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Conversion of a Good Man - Acts 10
Conversion of a Good Man - Acts 10
I first thought that Cornelius must have been an accordion player as the KJ said he was a 'member of the Italian band'. Learning a bit more I realized he was part of an occupation army of the Roman Legion. What a shock it must have been for this Italian to be stationed now in Judea with these fanatical religious people. Yet, Cornelius proved himself to be yet another Centurion that is mentioned in good light in the New Testament.
As a leader among the occupation army, he would have had opportunity to be greedy, powerful, and ungodly. Instead, we find that he became a 'God-fearer'. This was actually a term used in the first century to describe those who followed the teaching of Moses BUT had not been circumcised and become a proselyte. This gentile took this very serious as Luke describes him as "a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God" (Acts 10:2). His servants further described him as "an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the Jewish nation" (vs. 22). For one of the leading men in an occupation army to be well spoken of by the people of the land is a remarkable testimony to his character. We find him to be quick to obey when the angel of the Lord commands him to send for Peter (vs. 7-8). When Peter arrives, we find that Cornelius had called together his relatives and close friends (vs. 24). He stated to Peter that they had gathered with the purpose of hearing "all that you have been commanded by the Lord" (10:33).
Knowing all of this, many people would assume that such a man is then OK and right with God. Yet, he is instructed to send for Peter who would "declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and your household" (11:14). He YET needed to be saved.
We learn that part of this process was 'repentance that leads unto life' (11:18). Along with this, Peter 'commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (10:48). Such baptism in the name of Jesus was a baptism in water (10:47) and was 'unto the remission of sins' (2:38). It was not enough that he was a good man and well spoken of, he needed to become a disciple of Jesus.
Cornelius is put forth as the first of the nations to become Christians. He did so without becoming a Jew or a proselyte. He did so apart from circumcision and the keeping of the law of Moses. Luke writes that 'the Gentiles also had received the word of God' (11:1). As in Acts 2:41, as many as received the word were baptized. In repentance he turned from sin. He was then buried in baptism, in which he was made alive, and thus raised to walk in newness of life. (cp. Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:10-13).
I wish there were more men like Cornelius in our day. I wish that those non-Christians that we live among were upright like Cornelius. I wish that there were more that were ready to hear all that was commanded of the Lord.
Hugh DeLong
