10:1 There {1} was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian [band],
(1) Peter consecrates the first fruits of the Gentiles to God by the means of two miracles.
10:1 The Doors of the Kingdom Opened to the Gentiles
SUMMARY OF ACTS 10:
The Centurion Cornelius. His Vision. His Messengers Sent to Joppa. Peter's Vision the Next Day. Peter Directed to Go to Caesarea. Peter Preaches Christ to Cornelius and His Household. The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles. The Gentiles Baptized.
A certain man in Caesarea. Caesarea, at this time the chief seaport of Palestine and the Roman capital, was their military headquarters.
Cornelius, a centurion. Cornelius, a Gentile, a Roman officer, is one of four centurions named favorably in the New Testament: Julius (Ac 27:1-3), the centurion at the cross (Mt 27:54 Mr 15:39 Lu 23:47), and the centurion who built the synagogue at Capernaum (Lu 7:2). The office corresponded to the modern captain.
The Italian [band]. A cohort, composed of about 600 men. Many of the conquered races served in the Roman armies, but this cohort was made up of Italians. At the residence of the Roman procurator would be placed a body of troops on which he could rely.
10:1 And there was a certain man - The first fruits of the Gentiles, in Cesarea - Where Philip had been before, Acts 8:40; so that the doctrine of salvation by faith in Jesus was not unknown there. Cesarea was the seat of the civil government, as Jerusalem was of the ecclesiastical. It is observable, that the Gospel made its way first through the metropolitan cities. So it first seized Jerusalem and Cesarea: afterward Philippi, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, Rome itself. A centurion, or captain, of that called the Italian band - That is, troop or company.
10:1-8 Hitherto none had been baptized into the Christian church but Jews, Samaritans, and those converts who had been circumcised and observed the ceremonial law; but now the Gentiles were to be called to partake all the privileges of God's people, without first becoming Jews. Pure and undefiled religion is sometimes found where we least expect it. Wherever the fear of God rules in the heart, it will appear both in works of charity and of piety, neither will excuse from the other. Doubtless Cornelius had true faith in God's word, as far as he understood it, though not as yet clear faith in Christ. This was the work of the Spirit of God, through the mediation of Jesus, even before Cornelius knew him, as is the case with us all when we, who before were dead in sin, are made alive. Through Christ also his prayers and alms were accepted, which otherwise would have been rejected. Without dispute or delay Cornelius was obedient to the heavenly vision. In the affairs of our souls, let us not lose time.
