Acts 10:1-2 NIV

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

Chapter ten now takes us to the city of Caesarea. Caesarea was a large city that was located on the coast of the Sea of Galilee. It was a town of overrun by the Romans…the Gentiles. It was a town of great education as you would find storerooms, markets, wide roads, baths, temples to Rome and Augustus, and other public buildings. Every five years the city hosted major sports competitions, gladiator games, and theatrical productions.

Caesarea was the home of a Roman Centurion named Cornelius. Cornelius, as a centurion, was a leader of a regiment of Roman soldiers. He was a man among men…a leader among his own people. However, what we see him being known for is not his great battle advancements or his skill with the sword. What he is recognized for in this text is the fact that “he and all of his family were devout and God-fearing”.

What an example! Can that be said about us?

The scripture in this context defines what it means to be “devout and God-fearing” by declaring that Cornelius gave to those in need and a regular habit of prayer. My prayers and hopes are that we get a clear picture of what God’s desire is concerning His church. We have turned the pages on nine chapters and can you hear the sound of redundancy? Over and over again there is a resounding call to those that worship God and to those that fear Him…they take care of the poor, the broken, and the afflicted. I have preached this message over and over and yet I turn the pages to another chapter and I hear the redundant message of Jeremiah…

Jeremiah 22:16

He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy; then it was well. “Is not that what it means to know Me” Declares the Lord?

This will never be old news as long as it’s God’s heart and part of His mission. In nine chapters the only other theme that is louder is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Church is God’s answer to this world’s problems…if we would just be God-fearing and devout and steady in prayer. Prayer is important too! Up to this point, the only people getting visions of direction were the people of prayer. How can we hear God unless we pray? The scriptures here in Chapter Ten now infer that to not be a person of prayer is to not fear God. Maybe that is why we stay and stray away from the prayer closet…because we are scared to what we might find.