Cornelius shares why he sent for Peter.

Acts 10:30-33

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“So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.” Acts 10:30-33

In the previous post on Acts 10:24-29, Peter asks Cornelius, “…what reason have you sent for me?” In today’s culture, after years of living for Jesus Christ, when someone wants/wanted to see me, I never know/knew what the encounter might bring. Many can relate–At the workplace, would it be a job performance issue or customer complaint? In school, would it be a “fitting in” issue? In the home, would it be parental or spousal issue? In community settings, would it be a conflict of values? Worst yet, if the reason was outright sinister from those who seek to afflict, persecute, jail, and even kill a Christian. Our Lord Jesus says, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you…” Matthew 10:16-17

Cornelius had a good motive for wanting to see Peter, as described below.

“So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing…” Acts 10:30

For four days Cornelius was fasting, until the arrival of Peter. How wonderful that would be to hear, that someone was devoted in prayer to God in their anticipation of greeting a follower of Jesus Christ. What’s the chances of that happening in today’s atheistic culture? Cornelius, the Roman Centurion, testified to seeing an angle of the Lord. That would be very comforting to hear the person who sent for us speaking of Heavenly beings and expressing their faith in God in that way.

“…and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.” Acts 10:31 

Cornelius spoke of the angel of the Lord saying his prayers had been heard and his charitable giving was remembered in the eyes of God. “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10 How refreshing that would be, to hear someone speak of meeting a Christian as being an answer to prayer. On top of that, being someone with a desire to help those living for Jesus Christ.

“Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.” Acts 10:32-33

Cornelius testified to following the instructions of the Angel of the Lord to send for Peter. He also gathered a group of his close friends and relatives to hear the word of God given to Peter to speak to them. For a Chrisitan to hear someone say that would be very good news. To hear someone say they sought us out to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And with that, they gathered their most trusted people to hear the testimony of Jesus Christ.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11