Cornelius (Acts 10; Acts 11:1–18)

Centurion of the Italian Band, at Cæsarea

A centurion at Cæsarea, a devout man who feared God with all his house, who was told by an angel to send for Simon Peter, and on whose household, as Peter spoke, the Holy Spirit fell, so that they were baptized.

Acts introduces him: “a certain man in Cæsarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always” (Acts 10:1-2).

An angel of God told him, “Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and fetch one Simon, who is surnamed Peter” (Acts 10:4-5). He sent men at once. When Peter came, Cornelius had called together “his kinsmen and his near friends” (Acts 10:24), and said to Peter, “Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord” (Acts 10:33).

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word” (Acts 10:44), and Peter commanded them to be baptized (Acts 10:48). Back at Jerusalem, Peter told the matter in order, and those who heard “glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life” (Acts 11:18). Acts tells nothing more of Cornelius.

Strengths

• Prayer
• Almsgiving
• Prompt obedience
• Reverence for God with his household
• Readiness to hear

Themes

• The gospel to the Gentiles
• Prayer and alms
• Obedience to a vision
• The Spirit poured out
• A household that hears

The angel's word to Cornelius (Acts 10:1–8)

At the ninth hour Cornelius sees an angel of God, who tells him that his prayers and alms have gone up for a memorial before God and to send to Joppa for Simon Peter.

The angel's word to Cornelius

“He saw in a vision openly, as it were about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius” (Acts 10:3). He answered, “What is it, Lord?” (Acts 10:4).

“Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and fetch one Simon, who is surnamed Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side” (Acts 10:4-6). Cornelius called two of his household-servants and a devout soldier, told them everything, and sent them to Joppa (Acts 10:7-8).

His men come to Peter at Joppa (Acts 10:17–23)

The men sent by Cornelius ask for Simon Peter, saying Cornelius was warned by a holy angel to send for him and hear words from him; Peter lodges them and goes with them next day.

Peter enters his house (Acts 10:24–33)

Cornelius has called together his kinsmen and near friends; he meets Peter and falls down at his feet, and Peter raises him up.

Peter enters his house

“And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kinsmen and his near friends” (Acts 10:24). “Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter raised him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man” (Acts 10:25-26).

Cornelius told Peter of the angel's word and said, “Forthwith therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come” (Acts 10:33).

The Holy Spirit falls on the hearers (Acts 10:34–48)

While Peter is still speaking the Holy Spirit falls on all who hear; they speak with tongues and magnify God, and Peter commands that they be baptized.

The Holy Spirit falls on the hearers

Peter said, “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him” (Acts 10:34-35). “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word” (Acts 10:44).

“Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 10:46-48).

Peter tells it at Jerusalem (Acts 11:1–18)

Those of the circumcision contend with Peter for going in to uncircumcised men; he expounds the matter, and they glorify God that the Gentiles also have repentance unto life.

Peter (Acts 10:5–8; Acts 10:24–48)

Cornelius sent for him at the angel's word; Peter went to his house and spoke there.

His household (Acts 10:2; Acts 10:24)

He feared God with all his house (Acts 10:2); he called together his kinsmen and near friends to hear Peter (Acts 10:24).

Major sections

• Acts 10
• Acts 11:1–18

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