An Angel Visits Cornelius
By Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Rains | May 5, 2024
Turn your Bibles to Acts chapter 10. Today, we’ll focus on verses 1-8, 22, and 30-33 for our message, "An Angel Visits Cornelius," part of our series on angelic encounters—perhaps the 13th or 14th. Let’s pray: Father, thank You for this Lord’s Day and for Doug and Michelle’s bold step in believer’s baptism, setting an example. May all trust Christ and follow in baptism. We celebrate Roger and Joyce’s 25+ years of faithfulness at Mission Baptist Church, a blessing to this unworthy pastor. Glorify Yourself, save the lost, and inspire us today, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Acts 10 introduces Cornelius, a certain man in Caesarea…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. At the ninth hour, he saw in a vision…an angel of God saying, Cornelius…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. Cornelius obeyed, sending servants to fetch Peter, who later confirmed, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Meanwhile, God prepared Peter with a vision of a sheet, saying, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common, opening salvation to Gentiles like Cornelius.
God Is Omniscient
First, this story reveals God’s omniscience—His perfect knowledge of all things. God knew everything about Cornelius: his name, his role as a centurion over 100 men, his devoutness, and his generosity—which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. Yet, God also knew Cornelius wasn’t saved, despite his piety. Cornelius thought he was right with God, but God saw deeper—a heart longing to know Him. Likewise, God knew Peter’s every detail: his name, location at Simon the tanner’s house, even his reaction to the vision. God’s omniscience is both fearful—we can’t hide sin—and wonderful, for He sees our hearts’ desires and sends guidance, as He did for Cornelius, to lead us to salvation.
God’s Orders Are Clear
Second, God’s orders are crystal clear. The angel told Cornelius, Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon…he shall speak unto thee. Simple, direct instructions for a lost man to find salvation. To the unsaved, God says, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved (Acts 16:31), For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16), and Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13). For believers, it’s Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel…baptizing them (Matthew 28:19-20) and Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25). Why didn’t the angel save Cornelius directly? That’s our job—God entrusts us, not angels, to share the gospel.
Our Obedience Is Expected
Lastly, obedience is required. The wonder of this story isn’t the angel’s radiance but Cornelius’ response. When told, Send men to Joppa, he didn’t hesitate or excuse his religiosity—immediately therefore I sent to thee. He gathered his household, awaited Peter, listened, and obeyed the gospel, receiving salvation. God isn’t impressed by our excuses or religion, only our obedience. Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish (Luke 13:3) calls the lost to act. For believers, it’s trusting and obeying in service. As the hymn says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus.” Cornelius’ obedience led to eternal life—ours can too.
