When God Reaches Hearts: The Conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48)
Introduction:
The conversion of Cornelius, a Gentile centurion, as recorded in Acts 10, is a watershed moment in the early church. It shattered the barriers between Jew and Gentile, revealing the universality of God's saving grace. Today, we will walk through this pivotal narrative, exploring the divine orchestration and the profound lessons it holds for us.
I. Cornelius: A God-Fearing Man (Acts 10:1-2)
A. A Man of Influence and Integrity:
• Cornelius was a centurion, a Roman military officer, commanding a cohort of hundreds of men.
• He was described as "devout," sincere in his pursuit of God.
• He was generous, giving alms to the needy.
• He was just and honorable, with a good reputation among the Jewish people.
• Despite his power and authority, Cornelius had the same spiritual need as any other person.
B. A Seeker of God:
• Even though Cornelius was seeking God, he still needed to receive the message of salvation.
• We learn that good works, and a seeking heart, are not enough to save a person.
II. Divine Intervention and Guidance (Acts 10:3-8)
A. Answered Prayers (Acts 10:4):
• An angel appeared to Cornelius, assuring him that his prayers and alms had been heard by God.
• This teaches us that God sees and responds to sincere seeking.
B. Instruction to Seek Peter (Acts 10:5-6):
• The angel instructed Cornelius to send for Peter, who would tell him what he needed to do.
• God directed Cornelius to receive further instruction for his salvation.
C. Obedient Response (Acts 10:7-8):
• Cornelius immediately sent three men to Joppa to find Peter.
• Cornelius was obedient to the instructions of God.
III. God's Impartiality (Acts 10:9-23, 28)
A. Peter's Vision (Acts 10:9-16):
• God prepared Peter for the encounter with Cornelius through a vision of unclean animals.
• The vision challenged Peter's preconceived notions about Jewish purity laws.
B. God's Revelation (Acts 10:28):
• "And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company with, or to come unto, any stranger: but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean."
• God revealed to Peter that He is no respecter of persons, and salvation is for all.
IV. Peter's Encounter with Cornelius (Acts 10:24-33)
A. Cornelius's Welcoming Reception (Acts 10:24-27):
• Cornelius gathered his family and friends, eagerly awaiting Peter's arrival.
• He attempted to worship Peter, but Peter corrected him, emphasizing that he was also a man.
B. Peter's Explanation (Acts 10:28-29):
• Peter explained that God had shown him that he should not consider any person unclean.
C. Cornelius's Testimony (Acts 10:30-33):
• Cornelius recounted his vision and his readiness to hear God's message from Peter.
V. The Gospel Proclaimed (Acts 10:34-43)
A. Peter's Preaching (Acts 10:39):
• Peter preached the gospel, testifying to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
• Preaching the gospel is essential for conversion.
B. Faith in Christ's Name (Acts 10:43):
• Peter declared that through Jesus' name, everyone who believes receives forgiveness of sins.
• Faith in Christ brings forgiveness of sins.
VI. The Holy Spirit's Confirmation (Acts 10:44-48)
A. The Outpouring of the Spirit (Acts 10:44):
• While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word.
• This miraculous event confirmed the acceptance of the Gentiles into the church.
B. Baptism and Fellowship (Acts 10:48):
• Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
• This marked the beginning of Gentile inclusion in the Christian community.
- Preaching on The Conversion of 3,000 (Acts 2)
- Preaching on Letter to the Church in Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11
- Preaching on Righteous Judgment vs Unrighteous Judgment John 7:24
Conclusion:
The conversion of Cornelius is a powerful reminder that God's grace extends to all who seek Him. It teaches us:
• God sees and hears the sincere prayers of those who seek Him.
• God directs people to the message of salvation.
• God is impartial, offering salvation to all nations.
• The gospel must be preached for conversion to occur.
• Faith in Jesus Christ brings forgiveness of sins.
• The Holy Spirit confirms the conversion of those who believe.
Let us embrace this truth, sharing the gospel with all people, knowing that God's heart reaches out to every soul. Amen.
