Acts 10

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.

And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

What does Acts 10:2 mean?

Explanation

Acts 10:2 refers to Cornelius, a Roman centurion, who is described as "a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway." This verse highlights several key traits of Cornelius's character: his devotion to God, his reverence for the divine (referred to as "feared God"), his philanthropy (evident in giving "much alms"), and his commitment to prayer.

The depth of Cornelius's faith is not only personal but extends to his household; he leads and influences his entire family in the worship and reverence of God.

The literal meaning is that Cornelius was a religious and pious individual who actively practiced his faith, exhibited generosity to those in need, and showed a consistent prayer life.

The deeper meaning touches on the universality of God's message, indicating that even those outside of the Jewish faith were seeking God and could live in a way that pleased Him.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

This verse takes place during the early Church era after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Acts, authored by Luke, documents the spread of Christianity and the Holy Spirit's work in the lives of the apostles and early Christians.

Cornelius, described in Acts 10:2, lived in Caesarea, which was a predominantly Gentile region, making him a non-Jew showing dedication to the God of the Jews.

His position as a centurion also indicates he was part of the Roman military, a prestigious and powerful arm of the Roman Empire.

At this time, the early Christian community was grappling with the boundaries of God's covenant, specifically, whether it was restricted to Jews or if it also included Gentiles.

Cornelius's story is a significant illustration of this issue being resolved in favor of the inclusion of Gentiles within the Christian faith.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, Cornelius represents the opening of the gospel to the Gentiles, a crucial theme throughout the Book of Acts.

His reverence for God, his generosities, and his prayerful life testify to the presence of divine grace working outside the traditional bounds of the Jewish people.

Several theological viewpoints come into play concerning Cornelius's story.

One is that of divine providence, God arranging circumstances to draw Cornelius into a deeper understanding of the Gospel through an encounter with Peter.

Another viewpoint stresses that righteousness and devout practices are noticed by God, regardless of one's ethnic or religious background.

Furthermore, some theologians see this as an early instance of inclusivity in Christianity, advocating that salvation through Jesus is available to all humanity.

Practical Applications

The character of Cornelius in Acts 10:2 can serve as a model for contemporary believers in several ways. His devotion and continuous prayer life suggest the importance of regular communication with God.

Additionally, his generosity to those in need challenges individuals and communities to engage in acts of charity and service.

The account of Cornelius also encourages inclusivity within the faith community, inviting people to recognize the work of God beyond traditional boundaries of culture, ethnicity, or denomination.

In daily life, this calls for an acceptance of diversity and an acknowledgment of the numerous ways God can be at work in different people’s lives.

Cross-References

Acts 10:4 - "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."
Luke 1:50 - "And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation."
Hebrews 13:16 - "But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
James 2:26 - "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

Language Study

Key words in Acts 10:2 in the original Greek language include:

"Devout" (εὐσεβής - eusebēs): This means someone who is pious or religiously reverent.
"Feared" (φοβούμενος - phoboumenos): This refers to someone who has reverence or respect for God, going beyond the notion of being afraid.
"Alms" (ἐλεημοσύνη - eleēmosunē): Denotes acts of charity or giving to the poor.
"Prayed to God alway" (δεόμενος τοῦ Θεοῦ - deomenos tou Theou): This implies constant and earnest prayer to God.

Understanding these original terms adds depth to Cornelius’s character, showing his religious fervor was combined with a genuine ethical expression and ongoing conversation with God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Cornelius's devoutness and fear of the divine closely resemble the piety observed in other ancient religions. For instance, in Roman and Greek mythologies, reverence to the gods was shown through sacrifices and prayers, much like Cornelius’s giving of alms and habitual prayer.

However, it is unusual for a Roman centurion, an upholder of Roman imperial power and likely a participant in the imperial cult, to show such devotion to the God of another faith.

This narrative points to a cross-cultural and religious interaction where the monotheistic Jewish God is revered by a member of a polytheistic society.

Scientific Perspectives

The scientific viewpoint does not directly intersect with Acts 10:2, as it is a historical and religious text rather than a statement on the natural world.

However, modern psychology and sociology might explore the behaviors described, altruism, prayer, and familial religious practice, as they relate to human wellness, societal health, and the formation of community bonds.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Acts 10:2 reflect on Cornelius as a God-fearer: a Gentile who followed Jewish religious practices without being fully converted to Judaism.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary notes Cornelius's generosity not just to the Jewish poor but to all, showcasing his role as a bridge between Jews and Gentiles.

John Wesley emphasizes that his fear of God was not a slavish dread but a childlike reverence.

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary mentions how Luke (the author of Acts) uses Cornelius's story to demonstrate the breaking down of barriers between Jews and non-Jews.

Overall, these commentaries align in interpreting Cornelius as a pivotal figure in the spread of Christianity beyond the Jewish community.

Acts 10

Acts 10

What does Acts 10:2 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 10:2 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?