Morning Message: Cornelius the Centurion

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "Cornelius the Centurion"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

The end of Chapter 9, last week, seemed rather anti-climactic, but it sets the stage for what happens this week in Chapter 10. Today, we are introduced to a Roman Centurion by the name of Cornelius. He follows the Jewish scriptures, he is generous, and being a Centurion, is respected because of his position in the Roman Army. One hundred men serve under him, and take orders from him. And he is “of a good report” among the Jews.

He gives alms, he prays, and God recognizes his devotion, and memorializes this Soldier of Rome in this book, giving him a commission to go find Simon Peter. Peter’s reputation as a healer spread up and down Israel’s Coastal “Plain of Sharon” along the Mediterranean coast, because of the healing of Æneas, and the resurrection of Dorcas (Tabitha) in Chapter 9. The Cities of Joppa and Lydda, where the healings took place, were less than 15 miles apart. The healings were noteworthy and well known along the coast.

We may think that the Lord does not use an occupying Army in Israel to perform His will, but apparently, He does! Cornelius was to go to Joppa, to find Simon Peter, and just as Cornelius has a vision from the Lord concerning Peter, Peter has a vision from the Lord about three men who are looking for him. And Peter, being a Jew, would have had misgivings about spending time with anyone who was not a Jew, according to Jewish Law, and tradition.

Hence, Peter’s vision of the sheet with many foods upon it. While the Law required separation, the Lord calls His Provisions holy, not common or unclean. This is a turning point for Peter as he understands that introducing Jesus to the Jews is for the Gentiles too, for there is no salvation available to anyone except through Jesus the Christ.

“Jesus saith unto (Thomas), ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto to the Father, but by me.’” - John 14:6

“…feed My lambs.” “…feed My sheep.” “…feed My sheep.” - John 21:15-17

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Acts 10:1-33 - "Cornelius the Centurion"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

Hidden prejudices exist in all of us. Because of our fallen nature, our tendency is to think of ourselves as somehow above others, better than others. We look at the cultural differences, outward appearances, opposing ideologies and religions, and we judge accordingly. While we justify ourselves, we condemn others. Yet don't we need to look at others as individual human beings on equal par with us, all sinners who need God's grace and gift of salvation?

In order to be effective witnesses for Christ's kingdom, those hidden prejudices must be broken down.

To understand the context of this week's lesson, we have to understand the landscape, and the obstacles; the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the command to share it with the world. We have Roman occupation in the land of Israel, Cornelius a Roman Centurion, and Peter the apostle and we have God who orchestrates events to bring them together.

Peter was staying at Joppa on the Mediterranean coast. It was the city where the prophet Jonah had fled to board a ship to Tarshish. You remember the story. Jonah was trying to run away from God, and from His command to go and preach repentance to the wicked city of Ninevah, the capital city of Israel’s arch-enemy, Assyria. The Assyrian Empire was notorious for extreme military violence, documented by carving graphic atrocities—such as mass impalements, flaying enemies alive, and stacking severed heads—directly onto palace walls. For centuries, Assyria terrorized the Middle East. In 722 BC, Assyrian forces conquered the northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria) and violently deported its population. Yet we know that Jonah eventually obeyed God, and to his surprise, the city repented though it wasn't long lasting.

So while Peter is at Joppa, God was preparing his heart to minister to his coming Gentile visitors. God gave Peter a vision of an assortment of animals, both clean and unclean (Acts 10:11–12). Peter heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat” (verse 13). Peter resisted this command, having never eaten non-kosher food before (verse 14), but the voice replied, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean” (verse 15). This vision was repeated three times, and then Peter heard the Spirit saying that three men were looking for him and that he should go with them without hesitation (verses 19–20).

About 30 miles north of Joppa and some 65 miles northwest of Jerusalem, was the Roman provincial capital, Caesarea, where the governor lived. Under his authority were some 3,000 troops, including the Italian cohort. Serving with this unit was Cornelius, a centurion who commanded 100 soldiers. The Jews despised the Roman occupation of Israel; they hoped that Messiah would come and deliver them from the Roman oppression.

And so, the stage is set: you have a Gentile Roman soldier, representing the despised occupation of Israel, residing in the main city of the Roman occupation. Thirty miles south you have a Jewish apostle, temporarily residing at the spot where Jonah had taken off in disobedience to his commission to preach to Israel’s enemy. And behind the scenes, God is orchestrating the events to bring these two men together in a way that shocked both of them by breaking down the wall of prejudice between them. God promised Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3, that He would make him into a great nation, bless him, make his name great, and use him to bless all families and nations on earth. The result of the story is that today you and I who are Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the church with the Jews, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel (Ephesians 3:6).

