From the pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost until the time Peter made his missionary journey to the churches, the church was composed of Jewish citizens, Hellenists, Samaritans, and Judaized Gentiles. They had all believed in Christ and been baptized. Thus at that time the churches contained only Christians of Jewish origin.
God Himself, however, was opening a door for the Gentiles, through the conversion of Cornelius. This man’s union with the church was both a miracle and a stumbling block to Jewish converts, who supposed that the promise of the Holy Spirit had only been made to Jews who believed in Christ.
Luke presented the report about the conversion of the Gentile, Cornelius, in a detailed way. He wanted to make it absolutely clear that God himself, through Peter, the most forthright and outspoken of the apostles, had appointed godly and devout Gentiles to be chosen for everlasting life. It was not that Peter had sought after or desired this way for himself. Christ Himself had interfered in the course of his life, just as He had interfered in Stephen and Saul’s lives. This encounter marks a decisive intersection in preaching the gospel to the world.
When an angel appeared to a believer in the New Testament, it meant that God was beginning to carry out a plan that surpassed all understanding. In order that the faith of the righteous should not be shaken, the Lord sent His angel. Through man´s five senses he was able to recognize that God was now carrying out a unique miracle, and that He was opening a new way into His kingdom. The faith of Cornelius has essential meaning and significance for all peoples. Had it not been for the baptism of this Gentile idolater, the gospel would not have come to us. It would have remained confined to the Jews.
Cornelius was an officer in the Roman army who commanded a hundred men at Caesarea, the Roman center situated on the Mediterranean Sea coast, south of Mount Carmel. This officer was impressed with the Jewish religion: the belief in one God, the Ten Commandments, an order of godliness that was completely foreign to the social life of the Roman Empire, with all its lusts, ease of life, fear, and superficiality.
Cornelius turned with his whole heart to God. He arranged his life in accordance with his embracement of the principles he believed in. His godliness was not just mental belief or sensitive enthusiasm. He submitted all his thoughts, words, and deeds to the spirit of his faith. He did not love money, but lived sacrificially. He did not, as a great officer in the occupying forces, oppress poor people, but personally helped needy individuals. He prayed frequently, and kept his heart open at all times to what God might say to him.
The good spirit of such a man could not remain hidden for long. It manifested itself, flowing from his house to his friends and soldiers. They were all moved by his meek, praying spirit, making them all the more open to receive from the Spirit of God. The true believer is not an isolationist, but has a warmth and love that melts mountains of snow in the hearts of others. His supplications for relatives and friends cause them to pray to God. The great and holy God told the Roman Centurion that each one of his prayers had been answered. Every one of his good deeds had been seen by God. Today, too, the Most High does not forget your works. He waits to hear the voice of your heart and see the donations of your hands, as fruits of your faith. You are not justified by your prayers and fasting, but by the love of God. Your obedience is your thanksgiving for this great love.
The angel told Cornelius to send men to Joppa, directing him to the house of Simon, a tanner, where a man named Peter was staying. The officer knew that each command of God required immediate obedience and execution. He obeyed God’s command without long contemplation or apprehension about the angel. He was not afraid of such miraculous encounters, for the love of God had touched his heart. He believed in and trusted in the Lord whom he daily prayed to. He knew for certain that God was not directing him to send for a spy or a dangerous man. No, he was calling on a servant and an apostle of God.