Cornelius was not even an Israelite but received a powerful encounter.

Acts 10 reveals some things to us about his person and lifestyle.

Acts 10: 1-8

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

He feared God with his whole family. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. From Genesis to Revelation, the scriptures tell of the blessings that are released upon those who fear the LORD.

Generosity was his middle name. He constantly helped the needy. That alone touches the heart of God. Proverbs tells us that he that gives to the poor lends to his Creator and the Lord will reward and repay with blessings.

Acts 10:30-32

30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

He made a habit of fasting and prayer – a powerful combination that facilitates encounters. It was during one of his fasts and prayer sessions that an angel appeared to him and gave him a message. What the angel said is very instructive.

…Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.  And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:  He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

He didn’t even know Jesus yet, and neither was he praying in His name but God saw Cornelius’ heart posture, how he sincerely sought to know Him and worship Him and He revealed Himself to him.

There are deeper dimensions of God’s love, power, and plan for our lives that can be revealed to us.

Humility is noticeable in Cornelius. He was a high-ranking soldier with soldiers and servants at his beck and call yet he had a hungry heart that constantly sought God even when he had the comforts of life. Indeed, a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. There is a higher quality of life that goes beyond having material and financial prosperity. Riches and power have a way of making people arrogant and indifferent to the things of God but Cornelius was different. When Peter arrived, he and his entire household were already waiting expectantly and he humbly welcomed God’s servant, and did not look down on Peter who once said “Silver and gold have I none, but that which I have give I unto you”. His humility is remarkable, and worthy of emulation.

Consistency characterized Cornelius. He maintained his consecration. He did not embark on fasting and prayer simply because he wanted an angelic encounter. He gave to the poor and feared God with his family. He kept at it as a lifestyle. The Lord saw His consistency and decided to reveal Himself to Him.

His prompt obedience to the angel should not be missed! He immediately sent a team to go and bring Peter over to His place. If the angel had told him to go over to Joppa himself, he would have left immediately. He did not hesitate or investigate who Simon was. He simply and promptly obeyed. How we need to have such a heart! Little wonder, when Peter arrived, and was still speaking, the HolySpirit filled Cornelius and his household, what a mighty blessing! Even Peter was astonished at such visitation!

May our lives always give glory to God, bless humanity, and be a holy preparation for eternity with Jesus!

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God bless you tremendously!

Your brother,

Idowu Omisore