ACCEPTABLE TO GOD - PART 8

WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2024

From my in-depth study, I concluded that in Caesarea, the man known as Cornelius, who was a centurion of the band called the Italian band, was indeed, a devout man; one that feared God with all his household, and gave much alms to the people, praying to God always.

I equally understood by divine discernment that he sustained the company of rich class, yet he was unwearied and conscious of accomplishing manifold good works, having followed after the footsteps of the godly.

Reference: Acts 10:34-35 New Living Translation (NLT)

'So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to Him."'

Proverbs 8:13 (ESV) reads, "The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil..." Even though I think highly or loftily of Cornelius' office as a Roman Centurion and a member of the Italian band unit called the Italian Cohort, his position didn't actually move God. What actuated God to move in his life were four major things, namely:

1. He was a devout man (denoting that he was dedicated to spiritual and solemn duties and practices). In a nutshell, his model of rectitude was noteworthy, sound, sublime, and absolutely dignified with strong moral excellence and principles.

2. He was a God-fearing fellow (signifying that he genuinely honoured God in his heart, with a sense of awe, reverence and steadfast loyalty, and it reflected in his dealings with men). In a nutshell, Cornelius sustained a formidable desire to function in a harmonious blend with God's righteous standard.

3. He gave much alms to the people (indicating that he was a big-hearted personality, such that he consistently and generously gave to the poor and needy). In a nutshell, his munificent benefaction in the form of almsgiving was rampant in nature.

4. He prayed regularly to God (which was a prayer lifestyle characterised by or expressive of "praying without ceasing"). In a nutshell, he practised constant prayer to God with a continual effective capability.

In my conclusive analysis denoting Cornelius' behavioural manifestations, the honour that accompanies the fear of God was what Cornelius graciously experienced. Beyond measure, he was a "candidate" of God's honourable notability in the esteemed realm of virtuous integrity - due to his genuine hatred for evil practices. In other words, although he was a monumental centurion of the Italian Regiment or cohort, he wilfully refused to participate in the apposite ungodly doings - in his day.

Beloved, the fear of God is the highest function that any living creature can discharge. It attracts the activities of ministering angels in a profound and profitable manner, especially the angel of service. Hence, by virtue of the power of God, the angel of service exercised God's honour over Cornelius and his entire family, by visiting him in a vision. So what is it about the nature of his vision?

Now watch this: About three o'clock one afternoon, Cornelius had a vision of a messenger of God, and below is the brief dialogue:

Messenger of God: Cornelius!

Cornelius (terrified): What is it, sir?

Messenger of God: God has heard your prayers, and He has seen your kindness to the poor. God has taken notice of you. Send men south to Joppa, to the house of a tanner named Simon. Ask to speak to a guest of his named Simon, but also called Peter. You'll find this house near the waterfront (see Acts 10:3-6 VOICE).

Who attended to Cornelius in the vision? An angel of service, which was the reason the above translation used the term "Messenger of God." Messenger is the literal rendering of the term "Angel of service" because angels of service are divine representatives and message-bearers on a special mission for God, and often in a graceful way, they are His outright messengers to us. Informatively, the accurate modern Greek phraseology for "Messenger of God" is angelioforos, which is significantly indicative of the compound word, "message-bearer." Got it?

Again who conveyed the divine message to Cornelius in his vision? Angel of service. Why so? He was about to inherit salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit, which he didn't have yet at that point. Hebrews 1:14 (BLB) informs us that angels of service are ministering spirits, sent for service for the sake of those being about to inherit salvation.

Through an intermediary or linkman necessity between God and Cornelius, Simon Peter, the man with the Holy Spirit would soon visit Cornelius' house, and the gift of the Holy Spirit would soon be poured out on the Gentiles. Stay tuned for part 9. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Daniel 6:22; 1 Kings 19:5-7; Luke 1:13; 2 Kings 6:16-17.

Guided Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I honour and adore you today for the angels of service, whom you have entrusted with your "courier service" perfections and quality care - for my sake. As they continually minister to me, I'm greatly empowered to keep fulfilling the eternal purpose of your unconditional love, which is your banner over my life, in Jesus' Name, Amen!