Cornelius

Day 5, Feb 9th 2024

Text: ACTS 10, PHILIPPIANS 2: 6-7, 2 CORINTHIANS 5: 16

Introduction- Cornelius lived in Caesarea, was a Centurion and a Gentile with a kind heart. He gave alms to the poor and feared God. But God wanted him to accept Jesus into his heart through the help of the Holy Spirit. 

He saw a vision where an Angel instructed him to send for Simon Peter who was visiting his friend by the seaside about 30 miles away. 

Simon Peter was visiting his friend Simon the Tanner in Joppa. He fell into a trance where God spoke to him 3 times to Rise, Kill and Eat unclean animals/birds without discrimination.

He was born Jew and considered Gentiles unclean based on their culture and tradition.

Life Lessons:

1. No one should be considered as unclean, we all deserve to be accepted into God’s kingdom.

2. We all need to accept Jesus into our hearts in spite of our good deeds.

3. God in not an author of confusion.  He always confirms His word concerning us. He used the vision and trance in this case.

Life applications:

1. Stay Humble, Cornelius showed kindness to the poor even though he was a man in authority. 

Peter was reminded that it is not in his place to call anyone unclean. When he arrived Cornelius home, he immediately told him to please stand up, that he is a mere man like him.

2. Stay attentive to the Spirit of God. Cornelius and Peter saw a vision/ trance at different hours, 1 day apart that linked both of them. God is not an author of confusion and will send us divine revelations as needed.

3. The Holy Spirit was made manifest in their midst.  Peter just spoke the word and Cornelius accepted it. God took control of the atmosphere. They prayed in tongues and worshipped God. Peter asked about baptizing them and they immediately accepted. God makes His word to grow,  when His gospel is shared.

 LESSON OF THE DAY:

John 1:14, Matt 11:19

We are just vessels in His hands, to propagate His gospel without discrimination or labeling anyone. We are directed to build bridges, not walls. Jesus is the way, the truth and the Life. The only door to eternal life. The Lord will help us to continue to share the gospel to all mankind in Jesus Name.

Complied by: 

CHICHI NWAJEI