Cornelius
A Roman soldier who prayed, and opened the door for the gospel to go to every nation.
New Testament · 1st century · Acts · Also known as Cornelius the centurion
About Cornelius
Cornelius was a centurion in Caesarea, "a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway." An angel told him, "Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God," and to send for Simon Peter. Meanwhile Peter saw a vision teaching him not to call anything God had cleansed unclean. When Peter came, Cornelius had gathered his relatives and friends. As Peter preached, "the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word," and they were baptised: the first Gentile household welcomed into the church.
A centurion commanded around a hundred Roman soldiers. Cornelius was a Gentile who worshipped Israel’s God without becoming a Jew. Jewish custom kept Jews from entering Gentile homes, which is why Peter’s visit, and his vision, mattered so much.
The story
Thy prayers are come up
At about the ninth hour, Cornelius saw an angel: "Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter."
Acts 10:1-8
I myself also am a man
When Peter arrived, "Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man." Cornelius said, "Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God."
Acts 10:24-33
No respecter of persons
Peter began, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." While he was still speaking, "the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word," and they were baptised.
Acts 10:34-48
Key moments
- Devout and generous: Prayed to God always. (Acts 10:2)
- Visited by an angel: "A memorial before God." (Acts 10:4)
- Sends for Peter: To Joppa. (Acts 10:5)
- The Spirit falls: On all who heard. (Acts 10:44)
- Baptised with his household: The first Gentiles. (Acts 10:48)
Questions about Cornelius
In meetBible these answers are given in Cornelius’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
Why does your story matter so much?
Until then the believers were Jews, and some Samaritans. I was a Gentile and a Roman soldier. God prepared Peter with a vision, and Peter said, "God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean." When the Holy Spirit fell on us, the believers who came with Peter "were astonished… because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost." It showed the good news was for every nation.
Weren’t you already a good man?
Acts describes me as "a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms… and prayed to God alway," and God honoured my prayers. Yet the angel still sent me to Peter, who would tell me "words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved." My devotion was real, and it led me to hear about Jesus.
Why did you bow down to Peter?
When Peter came in, I "fell down at his feet, and worshipped him." He lifted me up: "Stand up; I myself also am a man." Acts doesn’t explain my reason, perhaps honour for the man an angel had told me to send for. Peter made sure worship went to God alone.
Connected people
Read it yourself
Start with Acts 10.