Let The Bible Speak



The Conversion of Cornelius

When a Gentile woman from Canaan asked Jesus to intervene with her daughter who was demon-possessed in Matthew 15:24-28, Jesus responded, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." When she further pleaded, He responded, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." Because of her great faith, Jesus eventually relented and healed her daughter. This, though, was a rare exception to Jesus’ laser focus on reaching the Jews. We see this further in the sending out of the Twelve on the Limited Commission in Matthew 10:5-6, “These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: ‘Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’”   

Many Jews believed on Jesus, but He upset the religious hierarchy who rightly perceived that His mission would involve seismic changes to Judaism. The Jewish leadership challenged Jesus’ authority and sought to undermine His work. They tried to humiliate Jesus with questions designed to stump Him. When they realized they could not thwart Jesus’ work peacefully, they set about to kill him. 

On the heels of Judas’ betrayal, an illegal and prejudiced tribunal found Jesus guilty of blasphemy. Next, the Jews intimidated Pilate into complying with their demands to crucify Jesus. Meanwhile, Jesus was laying a sufficient foundation for His Kingdom – a Kingdom that would rock the world. Shortly before His ascension into heaven, Jesus articulated the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-16: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…" and "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved...” Both passages suggested the eventual broadening of the borders of the kingdom from “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” to “all nations,” “all the world,” and “every creature.” The Conversion of Cornelius highlights this expansion and answers critical questions regarding the nature and scope of Holy Spirit baptism. First, we have a song...     

On the day of Pentecost, three thousand Jews responded to the preaching of the gospel. Peter told his audience in Acts 2:38-39, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to ALL WHO ARE AFAR OFF, as many as the Lord our God will call." When the Holy Spirit through Peter says that the “promise is...to all who are afar off,” this should have alerted the apostles, if no others, that salvation would be extended to the Gentile nations. Of course, the prophets had indicated a future day when the chosen people would include Gentiles. Isaiah 11:10, “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him…” Isaiah 42:1, 6, “He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles…I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles.” Amos 9:12 “And all the Gentiles who are called by My name…” Micah 5:8 “And the remnant of Jacob Shall be among the Gentiles, In the midst of many peoples.” Malachi 1:11 “My name shall be great among the Gentiles…” 

 

The plan for the expansion of the Kingdom to include the Gentile world eluded the people of God for about eight years after the establishment of the church. This brings us to the conversion of Cornelius in Acts 10 when God’s intention to bring Gentile believers into the fold is revealed.    We read in Acts 10:1-2, “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.”   

Cornelius served as a centurion within the Roman army comprising a regiment of about six hundred men. The centurion led a group of a hundred soldiers and was similar to a captain in the United States military. The Scriptures provide other details about this man that we would not expect of one holding this position in a pagan nation’s military. Cornelius was religious, but not pagan. He feared the true God he had learned about from the Jews. We know he had not fully converted to Judaism because we later learn that he had not been circumcised. He demonstrated considerable conviction in his devotion to God through regular prayer, generous giving and by leading family and friends to join him in serving God. No wonder that God chose this noble gentleman to be the first Gentile given the opportunity to become a disciple of Christ. He had a special faith and character.     

We read in Acts 10:3-4, “About the ninth hour of the day (3 p.m.) he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, ‘Cornelius!’ And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, ‘What is it, lord?’ So he said to him, ‘Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.’”    Note that neither seeing a vision nor hearing from an angel saved Cornelius; it doesn’t work that way now, and, in fact, we see it didn’t even work that way in the age of the apostles. 

Notice also that Cornelius, a courageous, unintimidated man, did not consider the angel cute or cuddly like so many portray angels today; the angel struck fear into this military leader. This reminds me of Isaiah’s response to the seraphim appearing in Isaiah 6:5: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips..."   

When Cornelius saw the angel, he said, “lord,” a word that means “sir.” The angel told him that his prayers and generosity had been specially noted by God. God’s response to Cornelius’ prayer demands our attention. How does God hearing Cornelius’ prayer square with the fact that Cornelius is still a sinner and Biblical teaching that God does not hear the prayer of sinners in Scriptures like Isaiah 59:1-2, “Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.” We find this important biblical principle reiterated by different inspired writers. We read in 1 Peter 3:12, “For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil." Again in Proverbs 15:29, we find, “The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.” The Holy Spirit suggests the same truth in 1 John 3:22, “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” If you want God to hear your prayers you had better first respond to His requests!   

Do you have friends or family who only come around when they want something? I think we all know folks like that. These Scriptures teach that God does not respond to this type of allegiance. God says, in effect, “If you don’t listen to me, don’t be expecting me to listen to you!”   

Cornelius would not be considered a blatantly rebellious individual, but rather a sinner who desired to please God. Notice also that Cornelius never prayed for salvation, per se, and the Bible certainly does not teach that God saved him when he prayed. Rather, the Bible says that his prayers and alms "have come up for a memorial before God.” Sadly, today in most religious circles, preachers, pastors, and parishioners would conclude that God had saved Cornelius at this point. Why? Many stress faith only. Others substitute the man-made doctrine of the “sinner’s prayer” for the biblical teaching of baptism in the plan of salvation. Notice, however, that this passage provides no refuge for such an alternative. We see nothing at all in the text about salvation or the forgiveness of sins at this point as Cornelius travels down the path towards conversion.   

When I read the story of Cornelius, I’m reminded that Jesus said in Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Is there any better illustration of this teaching than with this Roman centurion?” When Cornelius prayed, God recognized his sincere seeking for salvation. If you truly seek the truth, be assured that you will be given the opportunity to find it!

