therefore was highly thought of by all men in his day.
Cornelius is describe as a man who was devout, who feared God with all his household—amazing, gave generously, prayed to God persevering, had such a relationship with God that God could speak to him, instruct him, and Cornelius immediately obeyed. Not only that but he’s also called a just man who feared—reverenced—God, and called for Peter to come and instruct him—in fact it says he immediately sent for Peter. And, by the way, was so serious about learning more about God‘s ways, he fasts until he hears from God, which came at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.
What a great man to emulate.
His character, his influence on his entire family to the point of their conversion, his close relationship to God, his willingness to sacrifice some food for the sake of hearing from God, and his immediate obedience, to say nothing of calling his friends together to hear what Peter had to say, is so inspiring. What a precious time studying.
I want to be like Cornelius: devout, just, reverencing and worshipping God, influence on my entire family, caring about others, willing to sacrifice for the sake of the relationship, etc. I hope you do too!
My study material consisted of the Bible with help from the “Blue Letter Bible” app. I am also reading these days on confession.