Topical Encyclopedia Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Regiment, is a significant figure in the New Testament as the first recorded Gentile convert to Christianity. His account is primarily found in Acts 10 and 11, where his conversion marks a pivotal moment in the early Church, demonstrating the inclusivity of the Gospel message.Background and Character: Cornelius resided in Caesarea, a prominent city in the Roman province of Judea. As a centurion, he was a man of authority, commanding approximately one hundred soldiers. Despite his Roman background, Cornelius is described as "a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people and prayed to God continually" (Acts 10:2). This description highlights his piety and reverence for the God of Israel, aligning him with the "God-fearers," Gentiles who respected Jewish beliefs and practices without fully converting to Judaism. Divine Vision and Peter's Visit: Cornelius's conversion begins with a divine encounter. Around the ninth hour of the day, he receives a vision of an angel of God, who instructs him to send for Simon Peter, who is staying in Joppa (Acts 10:3-5). Obedient to the heavenly message, Cornelius dispatches two of his servants and a devout soldier to bring Peter to Caesarea. Simultaneously, Peter experiences a vision while praying on a rooftop in Joppa. In this vision, a sheet descends from heaven containing various animals, and a voice instructs him to "kill and eat" (Acts 10:13). Peter, adhering to Jewish dietary laws, initially resists, but the voice insists, "What God has cleansed, you must not call common" (Acts 10:15). This vision occurs three times, preparing Peter for the arrival of Cornelius's messengers and the broader acceptance of Gentiles into the faith. The Meeting and the Holy Spirit: Upon Peter's arrival in Caesarea, Cornelius gathers his relatives and close friends, eager to hear the message Peter brings. Peter acknowledges the divine orchestration of their meeting, stating, "God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean" (Acts 10:28). He then shares the Gospel, proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord of all, His death, and His resurrection. As Peter speaks, the Holy Spirit descends upon all who hear the message, and the Gentiles begin speaking in tongues and praising God (Acts 10:44-46). This outpouring of the Spirit astonishes the Jewish believers accompanying Peter, confirming that God's gift of salvation extends beyond the Jewish people. Baptism and Acceptance: Recognizing the work of the Holy Spirit, Peter declares, "Can anyone withhold the water to baptize these people? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have!" (Acts 10:47). Cornelius and his household are then baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, marking their full inclusion into the Christian community. Significance in Early Christianity: Cornelius's conversion is a watershed moment in the early Church, symbolizing the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles. It underscores the universality of the Gospel and the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed (Genesis 22:18). The account of Cornelius is revisited in Acts 11, where Peter defends his actions to the Jerusalem church, affirming that "God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life" (Acts 11:18). Cornelius's account serves as a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel and the inclusive nature of God's kingdom, inviting all who fear Him and work righteousness to partake in the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. Nave's Topical Index Acts 10:1There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, Nave's Topical Index Library The Foundation of the Church among the Heathen The First Book of Our Answer to the Treatise of Celsus... 'God is no Respecter of Persons' His Great Controversy Jew and Gentile Sacred Places. A Seeker for Truth The Conservative Reaction, and the Liberal victory -- The Holy Catholic Church. Luther's Catechisms. AD 1529. Resources What is the insider movement? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened on Paul's second missionary journey? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about eating food/meat that has been sacrificed to idols? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Converts: At Pentecost, About Three-Thousand People Converts: Jews and Greeks at Antioch Converts: The Mariners With Jonah Converts: The Thief on the Cross Converts: Zealous: Nebuchadnezzar Converts: Zealous: The Blind Men Converts: Zealous: The Deaf Man Converts: Zealous: The Man Possessed by Demons Converts: Zealous: The Woman of Samaria Related Terms |
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