How does Acts 10:4 challenge the belief in salvation by faith alone? The Passage Itself “Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, ‘What is it, Lord?’ The angel answered, ‘Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.’” (Acts 10:4) Immediate Narrative Context Cornelius is introduced as “a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, giving alms generously to the people and praying to God continually” (10:2). Yet the angel does not declare him saved; instead he instructs Cornelius to send for Peter “who will convey to you a message by which you and all your household will be saved” (11:14). Cornelius’s piety gains God’s attention, but gospel proclamation and Spirit-empowered faith are still required (10:43–48). Why the Verse Appears to Challenge Sola Fide 1. The angel’s commendation could be construed as merit-based acceptance. 2. Cornelius receives supernatural visitation prior to explicit faith in Christ. 3. The phrase “have ascended” sounds final or complete. Biblical Canon in Harmony Scripture teaches unequivocally that justification is “by grace … through faith … not by works” (Ephesians 2:8–9), that God “justifies the ungodly” apart from works (Romans 4:4–5), and that “by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified” (Galatians 2:16). Acts 10:4 must therefore be interpreted in a way that does not contradict these clear affirmations. Cornelius as an Illustration of Prevenient Grace, Not Meritorious Earning • General Revelation: Cornelius responds to the light he has—creation (Psalm 19:1–4) and Israel’s synagogue teaching—much like Job before the Mosaic Law. • God’s Drawing: “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:44). The vision is the Father’s drawing, leading him to Peter’s gospel. • Preparatory Righteousness: Proverbs 15:29 notes that the Lord “hears the prayer of the righteous.” Such “righteous” status is relational, not forensic; God hears seekers (Jeremiah 29:13) yet still calls them to repent and believe (Acts 17:30). Sequence of Events Undercuts a Works-Gospel 1. Piety noticed – v.4 2. Gospel needed – v.5–6 3. Gospel spoken – v.34–43 4. Faith given – v.44 (“the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the message”) 5. Baptism follows – v.48 If alms and prayers saved, steps 2–5 are superfluous. James 2 and Cornelius: Complementary, Not Contradictory James teaches that authentic faith produces works as evidence (James 2:17–24). Cornelius’s almsgiving mirrors this principle: when saving faith comes (10:44), his prior benevolence becomes evidence of a heart already softened by God, not the cause of salvation. Patristic and Reformational Voices • Augustine: “God rewards what He Himself has given.” (Enchiridion 32) • Calvin: Cornelius’s works “were fruits of adoption yet to be revealed.” (Institutes 3.14.9) These testimonies keep Acts 10 within a grace-first framework. Historical and Manuscript Corroboration Codex Vaticanus (4th c.) and Codex Sinaiticus (4th c.) uniformly read μνημόσυνόν with no variant offering a soteriological nuance. Early citations in Irenaeus (Adv. Haer. 3.12.13) treat the verse as precedent for God’s outreach to Gentiles, never as proof of salvation by merit. Answering the Objection Point-by-Point 1. Objection: Cornelius is accepted because of works. Response: Acceptance (hearing his prayers) precedes salvation; it is an invitation, not completion. 2. Objection: God must save those who do good, regardless of faith. Response: Peter’s sermon culminates: “Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” (10:43) The narrative structure makes belief indispensable. 3. Objection: The verse suggests synergism. Response: The text shows monergistic grace—God initiates (angelic vision), provides the preacher (Peter), grants faith (Spirit outpouring), and seals the believer, while Cornelius merely responds. Practical Take-Aways for Today • Seekers: Persistent prayer and compassion place one in the path of greater revelation; seize the gospel when God sends it. • Believers: Good works are memorial offerings that please God (Hebrews 13:16) but never replace Christ’s atonement. • Evangelists: Like Peter, expect God-fearers who need gospel clarity, not affirmation of their merit. Conclusion Acts 10:4, properly contextualized, does not overthrow the doctrine of salvation by faith alone; it showcases God’s gracious remembrance of sincere seekers and His orchestration of circumstances that lead them to the only ground of salvation—faith in the risen Christ. |
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