Cornelius is regarded as the first Gentile convert to Christianity recorded in the Bible. The door of the gospel and the Holy Spirit baptism was opened to the gentiles in his house. Like Cornelius did, Ruth, a Moabite, also abandoned the gods of her country to worship the God of the Jews.
The Thessalonians, according to Paul, turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God 1 Thess b. Many have substituted some idols, both graven images and modern gods like money, power, fame, pleasure, etc. Anything that comes before God in our life is an idol or a god. But God says you should not worship any other gods besides Him Ex You should worship only the true and living God. There is no other God besides Him Isa Be a true worshipper; worship God in spirit and in truth John God knows you and your greatest need more than anyone does.
The Bible says by their fruits, you shall know them Matt , People are watching you and have their opinion about who you are. Jesus asked His disciples who men said He was Matt ; Mark Beyond your status or the position you occupy, who do men say that you are? Are you using your position to bless people or to oppress them? Are you making them better or bitter? Cornelius was a man of good reputation. But God knew him more than anyone did.
It was because God knew Cornelius more than everybody that He orchestrated his salvation and that of his household. But one must be born again John People may approve of your life, but what is important is what God is saying. Beyond what human beings know about you, God has the best knowledge of you — He knows you in and out. He knows who you are and even your greatest need. Are you born again? Have you given your life to Jesus?
The concluding part of this message tells you how to be born again. God takes note of your prayers and giving. Cultivate a life of prayer, especially private prayer, and of giving. Your prayers and gifts are an offering to God.
You must pray but you must also sow seeds, bless other people financially and materially, especially the poor like Cornelius did. Prayer is not a substitute for giving, and giving is not a substitute for prayer. Acts says Cornelius gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God. Your prayer and giving are not a waste. God answers your prayer and reward your giving. Keep on looking, and you will find. God answers prayers but the answer may not come in your own time and in your own way.
God knows the deepest and greatest needs in your life. He will meet these needs. Cornelius greatest and deepest need was his salvation and salvation of his household.
Not only should you keep praying like Cornelius did, you should keep giving. Keep giving towards projects in the Kingdom of God, and keep giving to people your time, money, materials and other resources. Keep giving, especially to the poor and needy. Why must you keep giving? Because God rewards giving. He rewarded Cornelius; He will reward you. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Divine encounter is real, but you may not be able to predict when. You can pray, fast, sow seeds, and do other good works but you cannot predict the day God will encounter you, reward you and turn your life around.
The day God encountered Cornelius was just like any other day he had prayed and fasted in the past. He had no idea what was waiting for him that day. Now send some men down to Joppa to find a man named Simon Peter. He is staying with Simon, a leatherworker who lives near the shore. That was all the angel said, and disappeared. Suppose Cornelius had failed to keep his prayer appointment that day due to one reason or the other. He would have missed that divine encounter. He was burning the incense and a great crowd stood outside praying.
For God has heard your prayer, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son! That was how Zechariah got his turnaround. Eventually the wife became pregnant and gave birth to John according to the word of the angel. Sixth, the centurion conceded the authority of Peter, an apostle, as a spokesman for deity.
He suggested that he and his family were there to hear from Peter the things that God commanded his apostle to tell them. I actually have heard members of the church state that they did not agree with Paul on some issues. Such a reckless expression of disrespect! The Savior himself declared that one authorized by Him carried his authority.
It truly reveals something of the depth of his soul. Are we willing to listen as he teaches us? Jackson, Wayne. Access date: November 11, Topical Index. About Contact. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago. Moulton, James and George Milligan. Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament. Cite this article Jackson, Wayne. He would not have been circumcised.
However, it appears that he was respected by the Jews Acts , which would have been very unusual for someone who was a Roman centurion one who commanded a regiment of men. Immediately after the angel left, Cornelius sent men 6 — Acts to go get Peter Acts Peter was in Joppa, app.
The immediacy with which Cornelius does this shows his devotion to God. In the meantime, God also prepares Peter to go and meet Cornelius, showing him in a vision that He is going offer salvation to the Gentiles Acts Peter does not immediately understand this vision, but as he is pondering it, the men sent from Cornelius arrive Acts He leaves with them the next day to go to Cornelius.
After he arrives, Cornelius shares with Peter the vision he was given Acts Now, Peter appears to understand the vision that God gave to him Acts , , and he begins to share the Gospel with Cornelius and those gathered with him Acts
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