{"id":15778,"date":"2019-05-20T10:36:23","date_gmt":"2019-05-20T14:36:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dustoffthebible.com\/Blog-archive\/?p=15778"},"modified":"2019-05-20T10:36:23","modified_gmt":"2019-05-20T14:36:23","slug":"acts-devotional-commentary-acts-101-7-cornelius-calls-for-peter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dustoffthebible.com\/Blog-archive\/2019\/05\/20\/acts-devotional-commentary-acts-101-7-cornelius-calls-for-peter\/","title":{"rendered":"Acts Devotional Commentary [Acts 10:1-7] Cornelius Calls for Peter"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Acts 10:1-7<\/span><\/h1>\n
\n

Cornelius Calls for Peter<\/span><\/h3>\n

10\u00a0<\/span>At Caesarea\u00a0there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.<\/span>\u00a02\u00a0<\/sup>He and all his family were devout and God-fearing;\u00a0he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.<\/span>\u00a03\u00a0<\/sup>One day at about three in the afternoon\u00a0he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel\u00a0of God, who came to him and said, \u201cCornelius!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

4\u00a0<\/sup>Cornelius stared at him in fear. \u201cWhat is it, Lord?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

The angel answered, \u201cYour prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering\u00a0before God.<\/span>\u00a05\u00a0<\/sup>Now send men to Joppa\u00a0to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.<\/span>\u00a06\u00a0<\/sup>He is staying with Simon the tanner,\u00a0whose house is by the sea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

7\u00a0<\/sup>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.<\/span>\u00a08\u00a0<\/sup>He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Observations and Reflections<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

From where Pater was currently staying in Joppa, Ceasarea was a long single day walk, or two short days of walking. The journey appears to have been split up into two days this time around.<\/p>\n

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.<\/span>\u00a024\u00a0<\/sup>The following day he arrived in Caesarea. (acts 10:23-24)<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

One of the interesting things about Luke’s story telling in acts is that sometimes he will provide what seems to be too much unnecessary information, while at other times not enough information. In chapter 10 he recounts the story of Peter and Cornelius in great detail. For example, Cornelius’ was listed as “about three in the afternoon”. This detail is not really adding anything important to the story but it does help the reader build a mental picture. Luke also provides details about Cornelius’ character. He is described as being God-fearing and giving generously to the poor. The description of Cornelius follows a biblical theme that should be recognized by readers.<\/p>\n

The combination of God-fearing and generosity towards the poor is repeated throughout the scriptures. Job’s story emphasizes the need to take care of the poor as he recognizes this command as part of what it means to be righteous. When he appeals to the Lord due to his afflictions and makes a defense for himself, he repeated appeals to his godly behavior of taking care of the poor.<\/p>\n

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. (Job 1:1)<\/strong><\/p>\n

16\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cIf I have denied the desires of the poor<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>or let the eyes of the widow\u00a0grow weary,<\/span><\/span>
\n17\u00a0<\/sup>if I have kept my bread to myself,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>not sharing it with the fatherless\u2014<\/span><\/span>
\n18\u00a0<\/sup>but from my youth I reared them as a father would,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and from my birth I guided the widow\u2014<\/span><\/span>
\n19\u00a0<\/sup>if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>or the needy\u00a0without garments,<\/span><\/span>
\n20\u00a0<\/sup>and their hearts did not bless me<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>for warming them with the fleece\u00a0from my sheep,<\/span><\/span>
\n21\u00a0<\/sup>if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>knowing that I had influence in court,<\/span><\/span>
\n22\u00a0<\/sup>then let my arm fall from the shoulder,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>let it be broken off at the joint.<\/span><\/span>
\n23\u00a0<\/sup>For I dreaded destruction from God,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and for fear of his splendor\u00a0I could not do such things.<\/span><\/span>
\n(Job 31:16-23)<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

One of the reasons this theme exists is because God states emphatically that in His kingdom, the needy will be taken care of. His laws given to Israel reflects this, as does His repeated warning to Israel.<\/p>\n

Do not deny justice\u00a0to your poor people in their lawsuits. (Exodus 23:6)<\/strong><\/p>\n

For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops,<\/span>\u00a011\u00a0<\/sup>but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused.\u00a0Then the poor among your people may get food from it (Exodus 23:10-11)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. (Leviticus 19:9-10)<\/strong><\/p>\n

When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the\u00a0poor<\/span>\u00a0and for the foreigner residing among you. (Leviticus 23:22)<\/strong><\/p>\n

If any of your fellow Israelites become\u00a0poor<\/span>\u00a0and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you. (Leviticus 25:35)<\/strong><\/p>\n

If anyone making the vow is too\u00a0poor<\/span>\u00a0to pay the specified amount, the person being dedicated is to be presented to the priest, who will set the value according to what the one making the vow can afford. (Leviticus 27:28)<\/strong><\/p>\n

