The conversion of Cornelius
The conversion of Cornelius in Acts 10 provides every serious student of the Word with further insight into the way that God works in people’s lives to bring them to Himself—both by preparing their hearts to receive the gospel and also by preparing the hearts of His people to share it. It is a magnificent example of how the Lord brings these two works together, and how He conveys and confirms the gospel message.
Acts 10 is a pivotal chapter in the unfolding drama of the early church. First, it represents the fulfillment of the Lord’s words to Peter when He stated in Matthew 16 that to him would be given the “keys of the kingdom heaven.” This statement did not refer to some mysterious power or ritual but rather to the simple fact that, through his witness, Peter would be the first to open the door of faith to both Jew and Gentile. This occurred with Israel at Pentecost in Acts 2 and with the Gentiles here in Acts 10.
Further, this chapter demonstrates the power and extent of the gospel. Cornelius’ conversion was the last in a series of three prominent conversions extending back to Acts 8. Each conversion represents salvation through three different means to three different people groups originating from the sons of Noah. The first was an Ethiopian eunuch who came from the line of Ham. He came to the Lord through personal means, the result of the faithful witness of Philip the evangelist. The second was Saul of Tarsus, who came from the line of Shem and who came to the Lord through providential means, being struck down on the road to Damascus, apart from human instrumentality. The third was Cornelius, a Gentile from the line of Japheth. He came to know the Saviour through Peter’s preaching of the Word. Taken together, they remind us that the gospel is for all people, and we have been commissioned to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all nations through a variety of means. But what makes this passage extremely practical is the insight it gives into how God works through His Spirit in the preparation and proclamation of the good news of Christ.
How God prepares the heart of the sinner (vv. 1-8)
A centurion of great authority, Cornelius enjoyed a good reputation with the Jewish nation (v.22), quite an anomaly considering he worked for the much-despised Roman army. Eight noble qualities characterized this man (vv.2, 22), who is described as a devout person who feared God, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. From all appearances, it might seem he was a believer, having repudiated the false gods of his nation. But according to Acts 11:14, he must “hear the words by which he and his household will be saved.” In other words, as good and moral as he was, Cornelius still needed to be saved—a good point to keep in mind when witnessing to “nice” people: they need the Lord Jesus too, and, because they do, God works in their lives even before their salvation. With Cornelius, this work came through an angel who instructed him to send for Peter who was in Joppa.
How God prepares the heart of His servant (vv. 9-16)
But while God was working in the life of Cornelius, He was also working in the heart of His servant. While praying at noon in the house of Simon the tanner, Peter saw a vision of a great white sheet coming down from heaven filled with both clean and unclean animals (vv.10-11). A voice came out of heaven instructing Peter to kill and eat. Despite Peter’s vehement objections, the voice repeated the instruction two times before the sheet was taken back into heaven.
What a disturbing picture it must have been to Peter whose personal convictions were being challenged by the Lord. God was breaking down Peter’s prejudices in order to prepare him to take the gospel beyond his own people. Perhaps He began that process with Peter’s visit to the house of Simon the tanner, a person who worked with the skins of dead animals, totally abhorrent to any God-fearing Jew. Now He was further preparing Peter with a vision that was equally challenging. The Lord was setting the stage for the events that would soon take place, helping Peter understand that He was bringing together both Jew and Gentile into one new entity, the church, made up of every type of sinner whom God would cleanse through the blood of Christ. Those sinners ranged from the “domesticated” animals and highflying birds of the air, right down to the wild beasts and “creeping things” that our world is filled with today. We may also need to change our attitude toward those outside our comfort zone. The Lord used this vision to realign his servant’s thinking and prepare him for his divinely-appointed encounter with Cornelius.
How God brings the two together (vv. 17-33)
While Peter wondered what this vision meant, the servants sent by Cornelius arrived at the door. Had they arrived earlier, Peter would not have been prepared. Had they arrived later, the impact of the vision might have waned. God’s timing is always perfect! In response, Peter left the next day for Caesarea. What a sight it must have been as Jews and Gentiles traveled together in harmony, another precursor of things to come. How unlike Jonah who, centuries before, left the same place—Joppa— and fled from the presence of the Lord, unwilling to bring God’s message to a despised nation. But such is the work of grace in the life of a believer when the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts (Rom. 5:5).
Arriving at Caesarea, the apostle found many gathered together awaiting his much-anticipated visit. It was evidence of the extent of Cornelius’ popularity among his family and friends, and it is a reminder of the vast spiritual potential that awaits every witnessing opportunity. Declaring that they were present “to hear all things that are commanded thee by God” (v.33), their hearts were fertile ground for the gospel seed.
How God conveys the message (vv. 34-43)
Opening his mouth, Peter began to preach the Word to his attentive audience. The components of his message included the attributes of God (vv.34-35), the moral character of Christ (vv.35-38), His crucifixion (v.39), His bodily resurrection, (vv.40-41), the Great Commission (v.42), and an offer of salvation to whosoever believes (v.43). His preaching was personal, powerful, and to the point. This is the type of preaching that yields results. As stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Cor. 4:1), we are not to tamper with the Master’s goods, but faithfully dispense what we have been entrusted with, like cold water to a thirsty soul (Prov. 25:25).
How God confirms the message (vv. 44-48)
God confirmed the reception of the gospel message in a number of ways. While Peter was still preaching, the Holy Spirit fell upon those who heard the Word (v.44) without the need for “arm-twisting” or long, drawnout emotional appeals. They magnified God with their speech (v.46), were immediately baptized, and enjoyed Peter’s fellowship, requesting him to stay a few more days (v.48). It was proof positive of the reception of the salvation of those who heard and received His Word.
The conversion of Cornelius speaks to believers today in many ways. It tells us that God is preparing people privately to hear the gospel message, that there are many God-fearing people who are without Christ, and that while God is working in the lives of the unsaved, He may be at work in our lives as well, breaking down our prejudices so that we go will into all the world with the good news of salvation.
Centuries before, King Solomon floated large cedars down from Lebanon to begin the work of building his glorious temple in Jerusalem, a work that included the city of Joppa (2 Chron. 2:16). Now God was building a new temple, the Church, a habitation of God in the Spirit (Eph. 2:22) made up of Jew and Gentile, a work that also included the city of Joppa. Peter was one of those whom the Lord had promised, “I will make you fishers of men” (Mt. 4:19). With the conversion of Cornelius, Peter caught a very big “fish” that did not get away! And so will we, if we let God have His way with us.