The Book of Acts: The Gospel to the Romans?

This week’s devotional was written by J.D. Walt and is entitled The Sunning Power of Simple Obedience. J. D Walt is the Executive Director of seedbed.com. We hope this devotion encourages you this week.

ACTS 10:24–38 (NIV)

The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

CONSIDER THIS

This is a scene of extraordinary significance. The future of the Christian faith is being worked out before our eyes under the roof of a man named Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and commander of the Italian regiment. Cornelius had no idea of the magnitude of what was unfolding. He was practicing simple obedience. He was not a theologian, a preacher, or otherwise employed by the religious establishment. He had a day job. He was a military man, a soldier, a man of faith to be sure, but he fit the category of almost every other person who ever lived: a layperson. No, he wasn’t “just a layperson,” as laypeople are so often guilty of sheepishly labeling themselves. He was a bona fide layperson who took his faith seriously. He was a man of prayer and a generous giver. He didn’t command the respect of others. From all we can tell he earned it. This scene at his house unveils the deeper character of this character. It is a picture of the stunning power of simple obedience; of readiness, openness, and willingness in the presence of God. 

Cornelius was ready. Having no real idea of what this whole thing was even about—Cornelius deployed three of his employees for three days. 

Cornelius was open. Having no real idea of what this whole thing was even about— Cornelius marshaled his significant standing and influence, gathered a large crowd of his family and friends, and incited their faith to anticipate what God might be up to. 

Cornelius was willing. Having no real idea of what this whole thing was even about—Cornelius, by his simple obedience, set the stage for the simple obedience of everyone else gathered. Don’t you love how his willingness opened the door for Peter to bear witness to a room of strangers who had no idea who he was? 

“Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

Do you know who Cornelius reminds me of? 

He reminds me of you. 

Our churches are filled with people who mistakenly thought they were on a cruise. We are aboard a vessel somewhere between a battleship and an ark. There are many, many oars. You are one of the faithful who have found an oar. Far from a rider on this ship, you are a rower. You are ready. You are open. You are willing. And did you catch the serendipity of the first letters of those three words?

Ready. Open. Willing. 

R.O.W. 

You are a rower in the tradition of Cornelius. You are a work in progress, a developing portrait of the stunning power of simple obedience. May your tribe increase. Great awakening rides on the rails of souls like you. 

THE PRAYER OF TRANSFORMATION

Lord Jesus, I am your witness. 

I receive your righteousness and release my sinfulness.
I receive your wholeness and release my brokenness.
I receive your fullness and release my emptiness.
I receive your peace and release my anxiety.
I receive your joy and release my despair.
I receive your healing and release my sickness. 
I receive your love and release my selfishness. 

Come Holy Spirit transform my heart, mind, soul, and strength so that my consecration becomes your demonstration; that our lives become your sanctuary. For the glory of God our Father, amen.

THE QUESTION

Ready? Open? Willing? How are you growing in these ways before our Lord? What do you admire about Cornelius? Who does he remind you of in your history? In your present life?