However, there need be no\u00a0poor<\/span>\u00a0people among you, for in the land the LORD\u00a0your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you. (Deuteronomy 15:4)<\/strong><\/p>\n

If anyone is\u00a0poor<\/span>\u00a0among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the LORD\u00a0your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. (Deuteronomy 15:7)<\/strong><\/p>\n

There will always be\u00a0poor<\/span>\u00a0people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are\u00a0poor<\/span>\u00a0and needy in your land. (Deuteronomy 15:11)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is\u00a0poor<\/span>\u00a0and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns.\u00a0Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are\u00a0poor<\/span>\u00a0and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the LORD\u00a0against you, and you will be guilty of sin.\u00a0(Deuteronomy 24:14-15)<\/strong><\/p>\n

He that has pity on the poor lends to the LORD; and that which he has given will he pay him again. (Proverbs 19:17)<\/strong><\/p>\n

who lends money to the\u00a0poor<\/span>\u00a0without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken. (Psalm 15:5)<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In the writings of the prophets God shows his anger towards Israel for not taking care of the poor and needy.<\/p>\n

3\u00a0<\/sup>The\u00a0Lord<\/span>\u00a0takes his place in court;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>he rises to judge\u00a0the people.<\/span><\/span>
\n14\u00a0<\/sup>The\u00a0Lord<\/span>\u00a0enters into judgment<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>against the elders and leaders of his people:<\/span><\/span>
\n\u201cIt is you who have ruined my vineyard;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>the plunder\u00a0from the poor\u00a0is in your houses.<\/span><\/span>
\n15\u00a0<\/sup>What do you mean by crushing my people<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and grinding\u00a0the faces of the poor?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\ndeclares the Lord, the\u00a0Lord<\/span>\u00a0Almighty.<\/span><\/span>
\n(Isaiah 3:13-15)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Woe\u00a0to those who make unjust laws,<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>to those who issue oppressive decrees,<\/span><\/span>
\n2\u00a0<\/sup>to deprive\u00a0the poor of their rights<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people,<\/span><\/span>
\nmaking widows their prey<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and robbing the fatherless.<\/span><\/span>
\n3\u00a0<\/sup>What will you do on the day of reckoning,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>when disaster\u00a0comes from afar?<\/span><\/span>
\nTo whom will you run for help?<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Where will you leave your riches?<\/span><\/span>
\n(Isaiah 10:1-3)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIs not this the kind of fasting\u00a0I have chosen:<\/span>
\nto loose the chains of injustice<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and untie the cords of the yoke,<\/span><\/span>
\nto set the oppressed\u00a0free<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and break every yoke?<\/span><\/span>
\n7\u00a0<\/sup>Is it not to share your food with the hungry<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter\u2014<\/span><\/span>
\nwhen you see the naked, to clothe\u00a0them,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?<\/span><\/span>
\n8\u00a0<\/sup>Then your light will break forth like the dawn,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and your healing\u00a0will quickly appear;<\/span><\/span>
\nthen your righteousness\u00a0will go before you,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and the glory of the\u00a0Lord<\/span>\u00a0will be your rear guard.<\/span><\/span>
\n9\u00a0<\/sup>Then you will call,\u00a0and the\u00a0Lord<\/span>\u00a0will answer;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u201cIf you do away with the yoke of oppression,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>with the pointing finger\u00a0and malicious talk,<\/span><\/span>
\n10\u00a0<\/sup>and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,<\/span><\/span>
\nthen your light\u00a0will rise in the darkness,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and your night will become like the noonday.<\/span><\/span>
\n(Isaiah 58:6-10)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Like cages full of birds,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>their houses are full of deceit;<\/span><\/span>
\nthey have become rich\u00a0and powerful<\/span>
\n28\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and have grown fat\u00a0and sleek.<\/span><\/span>
\nTheir evil deeds have no limit;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>they do not seek justice.<\/span><\/span>
\nThey do not promote the case of the fatherless;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>they do not defend the just cause of the poor.<\/span><\/span>
\n29\u00a0<\/sup>Should I not punish them for this?\u201d<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>declares the\u00a0Lord<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>
\n(Jeremiah 5:27-29)<\/strong><\/p>\n

He defended the cause of the\u00a0poor<\/span>\u00a0and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?\u201d declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 22:16)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the\u00a0poor<\/span>\u00a0and needy. (Ezekiel 16:49)<\/strong><\/p>\n

