Text: Acts 10:1-2 “Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord” (Acts 10:33).

6 Great Truths from Cornelius

Careful study of this passage yields a great deal of information about the centurion.

1. He referred to “God,” not gods.

   1. Cornelius was a monotheist.

   2. Gentiles subscribed to the notion that there were many “gods” (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:5-6). The depravity of Roman religion is vividly portrayed in the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Roman saints (cf. 21ff).

   3. Even before he heard the gospel message from Peter’s mouth, Cornelius already had turned from idols to reverence a living God (cf. Acts 14:15; 1 Thessalonians 1:9).

2. Cornelius believed that God was an observer of human activity and interested therein.

   1. He confessed: “we are all here in the sight of God.” The phrase not only suggests that Heaven was aware of this meeting, but approved of it.

   2. Jews struggled with the idea that Jehovah observes everything.

   3. Jacob fled from his home, away from Esau, came to Bethel. God renewed the promise made to Abraham.

   4. When Jacob awoke, he exclaimed, with obvious surprise: “Surely Jehovah is in this place; and I knew it not” (Genesis 28:16).

   5. Jonah tried to flee away “from the presence of Jehovah” (John 1:3).

3. He was aware that saving truth was embodied in an objective revelation which would issue from a man who had been appointed by God to instruct him.

   1. The group assembled to “hear” the things, i.e., “words,” (cf. 11:14) to be spoken by Peter.

   2. No direct operation of the Holy Spirit.

   3. This is a important truth that many today need to learn.

4. He acknowledged the sovereignty of Almighty God.

   1. There are things commanded. We must submit.

   2. There are several interesting matters here.

   3. The verb “commanded” is in the passive voice, suggesting that God is the giver of commands, and we humans are the receivers. We are not in the driver’s seat!

   4. The action has occurred already, but the results are abiding. The effect here is this: God had commanded, and his will was to remain inviolate. There would be no disputing it.

5. Cornelius recognized that he could not selectively obey the Lord.
   1. “All” was the goal. He was ready to hear “all things” the Lord had commanded.

   2. Many want a “multiple choice” salvation.

   3. Reject baptism (Mark 16:16), or be immersed if only they did not have to repent (Acts 2:38).

   4. Naaman was not terribly disturbed about dipping in a river for cleansing from his leprosy, he just faulted the Lord’s location of the ceremony (2 Kings 5:12). He needed to learn that deliberate, partial obedience is no obedience!

6. He conceded that Peter was a spokesman for deity.

   1. Peter’s words would carry as much weight as if the Lord had spoken to them personally.

   2. Some have an illusion that the “words in red,” are of greater significance than what Peter or Paul wrote.

   3. I have heard members of the church say that they disagreed with Paul on some issues.

   4. Such a reckless expression of disrespect!

   5. “He who hears you hears me; and he who rejects you rejects me; and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me” (Luke 10:16).

   6. Paul also said that the things he wrote represented the “commandment of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37).

7. BUT – He needed to hear words to be saved

   1. Acts 11:14

   2. GOOD is not enough.

   3. Close only counts in horseshoes.

   4. We must have an obedient faith.

Ideas adapted from: Six Great Truths Cornelius Can Teach Us, by Wayne Jackson