Acts 10:24-48

 Acts 10:24-48

You would be hard-pressed to find a more “Roman” Roman than Cornelius. His name was distinctly Roman. He was a soldier, part of the Italian Cohort, a unit made up not of foreign volunteers or conscripts but of Romans. He was likely part of an outfit called the “Thundering Legion.”. And he was a centurion, the backbone of the Roman army. But he had apparently found the faith system of Rome inadequate. He was not yet a convert to Judaism, still being considered a gentile, and at this point not yet circumcised. Having rejected idols but not a Jew, he was a man between faiths. 

It is interesting to notice how important good deeds are in this conversation conversion. In verse 4 the angel mentions alms or acts of charity. This is also mentioned in verse 31 as Cornelius introduces himself to Peter. In describing the life and ministry of Jesus, Peter says, “You know of Jesus of Nazareth how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power and how he went about doing good.”. Never let there be a doubt that we are saved by grace. All the good deeds in the world cannot save us from our sins. However, we must avoid the false reaction to discount the value and power of good deeds and acts of kindness. 

There appears to be a link between a tender heart that is moved to acts of kindness and a heart that is responsive to God. A heart that is selfish and closed to the needs of others may also be a heart that will be hardened toward God. That doesn’t mean selfish people can’t be convicted by the work of the Holy Spirit or that they must become generous before they can be converted. What it does mean is the way we respond to human need can and likely does reflect the heart’s response to God.

We are saved by grace through faith for good works. The acting out of those goods works can effect a tenderization of the heart. 

"Lord, may I have a heart filled with compassion, ready to do good to all men as You give me the opportunity and the ability. AMEN"