BRUCE C WEARNE examines what Peter’s meeting with the Roman centurion, Cornelius – recorded in the Book of Acts, tells us about the two men and God’s plan for Christians…
The next day (Peter) got ready rose and off he went with them, and they were accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa. And then, next day, they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them having called together his family-household and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet in worship. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I also am a man.” And as he talked with him, he was introduced to the many persons who had gathered; and he said to them, “You yourselves know how scandalous it is for any Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation; but God has shown me that I should not call any person wild or unclean. That is why, when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask you then to tell me why you sent for me.” And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, at this same afternoon time, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and there he was, a man standing before me in bright apparel, saying, ‘Cornelius, your prayers have been heard and your acts of mercy have been acknowledged before God. Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is also called Peter; he is residing in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the seaside.’ So that is why I sent for you tight away, and you have now kindly come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, (waiting) to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” – (Acts 10:23-33/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne)
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STATUE OF A ROMAN CENTURION: Cornelius was a member of this elite class of Roman officers. PICTURE: Spanish Browne/www.freeimages.com IN A NUTSHELL
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Often Peter has been depicted as the blustering fisherman from Galilee who talks first and thinks second. But let us look carefully at what Luke says.
Peter was under the guidance of God’s Spirit. He takes no glory for himself. Cornelius must stand. He is not to worship him. He puts it straight. “I too am a man.” In other words: if we are to relate, we do so “man to man”, under heaven. Jesus had said that though the one who sits at table is greater, He had been among them as a servant (Luke 22:25-27). He had also strictly warned them against adopting Gentile ways of giving honour and respect. We see here that Peter was learning.
As well, Peter took it one step at a time. He does not presume upon Cornelius’ answer. He patiently points out that what is happening in Cornelius’ house is, to both of them, something that breaks with the traditions that are usually in place between Jews and Gentiles.
They knew that they were engaged in an exchange that broke traditional rules of engagement between Jews and Roman centurions. Peter assumed Cornelius knew this and is totally “up front”. He tells Cornelius what he had been learning in recent days about the way God wants him to relate to people of other nations from then on. It is as if Peter said: “I’m here, Cornelius, because God has been teaching me matters I had not previously understood. Now you tell me why you sent for me!”
Cornelius obliges Peter. He too is under constraint by what he has been commanded in a vision. In effect Cornelius says: “That’s the vision I had. Now you tell me why I have called you here!”
When we compare this exchange with the one when the Sanhedrin warned the apostles, we can say that Peter and Cornelius were pioneers in giving new respect to each other, because of the peace pouring into their lives when God’s Spirit arranged for them to meet.
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