PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS
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Today, we are going to begin a week-long study of Acts chapter 10. This incredible collection of encounters and realizations from the Lord begins by telling us something about the man known to us as Cornelius. In the passage that follows, we can hear something of the man and the mission that God would use to bring about significant change in the life of the church.
1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
(Acts 10:1-8 NIV11)
The Job
You would not have needed to ask Cornelius what he did for a living. As a centurion, Cornelius would have been a man of bearing and accomplishment. His work would have been etched into his face (literally, all career Roman soldiers shared a similar scar that came from years of wearing a particular type of helmet).
On top of that, Cornelius was from the “Italian Regiment,” a group of soldiers that would eventually take control of the Levant after the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 68-70. On top of that, this man was a centurion stationed in the beautiful provincial Roman capital city of Caesarea-Maritima.
Cornelius was a man who was well known and well-connected. His position of power and influence would soon be used by God to accomplish far more than his earthly status ever could.
The Man
Cornelius was a man of faith. He believed in the God of the Jews. We cannot say if he was involved with Roman pantheism (it would have been required of him to show signs of veneration to the pseudo-god acting as Caesar over Rome). But we can say that his belief ran deep enough to lead him into action.
The angel mentions his acts of charity and prayer and commends him as being one worthy of being called into the service of the Lord. This man was also willing to share his beliefs with his family and with those who worked closely with him, as we see his family and friends respond to the work of God in the passage that follows.
Called Into Service
Cornelius was being called into service by the angel of the Lord. Like the centurion who met with Jesus Christ (Luke 7:1-10), Cornelius would also have understood the concepts of duty and honor. For Cornelius, being given a mission by the Lord was a high honor and not to be taken lightly.
So Cornelius conscripted some of his troops and trusted advisors to make good on this calling. The fact that he did not go himself was not a slight or an act of disobedience. Cornelius was a man who understood the idea that those under authority were representatives of the greater power.
Step of Faith
The Lord’s request of Cornelius was not light or easy. It was significant that a man of high status and authority was being asked to seek out and welcome a man of relative obscurity. Peter was a fisherman from the backwaters of the Galilee. In order for Cornelius to obey this calling, he would have to set aside his pride and embrace Peter as an equal.
Application
There are three things that I love about Cornelius and that speak to my life:
- Cornelius served the Lord even though he did not understand completely.
- Cornelius led his family to the Lord.
- When God called, Cornelius answered.
Today
These principles tell me something about the Lord and his will for me today.
The Lord commended Cornelius for his willingness to act on what he believed. He did not understand all that the Lord would eventually show him, but he was willing to act on what he did know, and the Lord rewarded his willingness.
I hope that the Lord calls you to take a step of faith today. If so, don’t overthink it. Respond to the leadership of the Spirit and be a little more like Cornelius today!
In Christ,
Ryan Laden
PASTOR RYAN LADEN
Senior Pastor at PARK HILL BAPTIST CHURCH
Worked at MTN. CHURCH
Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church
Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at Baylor University
Studied at Texas Tech University
Went to Castle Hills First Baptist
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