Acts 10:1-6
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.
Reflection
Cornelius was not a Jew. He was a worshipper of the one true God but he had not officially converted to Judaism. Cornelius and people like him were called “God fearers.” However, according to most practicing Jews Cornelius was outside of God’s favor. He was not one of the chosen.
That is interesting because it is clear in this passage that God was sending Cornelius the message that he was favored and that he was chosen. God always works outside the boundaries that we humans create and try to use to keep God predictable and safe. The only boundaries that God adheres to are the boundaries that he as set for himself.
Through Jesus Christ God was doing something new. God was reaching out to those people who were known as Gentiles. Gentiles can be defined as anyone who is not a Jew. It blew a lot of people’s minds but God was offering all people, all nations, his salvation through Jesus Christ.
