1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.

3 About the ninth hour of the day[a] he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”

7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. 

Acts 10:1-8 (ESV) 中文

Peter’s ministry

Peter has been ministering outside Jerusalem. He’s healed Aeneas, a man cripled for 8 years. Word spread quickly to a neighboring town, Joppa, whose disciples sent for him to revive the life of a blessed widow, Dorcas. Due to that miracle, many came to believe. Then living with an religiously “unclean” man, Simon the tanner, prepared him for his next mission.

Cornelius – Centurion of Caesarea

The next mission revolves around a Roman soldier, Cornelius, a leader of about 800 men. Similar to Dorcas in the previous passage, Cornelius loved the Lord and served Him diligently – giving from his heart to those in need. He lived in Caesarea (named after Caeser, title for ruler of the Roman Empire), which was about 61Km from Joppa, a solid day’s walk non-stop.

This is not a low position in the Roman military.  How could he manage to follow the Lord when the national religion was to worship the Emperor? Moreover he even led his whole household to do the same.

Cornelius’ call

Do you find it encouraging that God knew personally of the offerings and prayers of Cornelius? And in addition, He replied to them – even directly via the angel. On top of that, even though Cornelius is a gentile, not a Jew. And as a “tough” soldier, even he was fearful of the angel. The angel charges him to fetch Peter from Joppa. Immediately he determines the angel is from God and obeys by sending two servants and his “trusted soldier” likely also a believer. 

RЯeflection

• Does God know our service to Him? Does He hear our prayers and honor them? You bet He does! Of course, our service and prayers need to be directed to and for Him and His glory. 
• Do we live our life in such a way that it influences others to follow the Lord?