The BibleGospel Companion

Cornelius

Κορνήλιος · Kornēlios · G2883“of a horn” Hitchcock's 186910 mentions, all in Acts

Who he was

Cornelius was a Roman centurion stationed in Caesarea. He is described as a devout man who feared God, gave alms generously, and prayed regularly (Acts 10:1–2). Despite his piety, Cornelius was not a convert to Judaism.

In a vision, an angel instructed Cornelius to send for Peter, who was staying in Joppa (Acts 10:3–8). Meanwhile, Peter had a vision in which God revealed that he should not consider anything unclean that God had made clean, preparing him to accept Gentile believers (Acts 10:9–16).

When Peter arrived at Cornelius' house, Cornelius gathered his relatives and close friends to hear Peter's message (Acts 10:24–27). As Peter shared the gospel, the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentile listeners, confirming that God had accepted them (Acts 10:44–46). This event marked a significant turning point in the early church, as it demonstrated that the gospel was for both Jews and Gentiles.

Peter then ordered that Cornelius and the other believing Gentiles be baptized (Acts 10:47–48). The conversion of Cornelius and his household was a pivotal moment in the spread of Christianity, paving the way for the inclusion of Gentiles in the church.

Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Every mention

10 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)

Acts 10 mentions

Acts 10:1Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,Acts 10:3At about the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him and saying to him, “Cornelius!”Acts 10:7When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually.Acts 10:17Now while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before…Acts 10:21Peter went down to the men, and said, “Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why have you come?”Acts 10:22They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to…Acts 10:24On the next day they entered into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and his near friends.Acts 10:25When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet, and worshiped him.Acts 10:30Cornelius 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 clothingActs 10:31and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God.

What the dictionary says

A centurion whose history is narrated in Acts 10. He was a “devout man,” and like the centurion of Capernaum, believed in the God of Israel.

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
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Sources