Jesus is the Messiah that the Jews had been anticipating for centuries (see Luke 2:25; 3:15). As such, He was born into a Jewish family and was reared according to Jewish law in a Jewish town (see Luke 2:27; Galatians 4:4). Jesus selected Jewish disciples, spoke in Jewish synagogues and the Jewish temple, and traveled mostly in Jewish areas. His mission, in fulfillment of the Jewish prophets, was to the Jewish people. However, none of this means that Jesus’ ministry was limited exclusively to the Jews.

Jesus paid the price for all sin, making salvation available to the whole world (1 John 2:2). Jesus Christ is God Himself (John 1:1). Jesus died on the cross as the payment for all our sins, and He rose from death in resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Jesus said He was the Good Shepherd, and He predicted that His flock would be greatly expanded: “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:16).

It took a while for the early church to recognize that salvation was available to the Gentiles. The Jewish Christians who fled the persecution in Jerusalem went into the Gentile regions of Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, but they were “spreading the word only among Jews” (Acts 11:19). Peter was hesitant to bring the gospel to a Gentile household, but God made it plain that Cornelius was also one of the elect (Acts 10).

“Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too” (Romans 3:29). Jesus was the Jewish Messiah, but He had come to offer salvation to everybody. The Messiah was to be a “light for the Gentiles” (Isaiah 42:6). So, call on Jesus, because “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21).

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Caesarea (10:1) - Caesarea has already been mentioned twice in Acts. It was first noted when Philip is said to have preached in cities until he came to Caesarea (8:40). It was also mentioned in verse 9:30 where it noted that the brethren brought Saul down to Caesarea and sent him off to Troas. Caesarea, often called Caesarea Maritima to differentiate it from Caesarea Philippi, was an important port city in the first century AD and the site of numerous events in the book of Acts. Caesarea Maritima is located about 30 miles north of modern Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean coast. In ancient times, it boasted one of the world’s largest artificial harbors and was a center of Roman governance in the region. In the New Testament, it is mentioned only in the book of Acts.

Cornelius (10:1) - Cornelius in the Bible was a centurion, a commander in the Italian Regiment of the Roman military. He lived in Caesarea. His story in Acts 10 is important because it was in Cornelius’s household that God publicly opened the doors of the church to the Gentile world. The apostle Peter was present to see it happen, just as he had been a witness to the opening of the doors to the Samaritans (Acts 8) and the Jews (Acts 2). Despite being a Roman, Cornelius was a worshiper of God, a Jewish proselyte known and respected by the Jewish community (Acts 10:22). Cornelius was a devout man who regularly prayed and gave to charity (verse 2).

A Centurion (10:1) - One of sixty officers in a Roman legion, each of who commanded 100 men. This is defined by the word “centurion.” In Greek, it is hekatontarchés, coming from hekaton, one hundred, and archó, to rule. Hence, he rules over a hundred. Of this ruling position, Luke says it was “of what was called the Italian Regiment.

Italian Band (Cohort/Regiment) (10:1) - He is an Italian soldier in a unit that is part of a greater unit forming the tenth part of a legion. The word translated as regiment was used in the gospels in regard to those stationed in Jerusalem at the time Jesus was crucified (see Matthew 27:27). Noting him as being of the Italian Regiment is probably expressly stated to identify the entire regiment as being from Italy and not hired or conscripted natives from other areas. This regiment may have been designated to provide protection for the Roman proconsul who ruled in the area. A standard Roman cohort consisted of roughly 600 soldiers

A Devout Man (10:2) - The Greek simply reads, “devout.” It is a new word to Scripture, eusebés. It signifies pious, God-fearing, devout, etc. The word carries a different sense than that used in Acts 2:5 and 8:2, eulabés. That word denotes someone who properly takes hold of what is known, such as the law of Moses. This word in verse 10:2 is more like someone who properly esteems or reverences. Cornelius may not have known the true God, but he knew He was there, and he reverenced Him as such. Thus, he was pious. That alone sets him off as an exceptional person considering his profession.

Feared God (10:2) - Luke continues to describe him. As he does, and unlike the NKJV rendering, he will use present participles to do so. He says, “and one who feared God.” Rather, “and fearing God.” A technical term used by Jews to refer to Gentiles who had abandoned their pagan religion in favor of worshiping Jehovah God. Such a person, while following the ethics of the OT, had not become a full proselyte to Judaism through circumcision.

Vision (10:3) - The word translated as vision is horama. It was used once by Matthew after the transfiguration. All eleven other uses are found in Acts. It is something that is gazed at, and it is normally supernatural in nature. Cornelius is not asleep, but rather it is as if he is looking through a portal into another dimension. In his vision, he saw “an angel of God coming in.” Cornelius was praying and then there was someone there.

