From Ben Fronczek.... Crazy In Love With God

Crazy In Love With God

Cornelius: The God-Fearing Gentile  (Part 1)
Acts 10

One of my favorite conversion stories in the Book of Acts is that of Cornelius.
But most of the time when we study Acts chapter 10 we seem to focused more on Peter than on Cornelius. I thought it is quite interesting how God chose to use Peter to be the first one to take the Gospel to the gentiles. But before he
could do that God had to help him overcome his ethnic and spiritual prejudices
so that he would accept Cornelius’ family and friends into the fellowship of the Church. Over the next couple of weeks I would like to bring you a few lessons centered around this man. I would like to talk more about Cornelius because he is truly an extraordinary man. He is a man that is worthy of our admiration, and should be imitated in so many ways.

Read: Acts 10   (Click on the link to read)

So what is so special about Cornelius?

Even though he is a Roman and a gentile, we see that he is a Courageous man of Faith.

At first glance, one may not recognize this or even the many details that are provided here about Cornelius and his background. But in all reality, we can glean quite a bit of information from the facts presented in the very first few verses of Chapter 10.

First of all, his name – Cornelius – it tells us that he was Italian. This was a very common Italian name.  Secondly, we are told that he was a Roman soldier. Not only was Cornelius a soldier, he was a fairly high-ranking officer. He was a Centurion. #3 According to Roman custom, this tells us that he was over thirty years old because it took 12 to 16 years of military service to be eligible for promotion to such a rank. Furthermore, being a Centurion we know that Cornelius must have been somewhat intelligent ; a man who had to have shown administrative skills along with combat leadership.

Even with the rank of centurion, scholars tell us that there were many grades or levels.  Most centurions commanded about 100 men, but senior centurions commanded cohorts, or took senior staff roles in their legion.  (just like we have 1-5 star generals)

Many scholars believe that Cornelius was on the higher end of the ranking system of Centurions. I believe that the Scriptures lend support to that being the case in two ways: First, Cornelius had the authority, as we shall see in this passage, to dispatch a soldier on an obvious personal errand. A low ranking Centurion would never have had such authority. Secondly, Cornelius also enjoyed the presence of his family, in what appeared to be a really big house, a privilege granted only to those of the upper ranks.

Another thing we learn is that Cornelius was stationed at Caesarea, a coastal city about 60 miles Northwest of Jerusalem. Caesarea was the seat of Roman government in Palestine and Syria- a very important place. This is where the Roman governor was head-quartered. Some theorize that Cornelius’ Regiment – being entirely Italian – was responsible in part for the Roman governor’s security. At this time, Marcellus – Pontius Pilate’s successor – was governor.

We need to remember that Rome conquered the territories the New Testament calls Judea, Galilee and Samaria 60 years before the birth of Christ. The Jews therefore had a very negative opinion of the Romans.  Likewise their Roman masters, the Roman troops, did not particularly love their captives either, the Jews . So it is obvious that there is some real bad feeling between the Jews and the Romans; something the Peter and the early church had to overcome.

Because they were the conquerors, many Romans thought they were the superior civilization. They believed that they ruled the world because they alone were wise and powerful. They viewed most other people and their cultures as being inferior.

Many Roman soldiers and their officers shared that contempt for the peoples they conquered. Though officially prohibited, it was not uncommon for Roman troops to oppress the people they conquered and ruled over. There were cases where Roman soldiers were guilty of assaults and robberies. And in many cases, their officers, if they were not doing the same, would just turn a blind eye to such misdeeds.

But, what an amazing contrast we see here in Cornelius.
Cornelius seems devoid of this prejudice. It is evident that he did not look-down on the Jewish people. Rather than having ill feelings toward the Jewish race and their customs, he showed them courtesy and respect. As we shall see, he demonstrated this in many ways. However, his lack of arrogance and prejudice is most clearly apparent in him adopting the God of the conquered Jews.

We read that Cornelius was a believer and worshipper of the God of the Jews. He not only believe in Him, the text says he and his whole family were devout believers. He had obviously abandoned the gods of Rome and turned to the Lord, as the one true God.  I believe it is hard for us to totally appreciate Cornelius’ decision here.

