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THE
CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS
“A
MAN WARNED TO HEAR WORDS” (Acts 10:22)
“WORD’S
WHEREBY THOU SHALL BE SAVED” (Acts 11:14)
BIBLE TEXT – READ (ACTS 10:1-6,
22, 29-48) (11:14-17)
The story of the conversion of Cornelius is an important story. It is important for a number of reasons. It’s a story about “two visions”. God was at work in this story because a vision is a voice from heaven. God was speaking to Cornelius to warn him to hear words whereby he might be saved, (Acts 10:22). God was speaking to Peter to prepare him to take the gospel to a Gentile. Peter had scruples and prejudices to overcome before he would consent to visit a Gentile. The story is important because Cornelius is the first gentile to hear and accept the gospel. Peter said in, (Acts 15:7) “God made choice that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe”. Because of that, James said, (Acts 15:14) “God did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name”. This story is important because if this man needed to be saved, surely we all need to be saved. You will see what I mean as we review this portion of the Word of God. By way of outline, I would like to draw your attention to the following things concerning this man named Cornelius and his conversion:
1. (ACTS 10:1) – CORNELIUS WAS A RESPONSIBLE MAN
2. (ACTS 10:2) – CORNELIUS WAS A RELIGIOUS MAN
3. (ACTS 10:22a) – CORNELIUS WAS A RIGHTEOUS MAN
4. (ACTS 10:22b) – CORNELIUS WAS A RUINED MAN
5. (ACTS 10:3-6) – CORNELIUS WAS A REMEMBERED MAN
6. (ACTS 10:44-48) – CORNELIUS BECAME A REDEEMED MAN
1) CORNELIUS
WAS A RESPONSIBLE MAN
In (Acts 10:1) we see that “Cornelius was a responsible man.” He was a man of rank and authority. As a commander of a Roman division consisting of one hundred men, he had many responsibilities. Many people pursue and some achieve a good measure of success, social status and wealth in this life. It is natural to want these things. There is danger, however, when one pursues this course while neglecting the eternal well being of their soul. (Mark 8:36, 37) “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul”. At the judgment seat of Christ, (Revelation 20:12), it says, ‘I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God.” Even those who are considered “great” in this life will stand before Christ at the “Great White Throne” judgment because they were “great” people who were never saved. How is it with you dear reader? Is this descriptive of you? Are you so busy with the affairs of this life that you have never really considered your eternal destiny? Are you prepared to meet God?
2) CORNELIUS
WAS A RELIGIOUS MAN
In (Acts 10:2) we see that “Cornelius was a religious man.” It says the following things about him;
Being “religious” will not get you into heaven. Religion is not redemption and sincerity is not salvation. Many people depend on their “religion”, their church membership, their baptism or their pastor, priest or pope to get them to heaven. Dear reader, please do not depend on your “religion” to get you to heaven. It was not sufficient for Cornelius and it will not be sufficient for you. God has left this example in His Word to serve as a warning to all who are depending on their religion or their church to get them into heaven.
3) CORNELIUS
WAS A RIGHTEOUS MAN
In (Acts 10:22a) it says of Cornelius that he was “a just man, and one that feared God, and of good report.” In
other words, “Cornelius was a righteous
man.” Sometimes we meet these kind of people in the world, people who are just and upright. Like Cornelius they
are reverent and are recognized for their good outward testimony. But, being
self righteous will not get you into heaven. Being well spoken of by family and
friends will not merit God’s salvation. Do you feel that you are a righteous
person and that because you have this reputation God will take you to heaven?
Notice what God’s Word says, (Isaiah 64:6) “We are ALL
as an unclean thing, and ALL OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSES are as filthy rags.” It
says in (Romans
4) CORNELIUS
WAS A RUINED MAN
Cornelius had much to commend him. Humanly speaking, he was
religious, moral and upright and had a good testimony before those who knew
him. But, HE WAS NOT SAVED. “Cornelius
was a ruined man.” He was a ruined sinner who needed God’s salvation.
Notice what it says in (Acts 10:22b), Cornelius “was warned from God.” He needed “to hear words.” He needed to hear the Gospel. He
needed to hear about God’s Savior and Gods way of salvation. Notice (Acts
5) CORNELIUS WAS A REMEMBERED MAN
We see this truth in (Acts 10:3-6) and other verses. God arranged for Peter to come to Cornelius
and preach the gospel to him. Read (Acts
Cornelius received a warning from God. His self-righteous life could not save
him. Your so called “good works” will
not save you. Church membership, infant
baptism, keeping the Ten Commandments, doing the best you can, will not save
you. There is only one way to be saved, (Acts
· (verse 36) – “The word which God sent … preaching peace by Jesus Christ, (He is Lord of all).” Peace with God comes through believing in and receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. (Romans 5:1) – “being justified by faith, (not by works) we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Do you have this peace?
·
(verse 37) – “That word
– which was published.” God has
given us His word, the Bible, the Word of God.
It says in (2 Timothy
· (verses 38,39a) – Peter preached about the life of the Lord Jesus Christ – “who went about doing good” – “all things which He did.” Peter spoke about the Lord’s anointing, His moral glory and His ministry. In the Bible, the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John reveal particularly the birth, life, ministry, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God wants you to know His Son. If you have never read these books it would be profitable for you to do so. (John 17:3) “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
· (verses 39b, 40) – Him “they slew and hanged on a tree.” Peter preached about the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. Cornelius needed to hear this message. You need to hear it as well. When the Lord Jesus died on the cross, He died for you, for your sins. (1 Peter 3:18) “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” (Romans 4:25) He was “delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.” This is the Gospel (God’s good news) that “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4). It was through believing the gospel that some of the Corinthians were saved. Notice (1 Corinthians 15: 1, 2). This is the only way that you also, can be saved.
6) CORNELIUS BECAME A REDEEMED MAN
Peter preached in (Acts
Have you believed the message of the gospel? It says in (Romans
In closing let me
remind you that you are traveling the “highway of life”, passing through time
on the way to eternity. There are only
two destinations before you. It will be
either heaven or hell and you will spend eternity in one of these two
destinations. Now that you have read
this message you have come to a “crossroads” in your earthly journey. Which way will you go? Will you be a believer or a
non-believer? It says in, (1 John 5:12) “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that
hath not the Son of God hath not life”.Please give this matter your most
serious attention. Will you be a
believer or a non-believer? Your eternal
destiny depends on your decision.
Christian Messenger