Cornelius: Roman Vet & First Gentile Convert

Scripture Reading:  Acts 10:1-8, 23b-29, 34-42

This is a synopsis, or quick review, of the sermon for Sunday morning, November 10, 2024.  I am only hitting the highlights of the message, not reproducing the entire sermon. 

We have been looking at what “the power” of the Holy Spirit is in the Book of Acts.   As you may recall, we saw the promise of “Holy Spirit power” by Jesus as He ascended back into glory in Acts 1:8.  Today being Veteran’s Day weekend, I want to jump ahead and look at the conversion of a Roman Centurion who became the first Gentile convert to Christianity.

Cornelius was a centurion in the Roman Army.  He was an officer in charge of 100 active soldiers, 60 swordsmen and 40 spearmen, plus all the support staff to pay, house, and feed them.  It was a position of great trust and responsibility, as “centures” were the major maneuver formations used by the Roman Empire to secure and hold its territory.  Most Centurions were Roman citizens, all could read and had leadership and decision making qualities.  Their position made them wealthy.  We might say they were lower portion of the upper class.

Cornelious was from the Italian Regiment (NIV), or Cohort as they were called in Roman times.  The Cohort was an upper level command and the names referred to where the “Cohort” had been recruited.  Italy in the early empire era was the Southern area of what we call Italy today.  The natives there spoke italic rather than Latin.  Cornelius was most likely an Italian Gentile, raised in the pagan world of Rome.

So here in Acts 10, we meet Cornelius, a wealthy centurion, and a man of influence.  He was based in Caesarea, on the Palestine Coast, the Roman Capitol of Greater Judea.  He, however, saw something lacking in his life.  As he searched for “true meaning” in life, he gave much of his money to the misfortunates in his area.  He was a “God-Fearer.”  This is a Jewish term for Gentiles who attended the local synagogue and heard messages about the Jewish God and His moral codes.  The utter bankruptcy of pagan religion and decline in morals in the Roman Empire during the later days of Emperor Tiberius is recorded in the histories of the empire.  The vacuum of “morals” in this materialistic and sensual era pushed many honest Gentiles to seek truth outside of traditional paganism.  Many found it in the Synagogue but did not become full Jewish proselytes.         

Interestingly, our story starts with Cornelius praying in his home, the very hour that Jewish prayers were being made at the Temple in Jerusalem.  An Angel of God came to answer Cornelius’ prayer and said, “Send to Jappa for a man named Simon also called Peter.  He will tell you what you need to know.”  He did so immediately.

We skipped over the story on how God prepared Peter to preach to a Gentile audience.  We will deal with that at another time.  We pick up the story three days later, when Peter arrives at Cornelius’ house.  This meeting is not with Cornelius alone.  He has invited many family members, friends, and associates to hear the message of Peter.

Peter’s message was the same as it was when he spoke to the Jewish audiences.  Jesus is from God.  He came to die for the sins of mankind.  He was killed by the people He came to save, but He rose from the dead.  His death made salvation possible for all who believe on Him for salvation.

I see two small differences in the presentation.  To the Jewish audience he says Jesus is the Christ (Messiah).  To the Gentiles he simply names Jesus as Jesus Christ.  Gentiles were not looking for a long prophesied “Messiah.”  Also, he omits references to any “covenantal” relationship with God’s people.  Peter starts, instead, by saying God is not one who “shows favoritism,” but is willing to save all who “fear Him and do what is right.”  Same Gospel, only a different starting point.

The end result was that the Gentile audience responded in faith, and began speaking in tongues just as the Jewish believers had done on the day of Pentecost.  Peter and his Jewish companions were astonished.  God was accepting Gentiles into the Church just like He had the Jewish believers.  Salvation is for all peoples, just as God said to Abraham way back in Gen 12:3b, “All people of the earth will be blessed through you.”

Have you put your faith in Jesus Christ as your savior?

God Bless.  

CH Jim Odell