A Testament to God’s Inclusive Call
Acts 10:30–33 (NASB95)
30Cornelius said, “Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments, 31and he said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32‘Therefore send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.’ 33“So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
Acts 10:30–33 offers a succinct yet profound summary that encapsulates God’s gracious initiative toward those who earnestly seek Him. In this passage, Cornelius, a devout and God-fearing Gentile, recounts how his prayers and almsgiving were "remembered by God." His testimony, though brief, weaves together earlier revelations into a powerful affirmation: God notices and responds to sincere devotion, regardless of one’s cultural or circumstantial background. Luke’s summary here, typical of ancient rhetorical brevity, emphasizes that Cornelius’s experience was not an isolated miracle, but part of a larger divine tapestry. Notably, the description of the angel in “radiant apparel” and the language surrounding Cornelius’s petition echo familiar themes in Luke-Acts, reminding us of God’s consistent patterns of revelation, from Gabriel’s message to Zechariah in Luke 1:13 to the unfolding inclusion of the Gentiles. When Cornelius states that he received a command to send for Peter, we are reminded that every step of this process aligns with the explicit instructions left by Jesus for His disciples. This inclusive command reassures us that God’s salvation reaches beyond customary boundaries, affirming that genuine devotion is recognized and rewarded by Him.
Question for each of us today: are you, like Cornelius, ready to do all that God has commanded us to do? We can demonstrate our willingness by actively engaging in outreach and hospitality with humility and grace. In doing so, we honor Jesus’ directive to make disciples of all nations and open our hearts to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in every life.
Blessings,
Ryan Goodnight