Bible Characters · Early Church

Cornelius

The devout centurion of Caesarea whose prayers and alms rose before God, who sent for Peter at an angel's word, and in whose house the Holy Spirit fell on Gentiles for the first time.

Early Church10 references in 1 bookIn theological review

The facts, as Scripture gives them

Lived
Dates not given in Scripture.
Region
Caesarea. (Acts 10:1)
Work
A centurion of the Italian Cohort. (Acts 10:1)
Standing
Devout and God-fearing, he and all his household; he gave generously to the people and prayed to God regularly. (Acts 10:2)

Key verses

He and all his household were devout and God-fearing. He gave generously to the people and prayed to God regularly.

Acts 10:2 (BSB)

When they heard this, they had no further objections, and they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”

Acts 11:18 (BSB)

What they did

  • At the ninth hour of prayer saw an angel of God, who told him his prayers and alms had come up as a memorial before God. (Acts 10:2-4)
  • Sent two servants and a devout soldier to Joppa for Simon Peter, as the angel directed. (Acts 10:5-8)
  • Gathered his relatives and close friends, fell at Peter's feet, and explained why he had sent for him. (Acts 10:24-33)
  • Heard Peter preach Jesus, and while he was still speaking the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard, and they were baptised in water. (Acts 10:43-48)
  • His case was the church's proof at Jerusalem: God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life. (Acts 11:18)

Family

Household
His relatives and close friends, gathered to hear Peter (Acts 10:24)

Connected to

  • Peter: The apostle sent to him, who preached in his house and baptised his household (Acts 10:24-48)

Mentioned in

Acts.

Every reference (10)

Acts 10:1 · Acts 10:3 · Acts 10:7 · Acts 10:17 · Acts 10:21 · Acts 10:22 · Acts 10:24 · Acts 10:25 · Acts 10:30 · Acts 10:31

Review status: in-theological-review. Every Contend profile passes a human theological review against the Statement of Faith before it is published as approved teaching. This profile is in that queue. Sources: Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain), verified verse by verse. Name and reference data: STEP Bible (TIPNR), Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0.