About the Ninth Hour (10:3) - This would be at 3 pm. It is the time of Israel’s evening sacrifice, and it is the hour that Christ died on the cross

Angel (10:3) - As for the word aggelos, or angel, it means a messenger. It can refer to a supernatural being or a human. It is someone sent carrying a message. In this case, he is being sent from God. With that, the verse finishes with, “and saying to him, ‘Cornelius!’” The sense is that Cornelius was in prayer and may have had his eyes closed or was mentally fixated on his prayer. Suddenly, and without any motion, someone came in and has spoken his name. This is what sets up the reaction coming in the next verse.

Looked . . .  Afraid (10:4) - The word translated as “observed,” atenizó, is one that indicates being completely fixed in staring at something. It is giving full attention to what is seen. One can see hints of the word “attention” in it. Cornelius was praying and, all of a sudden, this messenger was there. This caught his full attention and brought him to a state of terror. Cornelius understands this a divine messenger, “What is it, lord?” This seems to be the case because of the terror just noted.

Memorial (10:4) - The messenger speaking to Cornelius tells him the reason for his coming to him.  Cornelius's heart felt prayers, devotion, and goodness have ascended and were like a fragrant offering.  These things are specifically noted "for a memorial."  God heard him, and received these offerings.   The word mnémosunon, or “memorial,” is a remembrance. The word signifies a reminder. It is something that is worthy of remembering such as in Matthew 26:13 and Mark 14:9. This is not salvation, but this demonstrates that his heart was set in the right direction. 

Send Men to Joppa . . . for . . . Peter (10:5) - This time, instead of a believing Jew receiving instructions to go to an unbelieving Jew to have his eyes opened, it is a Gentile being told to send men to a believing Jew so that the sender may have his heart rightly turned to God.  In considering the story of Cornelius in the Bible, it is important to note that being religious is not enough to save a person. Cornelius was as devout as they come, and he worshiped the one true God. Yet he still needed to hear the gospel and respond to it positively. That’s why God sent Peter, so that Cornelius could hear of the death and resurrection of Christ, which Peter clearly preached later in the chapter (Acts 10:39–40, 43). It was only after Cornelius and his household received the message about Jesus that they received the Holy Spirit and were born again. The story of Cornelius not only shows the necessity of the gospel but it indicates that God will move heaven and earth to bring the gospel to those who are ready to receive it.

Devout Soldier (10:7) - This was a respectful, reverent soldier that was assigned under Cornelius who was obviously highly trusted and who would understand the weight of the matter that would be taking place as it unfolded.

Housetop to Pray . . . Sixth Hour (10:9) - All kinds of worship occurred on the flat roofs of Jewish homes. (2 Kings 23:12; Jeremiah 19:13; 32:29).  Housetops were used for “getting closer to God,” just as the people would go to the high places for worship throughout all of the Old Testament. The idea is that of being elevated and in the open so that God could supposedly be more accessible. The sixth hour is 12:00 PM (Noon).

Trance (10:10) - It is not the same word, translated as “vision,” that described what happened to Cornelius in verse 10:3. This word, ekstasis, was seen in Acts 3:10 when describing the amazement of the people when the crippled beggar had been healed. It signifies a displacement of the mind. Thus, it is bewilderment or ecstasy. Peter has entered into a different and bewildered state. It is in this state that he will start to understand particular points of theology that he never had considered before.

He Saw Heaven Opened . . . Vessel Descending (10:11) - Peter beholds heaven opening.  It is right there before him as he looks. While beholding this marvelous scene, it next says, "and a vessel."
This thing, described here as an object, takes hold of his vision. The word simply means a vessel by which something is contained. In this case, the object is “like a great sheet.” The word is othoné, and it is found only here, and in verse 11:5 where Peter explains to others what he saw. It is fine linen, and thus it refers to a sheet or a sail. It is a piece of linen, obviously square (as will be seen), and extremely large. The description of it being a sail would then fit more readily with the typology of what will later be described for other reasons as well.
Of this great object like a sail, it next says it was “knit at the four corners.” The word translated as “corners” means “beginnings.” It is the very extremity of the sail, and this is what would naturally be done to a sail. The billowing square sail of a ship is what catches the wind and impels it forward as it is bound by its corners. The verse finishes with the words, “descending to him ... and let down to the earth.”
The number four in Scripture is defined by Bullinger as the number of creation. It is the world number and especially the city number. This object bound at the four corners descended down to the earth. As such, it would indicate the four corners of the earth noted elsewhere in Scripture, such as in Isaiah 11:12. It is a way of describing the totality of a location, such as a city or a country, or even the earth itself. As this has descended from heaven, its origin is in heaven. Due to its great size and the fact that it has four corners, and that it has descended to the earth, it is emblematic of the entire earth. These things can be deduced even before the next verses are given.
Though getting a bit ahead of the narrative, what is being seen is a picture of the cleansing of the Gentiles through Christ’s work. The sail is the means by which the message goes forth, signifying movement on the seas, even to the furthest parts of the world. The sail being made of linen provides its own picture of purity. All that are noted upon it are cleansed by the blood of Christ, apart from deeds of the law, and are deemed as acceptable to God because of Him. The sail having four corners signifies that the gospel will go forth to every part of the earth, the four corners representing the entire earth. And the animals, regardless of the kind, are included in the scope of the transmission of the gospels.

