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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadGreater Men and Women of the Bible by James Hastings: 624. The Meeting
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The Meeting
2. The description of the meeting of Peter and Cornelius is very graphic. Fully alive to the importance of the occasion, the centurion had gathered round him his kinsmen and near friends. And as the Apostle approached the outer gate of his quarters, he at once hastened to meet him, and falling down at his feet “worshipped” him. The word used does not necessarily point to religious worship, and may indicate only an act of profound homage; but that Peter felt the respect thus shown to him excessive is proved by his vigorous protest: “Stand up; I myself also am a man.” And then, in opposition to the traditional interpretation of the law forbidding intercourse with Gentiles, the Apostle entered the house along with Cornelius, and, in answer to the inquiry why he had been sent for, learned from the centurion's own lips the story of the Divine answer to his prayers, in accordance with which he had despatched his messengers to Joppa. “And thou hast well done,” so Cornelius courteously continued, “that thou art come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord.”
3. Peter's sermon is, on the whole, much like the other addresses of his which are abundantly reported in the early part of the Acts. The great business of the preachers then was to tell the history of Jesus. Christianity is, first, a recital of historical events, from which, no doubt, principles are deduced, and which necessarily lead on to doctrines; but the facts are first.
But the familiar story is told to Cornelius with some variation of tone. And it is prefaced by a great word which crystallizes the large truth that had sprung into consciousness and startling power in Peter, as the result of his own and Cornelius' experience. He had not previously thought of God as “a respecter of persons,” but the conviction that He was not never blazed with such sun-clearness before him as it did now. Jewish narrowness had, unconsciously to himself, somewhat clouded it; but these four days had burned in on him, as if it were a new truth, that “in every nation” there may be men accepted of God, because they “fear him and work righteousness.”
Having started with the statement of what he had come to “perceive” concerning the impartial love of the common Father for the people of all nations, the Apostle went on to preach Jesus to the centurion and his assembled friends as the One who was anointed of God with the Holy Spirit; who was clothed with miraculous powers and filled with tenderest compassion; who was slain and hanged on a tree (of which things he and others were witnesses); who charged His followers to announce Him to the world as the appointed Judge of all, and as the foretold Saviour through whose name every one that believeth may receive remission of sins.
4. Cornelius may have known little of the prophets, but he knew the burden of sin. He did not know all that we know of Jesus, and of the way in which forgiveness is connected with His work, but he did know now that it was connected, and that this Jesus was risen from the dead, and was to be the Judge. His faith went out to that Saviour, and as he heard he believed. Therefore the great gift, attesting the Divine acceptance of him and the rest of the hearers, came at once. There had been no confession of their faith, much less had there been baptism, or laying on of Apostolic hands. The sole qualification and condition for the reception of the Spirit which John lays down in his Gospel when he speaks of the “Spirit which they that believe on him should receive,” was present here, and it was enough. Peter and his brethren might have hesitated about baptizing an uncircumcised believer. The Lord of the Church showed Peter that He did not hesitate.
So, like a true disciple, Peter followed Christ's lead, and though “they of the circumcision” were struck with amazement, he said to himself, “Who am I, that I should withstand God?” and opened his heart to welcome these new converts as possessors of “like precious faith,” as was demonstrated by their possession of the same Spirit.
5. As he enters the portals of the Christian life Cornelius fades from our view; his form is lost in the crowd, and we see him no more. But he leaves behind him the impression of a man-brave, upright, generous, humble, courteous, a man who, because he was faithful to the light he had, received the crowning blessing.
Unheard by all but Angel ears
The good Cornelius knelt alone,
Nor dream'd his prayers and tears
Would help a world undone.
The while upon his terraced roof
The loved Apostle to his Lord
In silent thought aloof
For heavenly vision soar'd.
Far o'er the glowing western main
His wistful brow was upward raised,
Where, like an Angel's train,
The burnish'd water blazed.
The saint beside the ocean pray'd,
The soldier in his chosen bower,
Where all his eye survey'd
Seem'd sacred in that hour.
To each unknown his brother's prayer
Yet brethren true in dearest love
Were they-and now they share
Fraternal joys above.
There daily through Christ's open gate
They see the Gentile spirits press,
Brightening their high estate
With dearer happiness.
What civic wreath for comrades saved
Shone ever with such deathless gleam,
Or when did perils braved
So sweet to veterans seem?1 [Note: J, Keble, The Christian Year (Monday in Easter Week).]