234. CORNELIUS—THE FIRST GENTILE CONVERT

"God is no respecter of persons".

For many generations, Israel had lived as a people that thought itself to be a superior nation. Jews considered themselves to be pure and the Gentiles to be defiled by very birth. But Jesus, at his birth, had been declared to be a "light to lighten the Gentiles" (Luke 2:32; see Isa. 49:6). The intention of God that the Gospel include Gentiles was gradually being impressed upon the minds of the apostles. Firstly, God's calling had gone out to Samaritans, then to an Ethiopian, and now finally to a Roman citizen.

Acts 10

CORNELIUS—THE ROMAN CENTURION (verses 1-8).

Cornelius was a centurion, or captain of 100 men, and belonged to a company of soldiers called the Italian band, one of the more privileged bands of the powerful Roman army. He lived at Caesarea, the Roman headquarters in Palestine, and hometown of Philip the evangelist. Despite his occupation and his strong Roman background, there were certain features about him which were most commendable:

1. His God-fearing outlook;

2. His generosity in giving charity to the people;

3. His continual offering of prayer (ch. 10:2, 22, 35).

He was a sincere and religious man, one with whom God was able to work. God would answer his prayers. It would be easy to suppose that by good deeds such as these, a man would surely be rewarded by God with a place in the Kingdom. But that is not so. Cornelius needed to fully understand the gospel, to learn of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the only name "under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

At about 3 o'clock one afternoon as he was praying, Cornelius distinctly saw a vision in which an angel told him that his prayers and acts of charity had risen to God as an acceptable offering. Cornelius was instructed to send messengers to Joppa to fetch Simon Peter at the house of Simon the tanner, where Peter "shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved" (ch. 11:14). With these brief instructions, the angel departed.

Realising the importance of the occasion, Cornelius instructed some chosen servants, sending two of his household servants as well as a devout soldier who normally was one of his constant attendants.

PETER'S VISION (verses 9-17)

Next day at noon and while the company of men from Cornelius was still on the road to Joppa, Peter went up to the housetop to pray as was customary to the Jews. Waiting for the midday meal to be prepared Peter fell into a trance (a state like hypnotism). He saw in a vision heaven opened and a huge sheet being lowered down at its four corners. In it were all sorts of animals, reptiles and birds, obviously unclean under the Law of Moses (see Lev. 11 for details). Then a voice commanded him saying, "Rise Peter, kill and eat". But Peter was horrified at the idea. He objected' strongly, "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common (unholy) or unclean." The voice then addressed him again saying, "what God has cleansed, that call not thou common".

Three times the voice commanded him to eat. Three times Peter refused. Even though he was hungry, Peter did not forget the habits of his training. He had never eaten forbidden meats (Deut. 14:7-8) and he was not prepared to be so defiled, even though God commanded him. Suddenly the sheet and its contents were taken up into the sky.

What could a command that directly contradicted the Law of Moses mean? Peter was to soon learn that the food in the sheet represented all types of people, Jew and Gentile, and that he could no longer isolate himself from the second of these. He had yet to learn that God cleanses all who come to Him through Christ. The event which immediately followed removed all doubts about the meaning of the vision.

PETER'S DOUBTS EXPLAINED (verses 18-33).

While Peter puzzled over the meaning of the vision, the messengers from Cornelius arrived. The Spirit of God advised him to go without any hesitation with these messengers, who in fact had been sent by God Himself. Having heard from the men of the mission he was asked to accomplish, he invited them in and gave them a night's lodging.

By morning, Peter was beginning to understand the significance of the vision. He set out with six brethren from Joppa, arriving at Caesarea the next day. In this centre of Gentile domination and power they found the centurion, along with his close friends and relatives, awaiting him. Despite his position of Roman authority, Cornelius fell at Peter's feet in deep reverence and humility. However, Peter quickly raised him to his feet, telling him that he also was a man like anyone else. Walking by the centurion's side and talking with him, Peter entered his house. Even in doing this Peter was breaking the tradition he had once held. Such actions pointed to the complete breakthrough of Jewish-Gentile barriers.

Inside the house Peter found a large assembly gathered. Guided by the Spirit explained to the people that although it was not normal for a Jew to even visit a foreigner, God had shown him that he was not "common or unclean" (ch. 10:28). Peter then asked what Cornelius had called for. In reply, Cornelius related the incident - "now therefore we are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God" (v.33).

THE FAITH PETER TAUGHT (verses 34-43).

It is important that we note what Peter said. The turning point in the Acts of the Apostles had come.

1. Undoubtedly God had no favourite people. He welcomes from every nation all those who fear Him and work righteousness (e.g., Cornelius) see vv. 34-35; cp. Deut. 10:17.

2. Both the people of Israel and Cornelius knew of the Good News of peace in Jesus Christ, and of the fact that God anointed him with His Holy Spirit and of how he used it to heal people.

3. The Apostles were witnesses of this one whom the Jews slew.

4. God raised Jesus from the dead and he then showed himself openly to the Apostles, the witnesses chosen beforehand of God (their words were therefore reliable).

5. God "commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that Jesus is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name".

GOD'S UNMISTAKABLE SIGN (verses 44-48).

Before Peter had finished speaking, the sign of God's approval of the group of Gentile converts became obvious. To the astonishment of the Jews present, the Holy Spirit was poured out on these Gentiles, just as it had been on the Apostles on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 11:15; 2:4). Here were uncircumcised, unbaptised men praising the God of Israel! Turning to the six Jewish brethren who accompanied him from Joppa, an excited Peter said, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptis­ed?" It was clear to all that these Gentiles believed in Jesus Christ and that none could withstand God (Acts 11:16-17). Peter then commanded them all to be baptised in the name of the Lord.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BAPTISM OF CORNELIUS.

The incident showed that in Christ there is "neither Jew nor Greek" (Gal. 3:28) for Christ had begun to break down the hatred between Jew and Gentile, his Gospel being one of peace and fellowship for both parties. Those who were "strangers and foreigners" were now "fellow citizens with the saints" (Eph. 2:12-19). In the words of Jesus there were others not of the sheep-fold of Israel who "shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold and one Shepherd" (Jn. 10:16). Both Jew and Gentile could now obtain the repentance which leads to life for in Abraham's seed would "all nations be blessed."

The door of entrance into Christ had now been opened to the world at large. The Apostle to the Gentiles (Paul) having been chosen, all was ready for the Good News to cover the world.

LESSONS FOR US:

The events of Cornelius' baptism clearly indicated that God fully accepts Gentiles to the hope of life. Jewish and Gentile believers become "all one in Christ Jesus". This calling begun with Cornelius and continues today, with the same conditions still applying now as then. In this there are lessons for our eternal benefit. God will not accept us simply because we do good deeds. He requires baptism of us also, just as he did of Cornelius. Believing the truth is a God-given means of salvation, to the Jew first and also to the Gentile (Rom. 1:16-17). However, God does not accept "belief only" — He requires from us works of obedience as well, baptism being the first and foremost.

REFERENCE LIBRARY:

The Story of the Bible" (H. P. Mansfield)-Vol. 13, pp. 78-88

"Elpis Israel" (J. Thomas)—Part 2, Ch. 1, pp. 202-209

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:

1. Outline the character of Cornelius and show what he had to do in order to be saved.

2. Describe Peter's vision on the rooftop. What did it teach Peter?

3. What was the significance of the baptism of Cornelius?

ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1. Briefly describe the events leading up to Cornelius' baptism.

2. "God is no respecter of persons". How was this lesson impressed upon Peter at the conversion of Cornelius?