“1 There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment. 2 He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the Jewish people and always prayed to God. 3 About three in the afternoon he distinctly saw in a vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, “Cornelius!”

4 Looking intently at him, he became afraid and said, “What is it, lord?”

The angel told him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”

7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, he called two of his household slaves and a devout soldier, who was one of those who attended him. 8 After explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.”

Acts 10:1-8

—

Cornelius stands in stark contrast with Simon the sorcerer from chapter 8. When Philip met Simon, he was “Mr. Important” in his town and in the region. He was used to people treating him with fear, honor and respect. He seemed to wield a power that they could not, and so he stood above them, enjoying the spotlight and generally getting to do and be whatever it was that he wanted to do and be. He desired that position, that perception of authority and power, and so he always had to maintain a certain image, live a certain lifestyle and parade himself around doing what seemed to be impressive things so that people would continue to reverence and respect him. He was trapped in his own image, thinking he had power, but really subject to the whims of the people whose ‘respect’ kept him in that position within their community. 

Cornelius, the the other hand, was a Centurion in the Roman military. He had command of a group of 80-100 men who actually did have to answer to him. He had to earn his position through service and experience, gaining promotions and increasing his rank. He was a man that, by position alone, would have been respected by people. He didn’t have to fake it. He actually was in charge. There was no show or façade to maintain. He could tell people what to do and how to do it. He could give orders, lay out expectations and people had to listen to him and do what he said. There was no need to create a false importance for himself. By human standards, He was one in actual authority.

But there was something else different about Cornelius. He didn’t see God as a tool for advancement. Simon apparently did, he wanted the Holy Spirit so that he could do the same works the Apostles did, continuing his charade. Cornelius was a God-fearer, a proselyte, seeking a relationship with God and supporting His people. Cornelius was a man with authority who recognized the Greater Authority over himself, and who didn’t then think too highly of himself. He understood power and authority because he had it himself and knew that he was not the end-all be-all, that role properly belonged to God. And so he lived accordingly. 

When we meet people who have authority and weild power over others, and who actively understand what humility means, those are the people that we truly respect and want to serve alongside of in life. Cornelius didn’t let his authority go to his head. He wasn’t on some perpeutal ego trip. He led well and he followed well, too. 

As we GoLove people for the sake of Christ, we need to have that same understanding. We do wield an authority that is bigger than us when we carry the Gospel message. We are the standard bearers for the truth of God and have been entrusted with something of eternal significance. We have stewardship in the authority of Jesus Christ, each of us serving in the ways that we have been gifted by the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus told us plainly in Matthew 28 that all authority in heaven and on earth had been given to Him. He then told us to go in His Name with His message & that is no small thing. 

Sometimes I wonder if the church isn’t as effective as she could be because she doesn’t truly recognize the power that has been given to her in Christ. She isn’t respecting the authority over her and that has been imparted to her. We live timid lives, not authoritative lives. We are afraid to speak up, we tend more toward ineffectiveness and apathy in the West rather than being bold and standing for what is right. We have the truth, we have been sent with and in the power of God Himself. We cannot afford to think too little of that power, or to trust too little in the authority of Jesus Christ over us. His grace is so great and His power is so marvelous. Trust in Him. Be encouraged by Him & GoLove as you have been loved.