Key Scripture: Acts 10:1-4

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, 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.

Relevance

I have a family member who has recently been selected for Australia's elite fighting force, the SAS, or Special Air Service—a direct command unit of Special Operations Command. 

I am told that only 31 men out of a pool of 1,000 made it through. The term 'special' is accurate. 

To be considered for entry to such a team, one's life must be characterised by discipline. To succeed in the course, discipline is also a key characteristic. To remain in that elite force, discipline again comes to the fore.

Discipline overrides laziness, slothfulness, and procrastination—those three negative habits that make us so predictably unreliable. No armed force can succeed without discipline, and neither can Christians. 

This brings us to Cornelius, a Roman centurion of the Italian band. A man whose professional discipline as a soldier made him a leader in his local Christian group, then worldwide, as his name spread abroad with the sale of every Bible. When I say 'leader,' I don't mean in word only, but in consistency of faith and works.  

Luke, the writer of the Book of Acts, attributes certain outstanding qualities to Cornelius, as if he knew him personally or had been told by those close to Cornelius. Either way, he writes from a point of admiration. 

Firstly, Cornelius was devout. His initial characteristic is his intense devotion to his Saviour. He was an excellent example of a Born Again Christian, yielding reverential attention to all his godly duties and ministry, leaving nothing to chance. Devotion is linked to adoration, which in turn is linked to worship. Cornelius kept himself immersed in godly passion. 

Secondly, he feared God. Proverbs states that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and when we understand that fear, knowledge comes. Proverbs 14:26 says In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. Within that realm of awe was Cornelius's responsibility as head of household to his family. Through his passion and leadership, all of his household, both family and servants, were encapsulated in that circle of heirship.  

His determination for righteousness and God's covering puts him in great company. Genesis 18:19 says of Abraham,  For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord.... I can see Cornelius both coaching and commanding his precious people in the love of his Lord. Again, his military tenets shape his spiritual accountability, that nobody gets left behind. 

Thirdly, he gave 'much' alms. He understood that to whom much is given, much is expected. If there was a financial need, Conrnelius didn't count his pennies. The Kingdom doesn't run on prayer alone. People need to be blessed and aided with charitable deeds and donations, and he would have been one of the first to help. The largesse of heart the Lord seeks in us all is seen in the disciples' generosity directly after Pentecost. I believe Cornelius used that as his template.     

Fourth, he prayed to God always. Prayer is the vital component we often overlook, yet it is the key to everything. When we take it lightly, our faith is affected. Praying always keeps us continually in touch with our Saviour. It brings us wonderfully close with open hearts and ears awaiting the Lord's dialogue. 

Four means solid foundation. Cornelius took his calling seriously, as the Lord requires of all of us. He diligently ensured that the four areas of sound discipleship were under control, not loose, intermittent and useless. 

And what did the Lord say about him? Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 

Since time began, God has set certain events and instances as memorials, including the Passover and the pouring out of Mary's alabaster box of ointment, that we should never forget what happened. Here, we see God elevating Cornelius's conduct to that short list of honoured biblical testimonials.

We can only praise our Lord and Saviour for humble and committed Christians such as Cornelius, from whom we can learn so much in such a short time.  

No wonder the Lord sent both an angel and Peter the disciple to him with such a critical mission!  

Prayer

Wonderful Father, how precious is our beautiful brother, Cornelius? What an example of a truly Born Again believer. Thank you for honouring such a man, who has shown us such great faithfulness. 

Photo by Ben White