Centurion Calls for (a fisherman)

   Continued from Friday

3.   Roman centurions were military officers, not likely Christians. But "Cornelius and his family were God-fearing. He gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly." - Acts. 10:2.    

     He had a vision, distinctly seeing an angel who said, "Cornelius!" The centurion stared in fear. "What is it, Lord?" 

     "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now, send some men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter." 

     The next day, the Spirit told Peter there were three men downstairs, which God had sent. They told Peter they were from Cornelius the centurion, "a God-fearing man respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told (Cornelius) to have you come to his house so he could hear what you have to say."       

     Two days later "Cornelius met Peter at the door and fell at his feet in reverence." Peter said, "Stand up. I am only a man myself." To relatives and friends of the centurion, Peter said, 

"I now realize how true it is that God does not show 

favoritism but accepts men from 

every nation who fears him and who do what is right."

     "You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all."  

     "While Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit came on all... The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had poured out even on the Gentiles."

The full text in Acts chapter 10. Tuesday, story 4.