Studies by Book
01 Acts 10 01-08 THE LORD REACHES CORNELIUS 01 Acts 10 01-02 Cornelius a devout man
📖 Acts 10:01-08
01 – Sat22Jun2024 – *Cornelius, a devout man* - _Acts 10:01-08_ – THE LORD REACHES CORNELIUS – _Acts 10:22_
_Acts 10:1-2 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, (2) a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
We now move to Caesarea and watch how the Lord used Peter as His instrument to widen the Gospel. This widening of the Gospel was by reaching a Roman Centurion, Cornelius.
Cornelius with his group of 100 soldiers under him were Italians. Just as the Lord reached the land and people of Ethiopia, through the ministry of Philip to the Ethiopian Eunuch, the Lord was causing the growth of the Gospel to the land of Italy through Peter and Cornelius.
In all that is happening around us, we must see what the Lord is accomplishing on a larger scale and we must be praying and seeking to be a part of what the Lord is doing. If the church in every place were conscious of this truth, then our prayer life would be about ushering the kingdom of God into our nations.
The Gospel had already reached Caesarea. _Acts 8:40 But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea._
There was a church in Caesarea. Philip lived in Caesarea. _Acts 21:8 On the next day we who were Paul's companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered *the house of Philip the evangelist*, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him_. Yet, the Lord was preparing Peter to go to the home of Cornelius.
It was important for Peter to be associated with Cornelius for *the Lord was moving the church elders in Jerusalem to welcome the Gentiles into the kingdom of God*. We must see that this is how the Lord is moving things to complete the purposes of His kingdom. We must therefore be intentional and engaged with the plans of God.
Caesarea was an important place for the Romans for the Roman army was based here to administer the region. Cornelius was here in Caesarea. Cornelius was a devout man.
Romans in general detested the Jews. The Roman hedonistic culture was accepted in other places quite readily but not by the Jews. Revolts were regular in Judea against the Romans.
Yet, we see that Cornelius took steps to reach out to the Jews. _Acts 10:22 And they said, "Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and *has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews*, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you."_
Cornelius presents for us a person who fears God but has not yet come to faith in Jesus. Peter gives us a basis to understand the ways of God in this matter.
_Acts 10:34-38 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that *God shows no partiality*. (35) But *in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him*. (36) The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through *Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all*— (37) that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: (38) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, *who went about doing good* and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him._
Peter is showing us that those who fear God and work righteousness are accepted by Him. At the same time, the message of reconciliation with God through Jesus is preached in the region. Jesus’ life and ministry were known to all in the area. Therefore, Peter is tying up both together by saying that *the one who genuinely fears God will be brought to faith in Jesus*.
*Cornelius, a man who feared God, coming to faith in Jesus, was the natural progression.* These are not separate. This is how we must see the sharing of the Gospel with people around us.
There are people around us, of different faith positions, who genuinely fear God. It is for us, like Peter, to connect with such people and bring them to faith in Jesus. This is the organic development of the Gospel.
*When there is the fear of God in any society or culture then that society is in a ripe place to come to faith in Jesus.* We must pray that our societies and nations will fear God. If our nations are not fearing God then we the church are to be blamed. When the people fear God then the Gospel will reach them. This is sequential.
It is for the church to demonstrate this fear of God in the culture within the church. This will cause the growth of the Gospel. _Acts 9:31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And *walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied*._
The fear of God in Cornelius was in him and his family. This is an important indicator of a person who fears God. *Our life must be genuine before the people closest to us.* If people close to us are disconnected from us and not seeking God, then it shows that we are not living in fear of God.
```Cornelius is setting an example to the church.```