Topical Bible: Humility: Cornelius

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Cornelius, a centurion in the Roman army, is a prominent figure in the New Testament, particularly in the Book of Acts. His account is a profound example of humility and openness to God's will, illustrating the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles in the early Christian church.

Background and Character

Cornelius is introduced in Acts 10 as a centurion of the Italian Regiment stationed in Caesarea. Despite his Roman military position, Cornelius is described as "a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people and prayed to God always" (Acts 10:2). His devotion to God and his charitable acts demonstrate a humility that transcends his cultural and religious background. Cornelius is a "God-fearer," a term used for Gentiles who worshiped the God of Israel but had not fully converted to Judaism.

Divine Encounter and Obedience

Cornelius's humility is further exemplified in his response to a divine vision. An angel of God appears to him, saying, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God" (Acts 10:4). The angel instructs him to send for Simon Peter, who is staying in Joppa. Cornelius's immediate obedience to the angel's command reflects his reverence and submission to God's direction, despite the potential risks and uncertainties involved in reaching out to a Jewish leader.

Interaction with Peter

When Peter arrives, Cornelius demonstrates humility by falling at Peter's feet in reverence. However, Peter lifts him up, saying, "Stand up, I myself am also a man" (Acts 10:26). This interaction highlights Cornelius's respect for God's messengers and his willingness to learn from them, while also underscoring the equality of all believers before God.

Peter, acknowledging the divine orchestration of their meeting, shares the gospel with Cornelius and his household. Cornelius's openness to Peter's message and his readiness to receive the Holy Spirit signify a heart prepared by humility to accept God's truth. As Peter preaches, "the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the message" (Acts 10:44), leading to the baptism of Cornelius and his household.

Significance in the Early Church

Cornelius's conversion is a pivotal moment in the early church, marking the first recorded instance of a Gentile household receiving the Holy Spirit and being baptized. This event signifies the breaking down of the wall between Jews and Gentiles, as Peter declares, "Truly I understand that God does not show favoritism, but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right" (Acts 10:34-35).

Cornelius's humility and faithfulness serve as a model for believers, illustrating the importance of a heart open to God's leading and the willingness to transcend cultural and religious barriers for the sake of the gospel. His account is a testament to the transformative power of humility in the life of a believer and the broader mission of the church.

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Acts 10:33
Immediately therefore I sent to you; and you have well done that you are come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded you of God.
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Library

That the Ruler Should Be, through Humility, a Companion of Good ...
... swollen with pride, when in the height of power: for his humility he was ... who had
received from God the principality of Holy Church, from Cornelius, acting well ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter vi that the ruler.htm

Epistle Li. To Antonianus About Cornelius and Novatian.
... having regard to the modesty of his virgin continency, and the humility of his ... Moreover,
Cornelius was made bishop by the judgment of God and of His Christ, by ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle li to antonianus about.htm

Epistle Liv. To Cornelius, Concerning Fortunatus and Felicissimus ...
... Argument."Cyprian Chiefly Warns Cornelius in This Letter Not to Hear the Calumnies
of ... spring not from the teaching of Christ who teaches humility, but from ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle liv to cornelius concerning.htm

'God is no Respecter of Persons'
... It was, first, a test of humility and obedience. Cornelius, as a Roman officer,
would be tempted to feel the usual contempt for one of the subject race, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/god is no respecter of.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... Cornelius, [378]28; blessed with knowledge because of love, [379]112. ... Humility, its
tokens and blessing, [860]4; its origin, [861]5; exalts to heaven, [862]249 ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

Paracelsus {13}
... different stamp, men who could not imitate their patience and humility; who were ...
Such, in the first half of the sixteenth century, was Cornelius Agrippa"a ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/paracelsus 13.htm

Letter Lxxix. To Salvina.
... it is written: "there was a certain man in C??sarea called Cornelius, a centurion
of ... amid purple and silk and jewels overcame pride with humility; and although ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxxix to salvina.htm

Christ's Humiliation in his Incarnation
... 4:4. By the fulness of time we must understand, tempus a patre praefinitum; so Ambrose,
Luther, Cornelius a Lapide ... 2.) See here the wonderful humility of Christ ...
/.../watson/a body of divinity/6 christs humiliation in his.htm

Truth Hidden when not Sought After.
... valued, accepted, by none but lovers of truth, virtue, purity, humility, and peace. ...
the other hand, men of holy and consistent lives, as Cornelius the Centurion ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xiii truth hidden when.htm

Acts x. 23, 24
... "And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him ... This, both to teach the others, and
by way of giving thanks to God, and showing his own humility: thereby making ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxiii acts x 23.htm