The Book Of Acts: Discipleship In Action Pt. 43 God Spoke to a Roman Centurion!
In our last lesson we took time to look at God's promises to call Israel back to Himself and His promises to use Israel as a beacon of gospel light into the world.
We also read about Jesus' compassion for Gentiles even as He sent His disciples to preach the gospel to the house of Israel only.
Then, we ended by looking at the significance of Peter receiving the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
We took time to gain this context for Acts 10, which most would agree is Peter's first use of the keys.
A certain centurion comes into view.
Acts 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
Luke alerts us that an important change is about to take place by using the words "a certain man." As we study the Bible we discover how God uses simple phrases or words like these, to highlight something that we need to understand.
Peter was still in Joppa which was a notable fishing community. Caesarea was about 63 miles away from Joppa.
The "certain man" is named "Cornelius" and he was a centurion leading six hundred soldiers known as the Italian band or cohort.
Cornelius was a "God fearer"
Acts 10:2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
What do we know about the "certain man" named Cornelius? He was a "devout" man. The word "devout" means having reverence for God, maintaining a solemn attention when reading scripture, spending time in prayer or engaging in worship.
Cornelius was a man who "feared" God which is similar to the word "devout." It means to revere and venerate God by obeying His word and seeking to honor Him in all things.
He feared God along with all those within his home. This means that Cornelius was probably a Jewish proselyte who was not circumcised. He believed in God and learned to obey the moral law of God.
Cornelius demonstrated mercy and pity for the poor and needy people. He did this by making monetary donations or giving them food, clothing and other items they needed.
He was a man of prayer, but he did not pray to any pagan gods or idols like most Romans did. He prayed to the God of heaven. He prayed constantly.
God sent an angel to Cornelius
Acts 10:3-6 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4) And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5) And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6) He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
God intervened in Cornelius' life. About three in the afternoon, Cornelius saw a vision where one of God's angels came to him and called him by name. Does God care about each person?
Yes, He does because He wants all people to come to repentant faith. He knew the name of this Roman centurion and He was going to bring the gospel to him.
He knows each one of us by name and He wants to bring all unsaved people to Himself. I am greatly encouraged by the persistent love of God for mankind!
No doubt, Cornelius was greatly impacted by this vision and his attention focused upon the heavenly messenger from God. He was also afraid that this was saying something for a battle tested Roman centurion who never backed down from an enemy.
He asked the angel "What is it, Lord?" with a child like reverence and humility. The angel said that the prayers and good works of Cornelius came up as a memorial to God.
God took note of this "certain man" and the obedience he had toward God, based upon his limited understanding of God.
God noticed Cornelius seeking to live by His moral law and praying to Him. He noticed that Cornelius was persistent in prayer and his genuine compassion for less fortunate people around him.
The word "memorial" means a memorial by which the memory of any person or thing is preserved. The Greek word is found in the word "mnemonic" which is using patterns of letters or words to remember something.
The idea is that Cornelius demonstrated a pattern of prayer, a pattern of compassion, a pattern of obedience and God took note of it.
The angel instructed Cornelius to send for Peter and he would be told what he must do.
Cornelius' obedience to God continues
Acts 10:7-8 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; 8) And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
As soon as this angel departed, Cornelius summoned two of his trusted servants who were also devout soldiers. They were like administrative assistants who did the bidding of Cornelius.
Cornelius informed his two servants and sent them straightway to Joppa to find Peter.
Thoughts to Ponder...
God showed us the importance of living a consistent life of faith. We want our own pattern of life to reflect obedience to God and persistence in prayer.
Why would we want to do this? Because there was something about the Jewish people in Caesarea that caught the attention of Cornelius. He knew that they worshiped a God who was real and he sensed the emptiness and impotence of paganism.
We too, can have an impact for Christ by choosing to honor God with our thoughts, words and deeds.
Second, God took note of this particular Roman centurion. He saw his pattern of obedience, prayer and worship of Him. Jesus came as the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world, and the Father wanted to bring salvation to Cornelius.
This reminds us that we should never give up praying for people, witnessing for the Lord and living for His glory. God does not give up and He will use us to reach others is we seek His help.
I pray that the Spirit of God will help us be like Cornelius, ready to obey God's instruction. I pray that we will all seek God as seriously and earnestly as Cornelius did.
May we determine to live for God's glory.
Bob
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