The early church · Caesarea, around AD 40
Cornelius in the Bible
The centurion whom God remembered. Name meaning: From the Latin Cornelius, a name borne by a Gentile officer in Caesarea
Cornelius is a centurion in Caesarea, “a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house” (Acts 10:2). An angel tells him that his prayers and alms have come up before God and instructs him to send for Peter. Peter, prepared by his own vision, proclaims Jesus Christ to him; the Holy Spirit falls on the listeners before they are even baptized. Jerusalem then recognizes that God has granted repentance to the Gentiles as well (Acts 11:18).
Key moments
- An angel appears to him: his prayers and alms have come up before God Acts 10:3–4
- He sends men to Joppa for Peter Acts 10:7–8
- He falls at Peter’s feet, and Peter lifts him up Acts 10:25–26
- He tells of his vision: “we all here present before God” Acts 10:33
- The Holy Spirit falls on the listeners Acts 10:44
- Peter commands baptism in the name of the Lord Acts 10:47–48
- Jerusalem recognizes that God has granted repentance to the Gentiles Acts 11:18
Strengths
- Devotion
- Generosity
- Prayer
- Obedience
- Humility
Weaknesses
The Bible says nothing of his faults. We see him only bowing down before Peter, who lifts him up: “I myself also am a man” (Acts 10:25-26). Despite his devotion, he still needed to hear words by which he would be saved (Acts 11:14).
Lessons for today
- God sees prayer and generosity: Cornelius’s prayers and alms “are come up for a memorial before God” (Acts 10:4).
- Devotion is no substitute for the gospel: Cornelius needed to hear words “whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved” (Acts 11:14).
- God “is no respecter of persons”: the gospel is for every nation (Acts 10:34-35).
- Obey without delay: Cornelius immediately sends for Peter (Acts 10:7-8), and Peter goes “doubting nothing” (10:20).
A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
Then Peter opened his mouth, and 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 accepted with him.
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
People around Cornelius
- Peter — The apostle God sends to him to proclaim Jesus Christ
- His relatives and close friends — Invited to his house to hear Peter
- Two servants and a devout soldier — Sent by him to Joppa to bring Peter
- An angel of God — The messenger who tells him that God has remembered him
- The brothers in Judea — Believers in Jerusalem who glorify God when they hear of his faith
Quiz: how well do you know Cornelius?
What military rank did Cornelius hold?
The text says, “a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band.” He is not a tribune, governor, or proconsul. Acts 10:1
In which city did Cornelius live?
“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius.” Peter was staying in Joppa with Simon the tanner. Acts 10:1
Whom did Cornelius send for from Joppa, on an angel’s orders?
The angel told him, “send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter.” Acts 10:5
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