The Book of Acts

Cornelius Calls for Peter

Acts 10:1-8 _NLT

“In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God.”- Acts 10:1-2

            “Caesarea is in the center of the coastal Plain of Sharon in northern Palestine, on the shores of the Mediterranean, some sixty-five miles northwest of Jerusalem. It was named in honor of Augustus Caesar.” Herod the Great had set a military base (known as a “garrison”) to protect the seaport and the city, which he had elaborately built up into his provincial capital. Cornelius, a noncommissioned officer, or centurion was put in charge of a group of soldiers (anywhere from 300-600 men).

            Being a military man Cornelius was able to give and also take orders with no hesitation. Therefore, being a godly man, when an angel of the Lord came to him in a vision in the middle of the afternoon one day and called out to him, scripture tells us the centurion “stared at him in terror”. This would lead one to believe this may have been the first visit Cornelius may have had from an angelic being. The angel commissioned Cornelius to send two men to Joppa to get Peter and bring him back to Caesarea. The angel even told him where Peter could be found.

            His military training caused him not to question the angelic messenger, but rather to immediately call two of his household servants and one devout soldier, and telling them about his vision, sent them off to Joppa to fetch Peter and bring him back to Caesarea.

            The important lesson we can learn here is that if you are certain you are hearing from the Lord, do not hesitate to do that which you’ve been instructed to do. God knows what he’s doing at all times and is to be listened to and obeyed, for whatever it is would be for your ultimate good or the good of the situation you may be in. 

I’ve never been visited by and angel, but I did have a brief encounter with Jesus early on in my walk with Christ. I was in a woodsy area reading my New Testament and praising the Lord and I heard a faint rustle of leaves (it was in the fall season). I looked up and saw what appeared to be a man in the distance (perhaps 50 or so yards away). I believed it to be Jesus for he was adorned in white linen. He took several steps toward where I was sitting, extended his hand toward me and simply said, “Trust me.” That was it. He was gone, but I’ve never forgotten that event and I have never stopped trusting the Lord.

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his name & for his glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible; Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament