Cornelius Gets a New Captain (Acts 10)

This sermon was preached on 3/6/2012

As we have observed repeatedly throughout our studies in the Book of Acts, the emphasis of Luke is on what Jesus was doing from heaven as he ruled there on behalf of his church on earth. So whenever we come to a new section, we should ask ourselves, ‘What did Jesus do in that incident?’ We can even ask, ‘Why did he do that activity?’ The main player in the drama involving Cornelius is not Cornelius, nor is it Peter. Instead it is Jesus and he is doing at least two things in this incident. One is that he finds a seeking sinner called Cornelius and the other is that he opens up his church to the Gentiles. We will consider the first activity today and we will look at the second activity when we return to the chapter in a few weeks’ time.

Cornelius, the seeking sinner

Cornelius was a Gentile soldier from Italy who had discovered that his original way of life was not very satisfying. He had had a good military career, having attained the rank of centurion. He was probably married. At some stage in his life he had decided to become a godfearer, that is a Gentile who liked the Jewish way of life and was prepared to adopt certain of its practices, without becoming a fully-fledged proselyte. Nevertheless he realised that the Jews worshipped the true God and that realisation affected his whole life. Luke mentions that Cornelius’ family was affected, Cornelius’ wallet was affected (he gave alms), and Cornelius’ tongue was affected (he now prayed). So clearly, Cornelius was a religious man, but he was aware that there was something more.

The question that arises, of course, is, ‘Was Cornelius a regenerated man?’ After all, it is possible for an individual to do what Cornelius was doing, but to focus only on the externals. Cornelius, in contrast, had his heart focussed on serving God. I would say that he was already regenerate because he was living a spiritual life of which God approved. Having accepted the Old Testament he would have been looking forward to the promised Messiah by faith, which is proof of regeneration. At that moment he was not yet aware that the Messiah had come in the person of Jesus. Shortly Jesus was going to let him know. So Cornelius was a religious man who was not satisfied and he was a regenerate man who was not aware of what Jesus had done.

The next question is, how did Cornelius come to be in this state? If we had asked him before he met Peter, Cornelius would have listed a whole lot of incidents that caused him to make certain choices and that string of choices led him to where he now was. If we asked Cornelius after he had met Peter, the centurion would have replied that Jesus had been working secretly in his life. And that is the answer to the question how he became a seeking sinner.

As we think of Cornelius’ experience, we can see how it applies to two types of people who may be here. The first type is the person who has a real sense of dissatisfaction with what the world has to offer. Such have discovered that the world is merely a set of broken cisterns that cannot hold any water, that its pleasures which promise much eventually disappoint. If that describes you, then Peter will shortly have something to say to you.

The other type of person is the individual who does not realise that he has undergone a dramatic spiritual change. All he knows is that he is living a new kind of life, that something has happened within him that he cannot explain. What has happened is that he has been given a new heart that loves the things of God and wants to walk in his ways. What that person needs is understanding or even assurance that he has undergone a divine work within his heart. Peter will say something to such as well.

Of course, Cornelius also speaks to a third kind of person. This third kind of person is the individual who has neither of the two aspects just described. There are those here who have not yet realised the emptiness of the world, and who show by their lifestyle that they have no interest in the things of God. Peter has something to say to them as well.

Jesus, the seeking Saviour

So how does Jesus continue his secret approach to Cornelius? First, he tells the Roman centurion to do something, which is to send to Joppa for Peter. Jesus passes on this command in supernatural manner by speaking to Cornelius through an angel. Can we think of any reasons why Jesus did it this way? I would say that he was creating humility and hope within Cornelius. Humility is seen in the way that Cornelius, who usually gave the orders, now received an order. Yet the command that he received was full of hope because the angel assured him that something would happen.

Is that not often the way that Jesus works, whatever our spiritual state? We may be dissatisfied with the world or looking for assurance or disinterested in the Christian faith. Totally different situations, but those in each one need to see whether or not they will bow to Jesus. He speaks to us supernaturally through his Word and speaks about humility and hope. This is often the key for future progress as we can see from the response of the rich young ruler who came to Jesus. He was unwilling to humble himself and acknowledge that Jesus was Lord, despite giving the impression that he did. Even on that occasion, the Saviour had encouraged the ruler by saying that if he did obey he would have treasure in heaven. But without humility the hope is not grasped.

Thankfully Cornelius obeyed what he was told to do and was then waiting for the next stage in his spiritual journey. Meanwhile Peter was getting prepared by Jesus to meet with Cornelius, and this preparation was fourfold. First, we saw in a previous study that Peter had taken some steps in the direction of not imposing the separation of Jew and Gentile that was stipulated in the ceremonial law when he went to live with a tanner. Second, now Jesus gave him a very specific vision, which Peter realised came from Jesus (the apostle addresses God by a title that usually belonged to Jesus). Peter also would have been impressed by the fact that the vision was repeated three times – on a previous occasion he had been told three times to feed Christ’s sheep. Third, Jesus arranged a coincidence in providence in that Cornelius’ representatives arrived at that exact moment, which tells us that Jesus in heaven is master of all the moments of history. Fourth, the Holy Spirit told Peter to go with the men.

Jesus seeks sinners through a man who makes careful assessment about the situation. Peter was not put off because Cornelius made an uninformed mistake when he bowed down to the apostle. Nor was he put off when he found himself in front of a strange crowd composed of Gentiles. Both these situations would have had an adverse effect on Peter previously. But since Jesus had been working on him, he was no longer disturbed by such responses and situations. I don’t Jesus will search for sinners through a person who is easily put off.

