A Dad Worth Emulating!

Acts 10:1-2-There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.

Cornelius has always been a fascinating individual to me, and if you have followed me for any length of time, you will find him mentioned in several of my blogs. As a matter of fact, I was so impressed with Cornelius’ life that it caused me to want to marry a man who was a giver. As we celebrate fathers, I want to highlight Cornelius, the Italian centurion who caught God’s attention!

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.

_{Acts 10:1-2 NKJV}

Cornelius is described as a centurion in the Italian regiment, meaning he is a Gentile. But Cornelius was not an ordinary centurion, he feared God. Not the gods of his ancestry, but the true and living God. We are not told how he came to know God just that he feared God. It kind of reminds me of what Jesus said:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.

_{Matthew 5: 6 NKJV}

Italians were Romans, so I am sure that Cornelius was introduced to the multitude of gods that the Romans worshipped. Yet, somehow he discovered that there was only one true God and devoted his life to Him! Keener suggests that Cornelius was a sympathizer of Judaism, but possibly did not worship at the temple. He also argues that Cornelius was probably involved in cultic worship to the emperor, but allowed private worship of a god. Whatever caused his unwavering devotion, it shows that no matter our background, when we hunger and thirst for God, He reveals Himself to us!

Not only did Cornelius serve and fear God, but his entire household feared God. According to Roman tradition, Cornelius would not have been permitted to marry. He would have been allowed to have a concubine, but not a wife. However, he was devoted to God, so I assume that Cornelius had a wife, not a concubine. It’s impressive to see that his worship of God was reflected in his whole house because Luke wrote that his entire household (servants included) feared God. Sounds like he may have heard the words of Joshua:

“Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

_{Joshua 24:14-15 NKJV}

As a centurion, Cornelius was a man of influence who used it to lead others to the Lord. A good father knows it isn’t enough to send his kids to church, he must also attend church. It’s sufficient to tell them to read the Bible, he reads it with them! He leads by example in every area of life, causing his family to willingly follow him. I’m sure you have noticed how much I appreciate and respect my husband as the leader of our home. Having said that, it was very important to him to be at home and to lead our daughters into genuine worship and service to God. As young adults, they have chosen Jesus and have their own personal relationship with Him. They also actively serve Him! Fathers reproduce what they model in the home.

Cornelius was a giver. Alms refers to having compassion for others and meeting their needs. Cornelius took care of the people around him. We don’t know in what manner, but we know he was generous. He had the means to bless others and so he did. Good fathers are not only concerned about their families, they are also concerned about others. Many people see me as a giver, and the Lord knows I want to be seen in that manner. However, what they don’t know that I do know is that my husband initiates or supports my giving. I never just say, I’m going to do such and such. I run it by him, and there have been times when he has increased what I was thinking. As a result, the whole family believes in giving to others and our church!

Cornelius was a praying man. Luke wrote that he was always praying! He was doing all of these things and he hadn’t yet experienced Jesus! But these things got God’s attention. God saw something in Cornelius that was sincere, and although he was a Gentile, his devotion, his giving, and his prayer life caught God’s attention!

And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” 

_{Acts 10:4-6 NKJV}

Cornelius had a vision! He heard from God! Theologically, we recognize that this was a divinely inspired moment. First, it was symbolic, God opening His arms to bring the Gentiles into the fold. And secondly, it was a response to Cornelius’ giving and praying. Cornelius immediately calls the angel, Lord, recognizing he heard from God! Good fathers need to be able to hear from God, to recognize His voice!

In the vision, God gave him specific instructions to seek out Peter, who also had a vision where he received instructions about the Gentiles. Cornelius gets instructions from the Lord and immediately obeys them. Obedience to God’s word is a sign that a father is submitted to the Lordship of Jesus. As leader and head of the home, a dad needs to be able to hear from God, recognize His voice, and obey it!

And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.

_{Acts 10:24 NKJV}

Again, we see Cornelius’ selfless actions. While waiting for Peter to arrive, he called family and close friends to come and hear this message from God. They trusted him enough to believe that he had truly heard from God. When Peter arrived they were ready. While he was teaching, the Holy Spirit fell on them. All of them! It is definitely apparent that Cornelius was more than a proselyte or sympathizer. He and his family had become believers and God wanted them to understand Jesus and the power of His resurrection!

Cornelius’ example is worth emulating. He was a praying man, something every father should want to be. He was a generous and compassionate man. He not only cared about his family, he cared about others. He was a devout and God-fearing man. And lastly, he was concerned about the spiritual warfare of his family and friends. These are qualities that every godly father should desire to have! Cornelius is a New Testament example of the father God expects to lead in His kingdom! And I believe that many fathers in the church are well on their way in leading their families in the kingdom of God! It is to each of you, and those who are still learning, that I wish a very happy Father’s day! Keep living for God, serving Him, and caring for the people He puts in your paths; especially your families! And one day, you may have a supernatural encounter with the Father who will say to you that He has seen your alms and heard your prayers! Wonderful Jesus!