The Specter Of Cornelius, Pre-Christ.

So Peter went down to the men and said, “Here I am, the person you’re looking for. Why have you come?” They said, “Cornelius the centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man, well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and to hear a message from you.” So Peter invited them in and entertained them as guests. On the next day he got up and set out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. The following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting anxiously for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. So when Peter came in, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him. But Peter helped him up, saying, “Stand up. I too am a mere mortal.” (Acts 10:21-26)

Prior to conversion, Cornelius held certain character qualities that seemed to be Christian. He was a respected leader, he was righteous, he feared God, he prayed, and he was loved by the people of God.

Prior to preaching the gospel of salvation to Cornelius and his family, Peter gave Cornelius a “mini-sermon” before the sermon: “Cornelius, get up. Your worship is misdirected. I am a man just like you; there is no need for you to be falling at my feet.”

In this past Sunday’s sermon Pastor Sam shared with us (paraphrased here) that God does a radical and transformative work in us to change us: it is the work that changes a Cornelius.

The Cornelius spirit is perhaps the hardest to transform, because on the surface it appears that no transformation is necessary. The Cornelius spirit is found in our nice friends who never curse, who come to church when we invite them, who support every initiative with encouraging words and financial support… but they have not yet submitted themselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. And, until they submit themselves to Him, they are lost.

God, in His mercy, directed Cornelius to one man who would bring a saving word by the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter was faithful in delivering the word. Cornelius and his household experienced salvation.

Has God sent you to save a Cornelius? Or, are you a Cornelius?