All Manner of Four-Footed Animals (10:12) - Israel was set apart under the law and was permitted to eat only certain foods derived from a select list of animals. Gentiles have no restrictions on them concerning dietary laws. This goes all the way back to Genesis 9. Both clean and unclean animals. To keep the Israelites separate from their idolatrous neighbors, God set specific dietary restrictions regarding the consumption of such animals (cf. Leviticus 11:25)

Kill and Eat (10:13) - With the coming of the New Covenant and the calling of the church, God ended the dietary restrictions (cf. Mark 7:19).

Common or Unclean (10:14) - Un holy or defiled. The law was introduced as a tool for Israel, and Israel alone, to conduct its affairs. The Gentiles were never placed under that law, and no dietary restrictions, apart from drinking blood (Genesis 9:4), were placed upon the people of the world. With the law fulfilled by Christ, it was set aside. The Gentiles who ate unclean animals are no longer considered unclean. This will be made explicit in the coming verses.

God Has Cleansed (10:15) - More than just abolishing the Old Testament dietary restrictions, God made unity possible in the church of both Jews, symbolized by the clean animals, and Gentiles, symbolized by the unclean animals, through the comprehensive sacrificial death of Christ. The descending of this object from heaven to the earth was to signify to Peter that a mystery was being revealed. That mystery is then explained by Paul in Ephesians 3:1-7.

Doubted in Himself (10:17) - Meaning he was totally perplexed as to what the vision had meant. As he is working it out in his mind, the answer to his state of confusion was literally, just about to knock on the door.

Arise . . . Go With Them (10:20) - The time of pondering has come to an end, and the Holy Spirit instructs him to go with these Gentiles. He doesn't have to worry about intermingling with Gentiles, God has sent them.

Warned From God by an Holy Angel (10:22) - As for Cornelius’ instruction, it was “by a holy angel.” It is the same word used in verses 10:3 and 10:7 when describing this messenger from God, but the men have affixed the word “holy” to the description. Though not included in the narrative, this would have been from the lips of Cornelius, acknowledging that the messenger was holy. This would be in accord with the description of verse 10:3 which acknowledged it was “an angel of God.” Next, continuing their words to Peter, they say it was this angel from God who was sent “to summon you to his house.” This may have seemed unusual, suspicious, out of place, or whatever else to Peter. For all he might have known, it could be a setup to have him arrested for evangelizing. As such, the voice from heaven during his vision had said, “Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them” (Acts 10:20). The way, with all of its possible contingencies, had been paved so that Peter would be fully aware that this was a divinely appointed meeting and that he should not hesitate to respond favorably to their request. With that understood, the verse ends with, “and to hear words from you.”

Called (Invited) them in (10:23) - While normally, self-respecting Jews did not invite any Gentiles into their home, especially soldiers of the hated Roman army, Peter welcomed them into the house without question and entertained them. Despite being Gentiles, they were treated well and with proper respect. From there, it says, “On the next day Peter went away with them.”

Certain Brethren (10:23) - Further explained by Peter in Acts 11:12, there were six Jewish believers, identified as "those of the circumcision" in verse 45, that traveled together to the house of Cornelius.

Waited for them (10:24) - It was obvious that he was on pins and needles as he waited. One can see him sitting in a chair in his house, getting up, walking back and forth, sitting back down, fidgeting his feet, and getting up to walk back and forth again. Whatever plans may have existed before the vision, they would have been put on hold so that he would be at home when Peter arrived.

Fell Down (10:25) - Using HELPS Word Studies as a guide to define the various ideas it conveys, it is from prós, “towards,” and kyneo, “to kiss.” It thus signifies to kiss the ground when prostrating before a superior; to worship, ready to fall down/prostrate oneself; to adore on one's knees; to “do obeisance.” The word suggests the willingness to make all necessary physical gestures of obeisance. Cornelius has been told that Peter will tell him what he must do, meaning that he has the answer to man’s problem. Possibly assuming that he has been sent by God, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. This is speculation, but it is well-grounded in the action he has taken. Although it is true Peter has been sent by God, meaning first by Jesus who is God as an apostle, and then by the Spirit who has directed him through the trance on the rooftop, he is neither the Messiah nor is he worthy of worship.

I Myself Am Also a Man (10:26) - Only the triune God deserves worship. Peter makes clear that isn't him.

Unlawful (10:28) - Peter followed the Jewish standards and traditions his whole life. His comments reveal his acceptance of a new standard in which Jews no longer were to consider Gentiles profane.