Cornelius
Open Your Bible
Acts 10:1-48, Galatians 3:27-29
BY Rebecca Faires
What is the answer to inequality?
We clamor for solutions for true freedom, equality, individual rights, ethnic and racial tensions, and economic disparity. By themselves, our ideas and even our very best intentions are not enough. But really, we do know the ultimate answer to things like lasting change and reconciliation: the gospel of grace.
Cornelius’s life is a reminder of the great mystery of the gospel. In that day and age, there were distinct lines drawn between Jews and Gentiles, separating them by belief and ceremony, and many other practices, both cultural and religious. And so Cornelius’s story is a reminder that salvation belongs to our God, and the gospel is freely given to all who choose to receive it (Revelation 7:10; Matthew 10:8). From the beginning, the only answer to the tumult of human struggle, to the walls of social division, to the lines of entrenched hatred, is the gospel. God alone can do something new, transformative, and lasting, making “a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19). As the first Gentile to put his trust in Jesus, Cornelius was forever changed by a visit from an angel at three o’clock in the afternoon, a vision that put him on a journey that completely reframed his entire worldview.
Peter also had a vision around that same time, and the clean and unclean animals are a reminder of this truth. This was not chiefly a social realization; it was the direct act of a gracious God who, in His own time, opened the eyes of man to see exactly what Christ’s coming truly meant: that sinners of every race, clan, tongue, and nation, could be made new and holy by faith in Jesus Christ. God sent a vision to Cornelius, even as He sent the vision to Peter. However, the chief character in this story is not Cornelius, nor is it Peter—it is God Himself. In the same way, we do not receive salvation by our own actions or merit, but because of the merit and actions of Christ Himself. In each case, it is God who calls and justifies, sanctifies and glorifies. Our salvation and reconciliation to God are not of ourselves.
A remarkable scene ensues after Peter agrees to go to the house of Cornelius. We are told that Peter stands and begins to deliver the message of the gospel to the Gentiles assembled there, and “while Peter was still speaking… the Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard” (Acts 10:44), making the message very clear: the salvation of man is not of man, but wholly of God—in God’s time, in God’s way, by God’s own doing. “What God has made clean, do not call impure” (v.15).
Like Peter, we need to remember that we are all human, but that through Jesus Christ alone, we all have access to salvation (vv. 36). We can join with all the people of the world, united in our calling to be about the business of “declaring the greatness of God” to a world that desperately needs to hear it (v.46), just like you and I do.
37 thoughts on "Cornelius"
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LAURA, SARAH D & JILL K: I stand with you both in prayer for your daughter, your sister, and your son respectively. It’s heart breaking as I, too, have family members (e.g. husband, sisters, brother) who have some notion of “Christianity”, but it’s a jumble of picking and choosing of what they want to believe. Yet, as we pray together for them, I join your hearts of faith that it is God who saves, who loves the lost, and who softens hardened hearts. I pray he breaks through their blindness like he did Saul’s when he thought he was right with God! Bless each of you today.
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I’m grateful for Rebecca’s words which remind us that it is the gospel of grace which transforms racist hearts, bitter hearts, jealous hearts. It is the gospel of grace which breaks down the walls of hostility between races, genders, economic groups, etc. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Any attempt to resolve the problems of hard hearts in our day without the gospel at the center will sure to fail. But through Christ victory is sure!
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Laura, You are not alone. It’s my son on a dark path who has walked away from us and the rest of the family and the God he knew in his youth. So much wreckage in he leaves behind him. But God can turn it around for our children. He loves them perfectly. I’ll pray until I have no breath. He is able!
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How wonderful that we can pray for each other. Praying for you and your son, Jill K.
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Lord please guide me with the Holy Spirit. To know when and how to share your great news!
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Praying for your daughter Laura! I’ve been recognizing how comfortable I’ve been in my faith…That I don’t share what I deem to be the most important thing in my life…My relationship with Jesus. But God, he sure does answer prayers, because I’ve been able to have some tough and deep conversations with my sister and her husband. Yesterday we were messaging about abortion. And honestly it just breaks my heart that they claim to be some type of “Christian”, and yet they are not truly. Their words and actions speak to that. They are blinded, and I would rather them say they are all in or all out, rather than picking and choosing the parts of Jesus they like and throwing out the others they don’t like. Prayers appreciated sweet sisters, for boldness and patience for me, and that Christ would open their eyes to truly see him in all his glory and truth. <3
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The life story of Cornelius is important to me.
I am not a Jew. I am a gentile.
The message of the gospel of Jesus Christ was not for me.
I am the crusty, crustacean that Peter would have deemed unclean.
And yet, just as the veil was torn when Jesus died on Calvary to allow us access to God, I have been accepted in and made pure, by the blood of Jesus.
The gift of salvation IS for me, too.
The gift of salvation IS for you, too.
God does not show favoritism.
He understands our various accents, the languages we speak, and deems them beautiful.
He created the color of our skin from His personal paint palette.
Rich or poor is of no consequence; “material things” aren’t what is of value to Him.
We are chosen children.
We cannot earn salvation nor do we deserve it; it is a gift.
Although the cost was immense; it is offered free.
For all.
Paid for by Jesus.
We only need to accept it/Him, and come.
Yes the life story of Cornelius is important.
For once again, (as always) God is loving us, drawing us, uniting us, in His kingdom.
His children, His heirs.
Cornelius’s story matters.
Your story and mine matters, because… because, because, because…we belong to Jesus.
Oh God, use our life stories. Bring brothers and sisters of every tribe and tongue into the kingdom.
Be glorified in our lives today, each day, always.
Amen. -
YES! We are needed to hear the good news! I can’t imagine life without my JESUS!
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What a timely message for the place we find our world in today. Thank you, Rebecca, you always have the best words.
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