Description
Cornelius and Peter
I sat in the ruins of the hippodrome in the ancient city of Caesarea in modern-day Israel, looking out into the beautiful blue of the Mediterranean Sea as I listened to a gifted teacher relate a powerful story.
In that city, nearly 2000 years ago, a man named Cornelius, a Roman centurion, experienced a vision from God. “Thy prayers are heard,” the angel said, “Now send men to Joppa and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter….He shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.”
Cornelius responded immediately and from Caesarea sent three of his most trusted men to Joppa to fetch Peter.
The next day, about noon, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became very hungry and asked for food. While they were preparing it a vision was opened to Peter in which he saw a great sheet let down from heaven full of all manner of beasts. A voice said to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat. But Peter said, not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, what God hath cleansed, that call thou not common.” This vision was repeated three times, and Peter had no idea what it meant.
Just then the servants of Cornelius came to the door, and the Spirit whispered to Peter that he was to go with them for the Lord had sent them.
The next day at Caeserea, Peter walked in to meet Cornelius, and Cornelius fell down and worshiped him. “But Peter took him up, saying, stand up; I myself also am a man.”
Peter then explained to the assembled crowd of gentiles that as a Jew it was unlawful for him to keep company with them, but as God had instructed, he was not to judge any man as common or unclean. “I ask therefore,” Peter said, “For what ye have sent for me.”
Cornelius related his vision and suddenly Peter understood his–that the world was about to change.
“Of a truth,” he said, “I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness is accepted of him.”
To that, point the blessings of the Gospel had been only for Abraham’s children—the lost sheep of the House of Israel, but it was a new day and new age.
Peter then taught them of Jesus and the first principles of the restored Gospel of Christ, and while he yet spake, the Holy Ghost fell upon them and they were converted and baptized—the first Christians not of Israel. That day changed the world forever.
As I sat there, it struck me in the heart with great power that it started here in the small coastal city of Caesarea in the tiny nation of Israel. And from here, the gospel of Jesus Christ crossed the Mediterranean and went forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Until it reached the ears of this heathen gentile boy of 18, in Idaho, 2000 years later. In recognition of the place, the moment, and the history, the men in our company came together, right there on the shores of the Mediterranean, and sang “Ye Elders of Israel”.
