What happened to Cornelius has HUGE implications for you and me! Why do you say that Mark? Up to this time the converts to Christianity were mainly Jewish. Around chapter 6 of Acts we see this begin to change...this is incredible news for you and me. I don't know about you, but to my knowledge I do not have any Jewish blood flowing through my veins. If the gospel does not go to the Gentiles I spend eternity in hell! In tomorrows reading in Acts we see the Jewish believers in Jerusalem upset with Peter, saying to him, "You visited with uncircumcised men and at with them!" Acts 11:2 After Peter explains to them the events that led to his meeting God's Word tells us that they became silent. As you read 11:18 you can hear the shock and surprise in the knowledge that God is going to save "even the Gentiles!"
Acts 11:18 When they heard this they became silent. Then they glorified God, saying, “So God has granted repentance resulting in life to even the Gentiles!”
Remember In Acts 6:7 a large number of priests became obedient to the faith, and in chapter 8, the treasurer of a distant nation, cabinet member to a queen, trusted Christ. In chapter 9 we witness God choosing a persecuting rabbi and transforming him into the apostle to the Gentiles. Here in Acts 10 Luke introduces us to a military leader, an officer who had worked his way up through the ranks to the status of centurion.
What do we know about Cornelius? Acts 10:2 tells us that "He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the ⌊Jewish⌋ people and always prayed to God. Cornelius was devoted to God, he had a proper reverence, fear and respect of God from the knowledge that he did have of God. Also, he was a generous man and he prayed all the time.
What was Cornelius doing when God sent a messenger to him? In Acts 10:30 Cornelius explaining to Peter why he sent for him tells him that he was praying when God's messenger appeared to him. It is worth pointing out that several times through out God's Word that it is during prayer times that God sends messengers, gives new direction...in short God speaks during our prayer times. Take a look at the following passages...Luke 3:21–22; 6:12–16; 9:18–22, 28–31; 22:39–46; Acts 1:14; 13:1–3.
It is important to notice that this was Cornelius practice...he had been praying in this manner for some time. God did not show up in the first few minutes of his prayer life. In the same way we must press in, we must be persistent and pursue HIM, go hard after HIM. God's Word is clear in Hebrews 11:6 we learn that "without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
My prayer is that at my funeral those that survive me will be able to say about me that "he was a devout man and feared God."
If we have a constant diet of God's precious and delicious Word and much time in prayer, much time in intimate conversations and sweet fellowship with the God of the universe, our creator, sustainer, maker...pursuing HIM, we will walk, live, breathe and delight in the Joy of the Lord. We will experience much sweet fellowship with our Savior, our King and Master...the lover of our souls.
To God be the glory...great things HE has done!
love,
m