Pastor Ralph Posted August 11, 2021 Report Share Posted August 11, 2021 Q1. (Acts 10:2, 22) What do we learn about Cornelius’ character? Why do you think God chose to reveal himself to Cornelius, rather than the average pagan? Is he more worthy of salvation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krissi Posted November 5, 2021 Report Share Posted November 5, 2021 This is just fascinating. So, there were a group of "Jewish sympathizers" who were culturally Jews and may have held many Jewish theological beliefs, but were not full converts, most receptive to evangelistic outreach. It seems, then, that for some, faith in Christ may grow incrementally, that the ground of the soul was plowed and fertilized before being sown and reaped. (I wonder why Cornelius didn't convert to Judaism. What held him back?) Cornelius seems like a morally good Christian before he accepted Christ; he behaved before fully believing. But he was also a searcher -- a man who prayed -- not just a generous and kind person. (I know a few good secular people who may be Corneliuses waiting to hear the gospel, but I also know many kind and generous secular people who most definitely are not Cornelius-like, but are, instead, hostile to the point of belligerence.) Was he more worthy of salvation, you ask? No, of course not. No one is worthy. But Cornelius was prepared and readied for living a Christian life in alignment with Christian beliefs. In our everyday parlance, a missionary would describe Cornelius as "low hanging fruit." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob tyers Posted November 7, 2021 Report Share Posted November 7, 2021 Thanks for your comments Krissi. I am in total agreement thet their are many secular people today who are Cornelious like. Might it be that God chose him instead of other pagans not because he was better but because he was in a position to influence others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maleshoane Posted November 7, 2021 Report Share Posted November 7, 2021 On 8/11/2021 at 9:21 PM, Pastor Ralph said: Q1. (Acts 10:2, 22) What do we learn about Cornelius’ character? Why do you think God chose to reveal himself to Cornelius, rather than the average pagan? Is he more worthy of salvation? We learn that Cornelius feared God and was a devoted man of prayer. I think God chose him because of the humble character to know God more hence he spent time in prayer. No he was not more worthy of salvation, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debee Posted November 7, 2021 Report Share Posted November 7, 2021 He was seeking God! God says; you will find me when you seek me with all your heart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted November 9, 2021 Report Share Posted November 9, 2021 Q1. (Acts 10:2, 22) What do we learn about Cornelius' character? Cornelius was a 1, Devoured man; Fears God; Gives generously to the poor; well respected by the Jewish people Why do you think God chose to reveal himself to Cornelius, rather than the average pagan? Given his popularity, high military and professional standing couple with a reputable character, his conversion would attract followers. All these may be the reason. Is he more worthy of salvation? More worthy of salvation? I believe everyone is worthy of salvation by GRACE and not just because of good works or character. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted November 10, 2021 Report Share Posted November 10, 2021 Q1. We learn that Cornelius was a literate man, at least 30 years old, he had the ability to encourage good morale and to maintain discipline. He was seeking after God, and we are told in Acts 10v2. That Cornelius and his family were devout and God fearing. He also had a reputation of being generous to the needy. He also prayed regularly. Acts 10v 22 tells that he was a righteousness man , God fearing and was respected by the Jewish people. I think God revealed Himself to Cornelius because of his character. He was seeking God and he prayed constantly. He would be a good person to have on your side. He would get things done and yet he would do things and bring people with him. People would listen to him because they respected him. Cornelius was no more worthy of salvation than anyone else because we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Everyone no matter who they are must turn from sin and repent before God can forgive their sin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted November 11, 2021 Report Share Posted November 11, 2021 Q1. (Acts 10:2, 22) What do we learn about Cornelius' character? Why do you think God chose to reveal Himself to Cornelius, rather than the average pagan? Is he more worthy of salvation? Devout. God-fearing. Generous. Prays regularly. Righteous. Respected by the Jewish people. I think Cornelius, must have been brought up as a typical Roman believing in the gods of Jupiter, Augustus, Venus, Mars, etc. Yet he was a Gentile who loved the God of Israel, regularly praying to Him. He was one of the Gentiles who were sympathetic to and supportive of the Jewish faith, but stopped short of becoming a full Jew in lifestyle and in circumcision. I don’t think he was the average pagan; he already had a real relationship with God, and that is why our Lord chose to reveal Himself to Cornelius. No, He does not consider Cornelius to be more worthy of salvation, for with God there is no favouritism. He loves us all irrespective of race or ethnic group. As Peter was to learn “but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right” (10:34-35). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreilly Posted November 13, 2021 Report Share Posted November 13, 2021 On 11/7/2021 at 10:42 AM, Debee said: He was seeking God! God says; you will find me when you seek me with all your heart! Amen! That's exactly what I was going to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Jerry Posted April 21, 2022 Report Share Posted April 21, 2022 We learned that Cornelius was an upright man. I think the reason that God chose to reveal himself to Cornelius was because He knew that Cornelius was an upright man. If his heart is in the right place, then he is worthy of salvation but not any more than any other person with a heart for God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irmela Posted September 30, 2023 Report Share Posted September 30, 2023 Q1. (Acts 10:2, 22) What do we learn about Cornelius' character? Why do you think God chose to reveal Himself to Cornelius, rather than the average pagan? Is he more worthy of salvation? Cornelius was: devout, God-fearing, generous (gave alms to the poor) / not tight-fisted, prayed to God regularly, righteous, accepted (well-spoken of) by the Jews. In Luke 11:9 & 10 we read about asking, seeking, and knocking. This will not be in vain. Ask and it shall be given to you, Seek and you will find, Knock and it shall be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 & 8 records the same. Jesus promised that he who seeks Him will find Him. He honored what He said by then revealing Himself to Cornelius. None are worthy. It is all GRACE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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