What can we learn from Cornelius's response to the angel in Acts 10:3? Setting the Scene Acts 10:3–4 records, “About the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who came to him and said to him, ‘Cornelius!’ Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, ‘What is it, Lord?’” Cornelius’s Reverent Fear • “Cornelius stared at him in fear”—a healthy, worshipful awe (cf. Hebrews 12:28–29). • Fear did not paralyze him; it positioned him to recognize divine authority. • Proverbs 9:10 reminds us, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” Cornelius embodies that wisdom. Open-Hearted Listening • His first words: “What is it, Lord?”—a question that shows readiness, not resistance (cf. 1 Samuel 3:10). • He assumes the heavenly message is good and necessary, reflecting a trustful heart (Psalm 25:14). • By addressing the angel as “Lord,” he shows instinctive submission to God’s messenger (Luke 1:38). Immediate Obedience • Verse 8 notes that he “called two of his servants and a devout soldier… and sent them to Joppa”. • No delay, negotiations, or excuses—just prompt action (James 1:22). • His obedience opened the door for the gospel to reach Gentiles, fulfilling Genesis 12:3. Timeless Lessons for Believers • Cultivate reverent fear—reverence sharpens spiritual perception. • Keep a listening posture—ask, “What is it, Lord?” whenever Scripture or Spirit speaks. • Act promptly—obedience today unlocks God’s plan for tomorrow (John 14:21). • Recognize that private devotion—Cornelius’s prayers and alms (Acts 10:2)—prepare us for public mission. |
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