He withholds his hand from mistreating the\u00a0poor<\/span>\u00a0and takes no interest or profit from them. He keeps my laws and follows my decrees. He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live. (Ezekiel 18:17)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hear this word, you cows of Bashan\u00a0on Mount Samaria,<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>you women who oppress the poor\u00a0and crush the needy<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and say to your husbands,\u00a0\u201cBring us some drinks!\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n2\u00a0<\/sup>The Sovereign\u00a0Lord<\/span>\u00a0has sworn by his holiness:<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u201cThe time\u00a0will surely come<\/span><\/span>
\nwhen you will be taken away\u00a0with hooks,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>the last of you with fishhooks…
\n(Amos 4:1-2)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

You levy a straw tax on the poor<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and impose a tax on their grain.<\/span><\/span>
\nTherefore, though you have built stone mansions,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>you will not live in them;<\/span><\/span>
\nthough you have planted lush vineyards,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>you will not drink their wine.<\/span><\/span>
\n12\u00a0<\/sup>For I know how many are your offenses<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and how great your sins.<\/span><\/span>
\n(Amos 5:11-12)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the\u00a0poor<\/span>. (Zechariah 7:10)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

With this OT theme in mind, it should be of no surprise that the NT echoes this sentiment.<\/p>\n

But now as for what is inside you\u2014be generous to the\u00a0poor<\/span>, and everything will be clean for you. (Luke 11:14)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sell that you have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that fails not, where no thief approaches, neither moth corrupts. (Luke 12:33)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame. (Parable of the Banquet, Luke 14:21)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jesus answered, \u201cIf you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the\u00a0poor<\/span>, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.\u201d (Matthew 19:21)<\/strong><\/p>\n

And God is able\u00a0to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,\u00a0you will abound in every good work.<\/span>\u00a09\u00a0<\/sup>As it is written:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThey have freely scattered their gifts\u00a0to the poor;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>their righteousness endures forever.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

10\u00a0<\/sup>Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food\u00a0will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. (2 Corinthians 9:8-10)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The importance of giving to the poor (alms) as part of a godly life is repeated in the traditions and writing of the Jewish people.<\/p>\n

On three things the world stands: on the Torah, on the service and on acts of loving-kindness.\u00a0(Pirk\u0113 Aboth 1.2)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your house should be open wide, and you should make the poor members of your household.\u00a0(Pirk\u0113 Aboth 1:5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

For almsgiving saves from death and purges away every sin. Those who give alms will enjoy a full life (Tobit 12:9)<\/strong><\/p>\n

“alms-giving is equal in value to all other commandments” (Rab Assi)<\/strong><\/p>\n

When the poor stand at your door, remember that their Maker stands at their right hand (Ps. 109), and consider it a high privilege for you to help them. (Leviticus Rabba 34)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Better\u00a0is\u00a0he\u00a0who\u00a0goes\u00a0and\u00a0works\u00a0and\u00a0gives charity\u00a0of that which is\u00a0his own.\u00a0(Bar Mitsveta)<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Having taken into account the above passages, one should consider whether or not Christianity, as it is today, is fulfilling the wishes of the Lord in treatment towards the poor. In the modern Christian some of the most famous pastors are flying around in million dollar jets and living in giant mansions, while the people around them are wallowing in poverty. This seems to be in stark contrast to what the Bible would consider righteous behavior.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, the emphasis that Luke provides in the book of Acts when describing Cornelius as being God-fearing and generous to the poor, should not be taken as a matter of passing. Cornelius was a faithful Jewish man who was truly seeking the Lord, as evidenced by his duty to those who could not return any value back to his life. In fact, according the Luke, the life of Cornelius evoked a message from the Lord.<\/p>\n

Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering\u00a0before God (Acts 10:4)<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As we will see in Cornelius’ story, he will be the first of the Gentiles to be baptized into the kingdom. Time after time in the scriptures, we see that those who fear and obey the Lord will be saved, regardless of social status or national affiliation.<\/p>\n

\n

Featured image is in the public domain.
\nVision of Cornelius the Centurion,\u00a0<\/i>Gerbrand van den Eeckhout<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Acts 10:1-7 Cornelius Calls for Peter 10\u00a0At Caesarea\u00a0there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.\u00a02\u00a0He and all his family were devout and God-fearing;\u00a0he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.\u00a03\u00a0One day at about three in the afternoon\u00a0he had a vision. He distinctly saw … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12227,"featured_media":15780,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2280,7611],"tags":[7754,7614,7755],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dustoffthebible.com\/Blog-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15778"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dustoffthebible.com\/Blog-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dustoffthebible.com\/Blog-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dustoffthebible.com\/Blog-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12227"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dustoffthebible.com\/Blog-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15778"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dustoffthebible.com\/Blog-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15778\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dustoffthebible.com\/Blog-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15780"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dustoffthebible.com\/Blog-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15778"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dustoffthebible.com\/Blog-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15778"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dustoffthebible.com\/Blog-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15778"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}