Conversion of an officer
By Timothy Glover
A centurion, an officer over 100 men in the Roman army, named Cornelius was a just man, a giver of alms, a man of prayer, and one that feared God (Acts 10:2-4). This officer was such a good man that even the Jews spoke well of him. This was unusual since he worked for the Roman government. Besides this, Jews had little regards for Gentiles, despite their station in life. Yet, as Peter later recites the events as we have them recorded in Acts 10, he told his Jewish brethren that Cornelius was told by an angel to send for Peter “who shall tell you words, whereby you and all your house shall be saved” (Acts 11:4). This statement is puzzling as we would conclude from the description of his character that he was already saved. It is quite common today to think that a good man is a saved man, a Christian. However, this study shows that Cornelius was not saved. He had to hear “words” spoken by Peter in order to be saved. The purpose of the angel, as we already learned in the Ethiopian’s conversion (Acts 8), was to bring the lost and the preacher together.
While Cornelius’ messengers were coming to see Peter, he was also directed to go with them. He had been on the roof praying when he fell into a trance and saw a vessel as a sheet dropped from heaven on which were all kinds of animals. When he was directed to kill and eat, he refused because he had never eaten anything common or unclean. The Jews were forbidden to eat certain “unclean animals” (Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14:3-20). Peter failed to understand that the distinction between clean and unclean was voided. While he was wondering about its meaning, Cornelius’ men arrived, asking for him. Peter was told to go with them to meet Cornelius.
When they left the next morning, Peter brought with him some relatives and friends. Once he had entered Cornelius’ house, he commented that he had come because God had shown him that he should not call any man common or unclean. It was common knowledge that a Jew was not to keep company with a Gentile. Peter asked Cornelius why he had sent for him. Cornelius related his experience and concluded, “Now therefore, we are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” With such an attitude, we are not surprised that the results of that day were good.
Peter began by saying explaining that God is no respecter of persons. The barriers that had existed between Jews as God’s people and Gentiles who were not no longer existed. Having said this, he proceeded to preach Jesus to them. His emphasis was that Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead. He establishes the proof for the resurrection on the witnesses who were with him after Jesus’ death. He offers remission of sins to believers and commands them to be baptized (verses 42-43, 48).
The Holy Ghost was poured out on the Gentiles and it amazed the Jewish audience who had accompanied Peter. The Spirit’s presence was interpreted by Peter as giving confidence to the right of the Gentiles to be baptized (47-48). The difference in Peter’s message here and the one in chapter 2:38 is the interruption of the outpouring of the Spirit. Since no one could forbid the Gentiles, he then continues to give the same conclusion he had given in Acts 2:38. To the Gentiles then he turns and commands to be baptized.
Remember that Cornelius had sent for Peter to hear words so that he and his house could be saved (Acts 11:14). Peter does not tell them to receive the Spirit nor does he tell them to pray for his coming. His “words” do not mention the Spirit except after the Spirit’s arrival and then, only to give evidence of heaven’s sanction. What words did Cornelius need to hear that was required of him? He was told to believe in Christ and be baptized. Having heard the words, believing its message and being baptized, Cornelius was saved (Acts 11:14).
In Acts 11:15, we read, “As I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.” Acts 10 and Acts 2 are the only times we read of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. That it was not given to save people is clear from our study. When Peter rehearses to the Jerusalem brethren of the happenings in Cornelius’ house, he tells them that it was not he who had called the Gentiles to salvation. The Spirit was an “evident token” of God’s willingness to accept all nations. Jews were present to see the outpouring of the Spirit and were amazed. They could testify to the accuracy of Peter’s report. Acts 11:18 shows that the Jews accepted Peter’s report and glorified God that the Gentiles also are given salvation.
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