There are many characters in the Bible whose personal histories serve as a lesson to us. We can avoid a lot of things by learning from these characters. This post focuses on one of the Bible characters – Cornelius.
In Acts chapter 10 there was a man named Cornelius, a Centurion who lived in Caesarea. He was a Roman army officer who was a captain of the Halian Regiment. He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God.
Cornelius’s story is so important because though a Gentile he received the gospel and the Holy Spirit. God indeed shows no favoritism so much so the Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. – Acts 10:45
There are vital lessons to learn from this wonderful character.
Lesson 1: Never think that being religious is enough to save you.
Lesson 2: Do not assume reverence to God or fear of God can save your soul
Being devoted to the things of God doesn’t make one a born again Christian. Although Cornelius was so devout and worshipped God, yet he still needed to hear the gospel and respond to it. That’s the reason Peter was sent to him so he can hear the message about Jesus Christ. It was only after he and his entire household got born again that the Holy Spirit was poured out on them.
Being a God-fearing person does not necessarily mean you are born again. Why? Because demons fear too and so are unsaved men. “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” – (James 2:19 NLT). Then again 1 Samuel 12:18 (KJV) says So Samuel called unto the Lord; and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.
Lesson 3: Giving alms or giving to the poor doesn’t guarantee you salvation
Lesson 4: Continuous prayer does not constitute salvation
A prayerful life without Christ amounts to nothing.
We hear and see politicians, celebrities, individuals, etc giving to the poor all the time. Do we say all these people are saved? The Pharisees did the same and yet rejected salvation. “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” – Matthew 6:1-2
One may also give all he has and still be lost (1 Corinthians 13:3). Some people are naturally good just like Cornelius. A religious person whose continuous prayers were heard by God. Prayerfulness does not generate into salvation. A prayerful life without Christ amounts to nothing. Cornelius was devout (Acts 10:2) but he was not saved. Devoutness in itself does not constitute salvation. Men even pray in hell but it avails nothing – Luke 16:23-31
Lesson 5: Seeing visions is not a sign that a person is saved
Lesson 6: Being respected by men is not an assurance for salvation
Among the amazing things associated with Cornelius was the vision he received and also the fact that men respected him. Cornelius was just in the eyes of men that all the Jewish people respect him. Notwithstanding all these, he was not saved. We see the account of unsaved men in Job 33:14-30 having visions that didn’t save them. Having a vision is not a sign of personal salvation.
Lesson 7: Having a good reputation of men does not redeem your soul
Lesson 8: Fasting is not a sign that you are saved
Truly God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Apostle Paul in Acts 23:1 says he has always lived before God with a clear conscience but then again in Philippians 3:6 he indicates I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. A good reputation isn’t a qualification for salvation.
Then again, Cornelius fasted in Acts 10:30. Fasting is one of the spiritual exercises of a Christian because it helps grow spiritually. When fasting becomes just a norm then it loses its focus. Hypocrites did fast weekly. (Matthew 6:16-18)
Cornelius was a good man with a beautiful personality but needed to hear and respond to the Good News. Even though he didn’t know the Lord at the time, when the opportunity presented itself for him to be saved he grabbed it. He did not reject the angel’s message but obeyed and sent for Peter. The Lord’s message was delivered to Cornelius and his household.
The Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word and they spoke in tongues and got baptized. Surprising isn’t it? That how can a gentile also receive Christ? With God all things are possible and He is no respecter of persons.
“So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him” (Acts 10:34-35 ESV). And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles (Acts 10:45 ESV)
Have you come across persons who say “as for me I don’t do anything bad and even though I don’t go to church I believe in God?” Is it possible that we have some ‘Corneliuses’ in the church today?
The King's Daughters 