Cornelius on a Mission for God

Acts 10:1–8
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Children lined up in the cafeteria of a Christian school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The teacher made a note: “Take only one, God is watching.” At the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A boy wrote a no … More

Religion

The tenth chapter of Acts tells a story that is one of the great turning points in the history of the Church. For the first time a Gentile is to be admitted into its fellowship. Since Cornelius is so important in church history, let us gather what we can learn about him.

Up the coast, about thirty miles from Joppa, was the Gentile port town of Caesarea. A soldier named Cornelius, the commander of one hundred men, lived there. He was a Gentile; however, instead of worshiping many gods as most Gentiles did, Cornelius had learned of the one true God. He had taught his family in the knowledge of that which he himself had received, though he was not saved (v. 1). He was also a generous religious man who gave much money to help others (v. 2).

One day, as he was praying, an angel appeared and spoke his name (v. 3). Cornelius was afraid and said, “What is it, Lord (v. 4)?” The angel told Cornelius to send for Peter, who was at Simon the tanner’s house, by the seaside in Joppa (vv. 5-6). He would tell Cornelius what to do. When the angel had gone, the centurion called for three men (two of his trusted servants and a soldier) and explained to them everything that had happened (vv. 7-8). He told them to go to Joppa to bring Peter back with them. Peter knew nothing about Cornelius, the angel, or the three men who were on their way to him.

Today’s passage shows us that the Lord’s ways are not always the way we may be thinking. Isaiah 55:8 says. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord.”

Application

The difference between Cornelius and many religious people today is that he knew his religion was not sufficient to save him. I am so thankful to the Lord that my salvation does not depend on my works, but on His grace. If I had to depend on my works to save me, I would never make it.