Centurion, first Gentile convert to Christianity
Cornelius
Named in 10 verses of Acts, first in Acts 10:1.
ΚορνήλιοςCornelius
The name means “of a horn.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Cornelius Written by AI
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 to 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 to 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 to 16). When Peter arrived at Cornelius' house, Cornelius gathered his relatives and close friends to hear Peter's message (Acts 10:24 to 27). As Peter shared the gospel, the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentile listeners, confirming that God had accepted them (Acts 10:44 to 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 to 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.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
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. His residence at Caesrea probably brought him into contact with Jews who communicated to him their expectations regarding the Messiah; and thus he was prepared to welcome the message Peter brought him. He became the first fruit of the Gentile world to Christ. He and his family were baptized and admitted into the Christian church (Acts 10:1, 44-48). (See CENTURION.)
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Acts 10:1
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was called the Italian Regiment.
- Acts 10:3
One day at about the ninth hour, he had a clear vision of an angel of God who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
- Acts 10:7
When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among his attendants.
- Acts 10:17
While Peter was puzzling over the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found Simon’s house and approached the gate.
- Acts 10:21
So Peter went down to the men and said, “Here am I, the one you are looking for. Why have you come?”
- Acts 10:22
“Cornelius the centurion has sent us,” they said. “He is a righteous and God-fearing man with a good reputation among the whole Jewish nation. A holy angel instructed him to request your presence in his home so he could hear a message from you.”
- Acts 10:24
The following day he arrived in Caesarea, where Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
- Acts 10:25
As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet to worship him.
- Acts 10:30
Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this, the ninth hour. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me
- Acts 10:31
and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been remembered before God.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.