Who Was Cornelius the Centurion?
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When you think about significant names in the New Testament, many come to mind: Peter, Paul, John, and of course, Jesus. But scattered throughout Scripture are individuals whose importance is easy to overlook. One such man is Cornelius, the centurion. He’s mentioned by name only in Acts 10, but his story has implications that have affected church history through the ages.
Cornelius was the first Gentile convert to Christianity. Yet before he came to faith in Christ, he was a man known for his devotion, character, and obedience. His conversion opened the door for the gospel to reach every nation, breaking through the Jewish boundaries of the early church. So, who was Cornelius the Centurion and why does his life still matter to us today? Let’s see what we can learn about this Roman officer.
Cornelius the Centurion: Historical Background
Cornelius lived in Caesarea, one of the most important cities in the Roman province of Judea. Caesarea was a hub of Roman political and military power, built by Herod the Great and named in honor of Caesar Augustus. It was a bustling harbor city and a melting pot of Roman power, Greek influence, and Jewish tradition.
As a Roman centurion, he was the commander of about 100 soldiers. His role as a centurion came with great honor among the people. Because centurions maintained discipline and led from the front, the Roman military and society highly respected them. These were men of authority whose words carried significant influence.
There are two other notable mentions of centurions in the New Testament. One is in Luke 7 when a centurion came to Christ looking for him to heal his servant. The other was the centurion who, after the earthquake and the veil of the temple being torn immediately following Jesus’ death, made this declaration: “Surely this man was the Son of God” (Matt. 27:54; Mark 15:39). Some scholars have attempted to tie Cornelius the Centurion to this second centurion, but many believe these were two separate individuals.
Cornelius the Centurion’s Character
"At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly" (Acts 10:1-2).
These verses identify three distinct characteristics that marked Cornelius’ life.
1. Cornelius was a devout and God-fearing man.
It is highly unlikely that Cornelius grew up worshiping the God of Israel. As a Gentile and a Roman officer, pagan culture and worshipping Roman gods would have been prominent. Yet, even in that environment, Cornelius sought truth. The Bible calls him devout and God-fearing, meaning he respected the God of Israel and lived in a way that honored him. This gives hope to anyone living in a culture that may be anti-God. You can find the true and living God even in those dark places filled with unbelief. Because people identified Cornelius as devout and God-fearing, we know he did not hide his faith, but it was on display. In an environment where there was probably great pressure to conform to the culture of his day, Cornelius the Centurion stood strong and was known for his devotion.
2. Cornelius was a generous man.
Cornelius lived in a world built on hierarchy and privilege as a centurion. Because of his position, he earned a high salary, but Cornelius didn't hoard his wealth or exploit others; instead, his life was marked by generosity. His willingness to help those in need is another reflection of his faith in God. Given Caesarea's multicultural nature, his generosity probably encompassed all groups and nationalities. He may not have known how the early church was operating, but he was exhibiting qualities reflective of the church by using his wealth to bless others.
3. Cornelius was a praying man.
The Bible tells us that Cornelius the Centurion prayed regularly. He did not just pray when it was convenient, but prayer was part of his life. It was during this time of prayer that he had a vision from God. While praying, God instructed him to send men to Joppa to get Peter, which he did. When Peter arrived, something happened that would lead to a radical revelation and transformation in the church.
Cornelius the Centurion's Conversion
Cornelius seemed to have a heart that was tender before God. When Peter arrived, and, after gathering all his relatives and friends, Cornelius made a statement that reflected his tenderness of heart.
"So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us" (Acts 10:33).
At that moment, Peter shared the good news of Jesus Christ, and as he spoke, the Holy Spirit filled all those Gentiles, and they began speaking in tongues and praising God. This was significant in the life of the early church because until this time, the converts to Christianity were primarily Jews. The Bible says that Jewish believers who came with Peter were astonished that God gave the Holy Spirit to Gentiles. That is why it is so significant that the Gentiles had the same experience with the Holy Spirit as the Jews did. God was making an important declaration that in Christ, there would no longer be any distinction between Jews and Gentiles. After being filled with the Holy Spirit, Cornelius and his household were baptized in water, and this was an acknowledgement that these were the first recorded Gentile converts to Christianity.
Why Cornelius’ Story Is Important for Believers Today
In Genesis 12, God made a promise to Abraham that all the nations of the world would be blessed through him. That promise was fulfilled in Christ, and in Acts we see the full revelation of this promise. The conversion of Cornelius the Centurion was a turning point in church history because it was now clear that salvation was not just for the Jews but for everyone who believed.
In today's church culture, especially in America, people can easily miss an important lesson from this account in Cornelius’ life. Peter sums it up in Acts 10:34: “God does not show favoritism.” Sometimes in our American brand of Christianity we may forget that the message of the gospel is not for a select group of people, but is available for people of every tribe, nation, language, and culture. Jesus came to offer salvation to the world, not just one group of people.
This also means that Christians around the globe all stand before God on equal ground. There is not a nation on earth that has a higher claim on Christianity than any other because God’s kingdom is not based on national borders. God’s kingdom lives within the hearts of everyone who has placed their faith in Jesus for salvation. There is no one greater than the other. This means that the believer in Jesus who may be in the most remote place on earth is just as important and valued to the kingdom of God as the one whom the entire world knows.
Cornelius is a reminder that faith in Jesus is the doorway that welcomes everyone into the family of God. Even in the most godless cultures, people can call upon the Lord and find salvation. I pray the life of Cornelius the Centurion would cause us never to forget that.
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