All but the most educated Romans believed in many gods and goddesses. Serving and appeasing their multiple deities was a major element of Roman life. However, this was a bit of an obsession within the Roman military. Not honoring the gods, especially their god Mars, who was their god of war, was tantamount to treason. If they did not pay homage to Mars and if the other gods were not honored, they thought it would mean a defeat in battle.

Anywhere and everywhere the Roman Army went, they carried with them portable pagan shrines for worship and sacrifice. The Army’s religious rituals were extensive. And who do you suppose was responsible for ensuring that the troops were observing the necessary rites and ritual? The centurion.

Cornelius obviously rejected his cultural background. He courageously bucked the system by renouncing paganism and accepting the true Faith of the true God. That is impressive to me! Some of us have in a way done the same thing when we turned to the truth of the Gospel and away from traditional family religious beliefs. Sometimes it can cause some real problems.

Legend has it that a wealthy merchant traveling through the Mediterranean world was looking for the Pharisee and Apostle, Paul. He eventually met up with Timothy, who arranged a visit. Paul was, at the time, a prisoner in Rome. Entering the cell, the merchant was surprised to find a rather old man, physically frail, but whose serenity and magnetism challenged the visitor. They talked for hours. Finally the merchant left with Paul’s blessing. Outside the prison, the concerned man inquired, “What is the secret of this man’s power? I have never seen anything like it before.” “Did you not guess?” replied Timothy. “Paul is in love.” The merchant looked bewildered. “In love?” “Yes,” the merchant answered, “Paul is in love with Jesus Christ.” The merchant looked even more bewildered. “Is that all?” Smiling, Timothy replied, “Sir, that is everything!”

What man wouldn’t rush to his lover’s side if she were surrounded by thugs? What parent wouldn’t try to protect their children whom they love.  Our Love is a powerful ally, giving us strength when nothing else can. I believe Paul’s love for Jesus is what gave him the strength to do all that he did.

And I also believe that even though he was a gentile, Cornelius had somehow learned about our God and fell in love with Him. I am sure it changed his life in ways he never expected. The man that was trained to kill and conquer and protect the concerns of the Roman Empire in the name of his deified Caesar, and in the name of the Roman Gods was now acting more like a Christian than a Roman.

Did Cornelius understand the potential consequence of his actions, his change of loyalty? Of giving up his pagan Roman gods?   I cannot help but believe so.  Even though the great persecution of the church  by the Romans hadn’t begun yet, his change of loyalties I’m sure would have not set well with Rome.

So what lesson from all this can we take from this today?  It is simple yet powerful one: The more you love Jesus, the more you love God, and the closer the relationship you have with Him, and the more you commune with Him, the more He will change your life. And the more strength you will have. When it comes to doing things for God, you will be more courageous, more assertive, more accepting, less prejudice, even more generous.

Our increasing love for God will prompt us to do things we never thought possible. That’s what happened in this man, and God took notice of it and sends an angel to him with a message letting him know that God was pleased with him.

If you really, really love God, you will love….. the things of God; His people, His word, His way, His will, and He will begin to shine and work through you.

I don’t know how many times I’ve said it before, but Christianity is not just being religious; about going to church, and following a bunch of rules of what you can do and what you can’t do. I believe the very heart  of Christianity is having that close and intimate relationship with God,
with Jesus.

Maybe this all seems dull and uninteresting to you… going to church every week, doing the same things week after week, feeling obligated to pray and read the Bible…

Let me ask you this, do you think you have a relationship with God like Cornelius had?  It said that he was devoted, he prayed regularity, he went out of his was to show mercy and generosity even to his enemy.  And he wasn’t even a Christian…yet.  I believe he didn’t feel obligated, rather he was in love with our Lord!

My encouragement is this, first and foremost, do whatever it takes to fall in love with our Lord. Maybe you never did. Maybe you became a Christian because you wanted to go to heaven and not hell. Maybe you just felt obligated because you knew it was the right thing to do. I don’t think that’s enough.  And I think that’s why so many of us are weak, insecure, half committed, and sometimes afraid to step out on faith. It is because we are doing it for the wrong reason. Rather than doing something because we are crazy in love with God, we do it for a hundred other reasons.

You just may need to spend more time alone with Him, and talk to Him, or read from His word and about the things He did with other people. Realize that He wants to have that close relationship with you.  Listen to music and lessons on the radio or on your computer that moves your heart closer to Him. And it just may surprise you what will happen in your life.