After Cornelius confirmed what had taken place when the angel visited him, Peter is used by Jesus for finding a seeking a sinner. How does Jesus do it? First, Peter encourages Cornelius by acknowledging that God accepts everyone who fears him no matter their racial or cultural origins. Verse 35, which says that ‘God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him,’ has been misinterpreted to mean that God accepts devout pagans. Instead it means that God now has a universal people, that in every country there will be those who will believe the gospel and become part of his church. Jesus seeks for Cornelius through a man who has learned that Cornelius, despite his racial and cultural background, is welcome to join the family of God.

Second, Peter speaks about Jesus. In verses 36-43, he surveys the work of Christ from his baptism by John. There are many things that can be said about Peter’s approach, but here are a few of them. Notice that he begins with what his listeners already knew (v. 37). How did Peter know that they knew these details? I can only assume that he asked the representatives that Cornelius sent to Joppa. He had made good use of the journey and discovered how much they knew and then connected his sermon to that knowledge. The fact that they knew some spiritual truth was evidence that Jesus was working in their hearts.

Peter then summarises the public ministry of Jesus that lasted until his death. He explains his particular calling as an apostle which was to bear witness to all that Jesus said and did and also to explain the significance and meaning of things that had happened to Jesus, both before and after his resurrection. All of the apostles were to preach about Christ, and that is a very important lesson. I have heard sermons in which Jesus was hardly mentioned. But Peter’s sermon is all about Jesus, which is what one would expect when Jesus is seeking for one of his people. So what does Peter say about Jesus?

Jesus was a preacher with a message of peace (v. 36). In other words, Jesus was the reconciler between God and man. His kingdom would be composed of those who were at peace with God. How did Jesus become this? First, he is the Messiah who was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power in order to overcome the powers of darkness, which overpowering was revealed in his acts of compassion and deliverance that he performed while enjoying the presence of God throughout it all (vv. 37-38). This would be encouraging to Cornelius because he was a sinner needing divine compassion and deliverance.

Second, Jesus died a death that Cornelius, with his knowledge of the Old Testament, would have realised was a death of a person who was cursed by God (v. 39). Crucifixion was cruel, but in Jesus’ case he was also treated as an outcast from heaven by the God with whom he had enjoyed communion. No doubt Peter expanded on this aspect and told Cornelius that Jesus had taken the place of sinners when he suffered divine judgement on the cross.

Third, Peter informed Cornelius and the other listeners that Jesus had been raised from the dead by God the Father. The one who had brought Jesus to the dust of death at Calvary raised him from the dead three days later. Peter’s point is that the one who treated Jesus as a curse now treated him as a conqueror. His resurrection is evidence that his act of atonement for the sins of others was accepted, and we can imagine Cornelius’ sense of wonder as he listened to Peter’s preaching.

Fourth, Peter reminded Cornelius that Jesus had chosen witnesses to testify to his life, death and resurrection. They were not merely to recite historical details. In addition, they had to stress two possible consequences for everyone (vv. 42-43). One is that the risen Jesus will yet be the Judge of all people and the other is that the risen Jesus can forgive sinners. Jesus has ambassadors with a crucial message – condemnation by Jesus or forgiveness through Jesus. Imagine Cornelius as he listened to what Jesus had done (life, death and resurrection), would yet do (judge), and could do for him right away (forgive). The point of forgiveness is very important because it takes place when a sinner is found by the seeking Saviour.

Peter’s twofold emphasis on the importance of each person and the details of Christ’s work are suitable for the three kinds of possible hearers that we thought about earlier. These two features are suitable for religious people seeking life, regenerated people seeking information and assurance, and for all others, whoever they are. To each group, Peter would say that they should remember that judgement is coming, and yet to each person he could give the assurance of complete forgiveness from God once they trusted in Jesus.

Seeking Saviour and seeking sinner meet (vv. 44-48)

What happens and what should happen when they meet? The first detail to note is that Jesus gives the Holy Spirit as a gift to Cornelius and his family and friends (v. 44). Luke uses a wonderful word to describe the arrival of the Spirit – he fell on them. ‘Fell’ usually indicates some weight to whatever landed on a person. We would not normally say that a feather fell on us. What is the significance of receiving the Spirit? One answer is purity. Through the work of Jesus from heaven, Cornelius had become a pure man, set apart to God by the indwelling Holy Spirit. A second answer is prosperity because the Spirit is the key that Jesus uses to open up to us the spiritual treasures of the kingdom of God. A third answer is power over spiritual enemies because, after all, the Holy Spirit is divine. So Cornelius the sinful centurion discovered that he was purified, Cornelius the Roman citizen with many privileges discovered that he had become a far wealthier man because he had access now to heavenly riches, and Cornelius the faithful soldier of the Empire discovered a new kind of power far more effective that the powers of earth. That is what the seeking Saviour gives to the sinner he has found.

But what does the seeking sinner give to Jesus?  The answer to this question is twofold praise. We don’t know what language they spoke in, but we do know what they were doing – they were extolling God. Their praise was strong and clear. What else would we expect from those who now realised that Jesus had given them salvation and the Spirit? Along with praise, the seeking sinners (Cornelius and family and friends) gave Jesus a public declaration that they belonged to him. This they did when they were baptised and identified themselves with God’s kingdom. So they gave to Jesus the praise of their lips and a public statement that they belonged to him.

What effect did Cornelius the seeking sinner have on the Christians? To begin with there was amazement as they saw what God was doing before their eyes in the hearts of Cornelius and company. This was a great day for the kingdom of God when Gentiles came in to the church of Christ. So there is no wonder that they were amazed. The amazement was followed by amity because they wanted to be together. And out of this flowed an appetite to know more about Jesus from Peter, so he stayed there for several days. The seeking sinner was satisfied.