Acts 10:5-6, “Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do."    Life has been thrilling for Peter in the ancient seaport of Joppa where Jonah had once boarded a ship for Tarshish to flee from the presence of the Lord. The previous chapter ends with Peter raising Dorcas from the dead at Joppa. As a result, we find in Acts 9:42-43, “And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.” So Peter had been staying for some time at Simon the tanner’s house. 

Much more significantly, the angel tells Cornelius that Peter “will tell you what you MUST do.” Can overemphasize this detail? I don’t think so! Cornelius seeks salvation but the angel does not save him NOR does he tell Cornelius that his faith has saved him, but rather directs him to Peter who will tell him what he MUST DO. 

Acts 10:7-8, “And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.” This story involves more than Cornelius. He had a team of people who were on the same page; he was the leader of a group of conscientious Gentile God-fearers.   

Meanwhile, the Lord had to prepare Peter for this major evangelistic transition with a bizarre demonstration. Acts 10:9-14, “The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But Peter said, ‘Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.’"   

When you talk about Jewish convictions, few were more intense than the resolve to honor the dietary restrictions of the Mosaic Law. In this vision, the Lord’s instructions confronted Peter directly with this deeply-held belief. The same image was presented three times for emphasis. Acts 10:15-16, “And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common.” … And the object was taken up into heaven again.” Imagine how conflicted and confused Peter must have been. He must have wondered, “What’s going on? What’s this all about?”  

The mystery begins to be unveiled, though, in verses 17-20, “Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate. And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there. While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.’" Empowered by the weight of the vision, the Holy Spirit commanded Peter to accompany the men waiting downstairs.   

 

Verses 21-22, “Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, ‘Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?’ 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.’" We have another significant detail here; this Roman soldier had a “good reputation” among the Jews. And, notice that despite the fact that an angel and the Holy Spirit had been involved, salvation for Cornelius, his household and his associates required “hearing words” from Peter.   

Verse 23 reads, “Then he invited them in and lodged them.” These Jews, Simon the tanner and Simon Peter, invited these Gentiles to stay in the same house. This was an extraordinary development and highly unusual Jewish behavior.  Verse 23 continues, “On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.” It was critical that Peter have Jewish believers witness the upcoming events to corroborate his story. We learn in Acts 11:12 that six Jews came along with him.   

Verse 24, “And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.” Cornelius was counting on the Lord delivering big news and he wanted to share it. Despite Cornelius’ significant leadership role in the Roman army, look at the humility he displays when he meets this Jewish commoner in verse 25: “As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, ‘Stand up; I myself am also a man.’" Even though Cornelius intended only great respect, Peter flatly refused to have any man bow before him. If only ALL religious leaders demonstrated this same spirit.   

Now Peter explains to the “many” how awkward and unusual this situation was in verses 27-28, “And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. Then he said to them, ‘You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.’” 

The one area where Jewish sentiments were more intense than dietary restrictions was their relationship with Gentiles. F. F. Bruce says in his commentary that the phrase “one of another nation” referred to an “uncircumcised Philistine.” The Jews viewed everyone else as beneath them as racially inferior. The Lord prepares Peter to see that this position is no longer tenable for the child of God.   

Verse 29, “Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?" Cornelius recounts his experience with the angel in verses 30-32 and then adds in verse 33, “So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God." If God was going to save Cornelius directly with the angel or the Holy Spirit, Cornelius would not have needed this meeting with Peter. But, once again, we see the emphasis on Cornelius and his company “hearing” from Peter “the things commanded by God.” Cornelius was primed to HEAR Peter tell him what to do to be saved.   

Now watch this! Verses 34-35, “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” The idea that God is impartial and no longer viewed one nation or race above another was jolting news to Peter. Jesus, as Paul puts it in Ephesians 2:14, had “broken down the middle wall of separation.” Jews and Gentiles alike would now have full access to God through Jesus Christ; without Jesus, neither would have access. The standard has been clarified, “in EVERY nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”

We must “accept Jesus,” for sure, but this Scripture and the importance of being “accepted BY God - BY Jesus” needs to get more airtime. The two keys are “fearing God and working righteousness.” We’ll pick up with the most crucial part of the story next week. Stay with us after our song for a final word and how you can get a copy of this message….   

We are glad you joined us this morning and hope you will EVERY Lord’s Day. Of course, the program cannot substitute for assembling with the saints; God would frown on that. Some are physically unable to attend church, but if you ARE physically able please consider the words of the Spirit in Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” So, we hope you will watch the program every Lord’s Day and then join us for worship at one of the congregations listed shortly. Call or write for a free transcript, CD, or DVD copy of 1215 “The Conversion of Cornelius.” You may also request The Truth Frees six lesson Bible study by mail. We close with the words the apostle Paul issued in Romans 16:16, “the churches of Christ salute you.” Until next week, goodbye and may God bless you! 

Are you searching for the truth of God's word and have a sincere desire to learn about the Bible? Do you want to know what the Bible says about salvation and about Christ and His church? If you are looking for Bible Founded discussion on these topics and many others, then please accept this invitation to explore "Let the Bible Speak" and then contact us for additional studies.

We are members of the church of Christ as found in the New Testament. We are not members of a denomination or earthly religious organization. We are a brotherhood of believers, joined by a common bond, Jesus Christ. We try to live and worship following the patterns found in the New Testament.

(For manuscripts of other sermons visit: )

COPYRIGHT © Let The Bible Speak. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

IMPORTANT COPYRIGHT NOTICE:

Express permission is granted to distribute any video, audio, or transcript of any broadcast message as long as the material is: unedited and attribution is given to Let The Bible Speak; a hyperlink to is included for electronic distribution; a text reference is included to for printed distribution; and the original author receives attribution. An irrevocable, world-wide, royalty free license for distribution is granted as long as such distribution has the intent of: supporting the truth as presented; giving glory and honor to God; and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download