Cornelius

Good morning sisters and brothers,
This passage begins one of my favorite chapters in the book of Acts. The tenth chapter tells the story of the first gentile convert to Christianity, an officer named Cornelius. We learn in this passage that Cornelius was generous and a worshiper of God. In this period many former pagans became drawn to the Jewish religion and the God they worshiped. Some eventually converted to Judaism, undergoing ritual circumcision as part of the process. At this point Cornelius is what was called a "God-fearer." He went to synagogue and prayed to God, but had not converted. As he's praying one day an angel from God appears and a new adventure for Cornelius and for the church begins. I pray God would keep leading us to welcome new people into the community.

God bless,
Sam

Acts 10:1-9

In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. 2He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. 3One afternoon at about three o”clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.” 4He stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” He answered, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; 6he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.” 7When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, 8and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.