Cornelius

the centurion of Caesarea

Who was Cornelius?

He was a centurion, an officer of the Roman army, in Caesarea. Acts 10:1
He and his whole household feared God. He gave generous alms and prayed constantly. Acts 10:2
Peter ordered him and his household to be baptized, even though they were not Jews. Acts 10:28, 47-48

Occupation: Centurion of the Cohort called the Italica Acts 10:1

What the Bible says

Acts 10:1

And there was a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion of that which is called the Italian band;

Acts 10:2

A religious man, and fearing God with all his house, giving much alms to the people, and always praying to God.

Acts 10:28, 47-48

²⁸And he said to them: You know how abominable it is for a man that is a Jew, to keep company or to come unto one of another nation: but God hath shewed to me, to call no man common or unclean. ⁴⁷Then Peter answered: Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we? ⁴⁸And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they desired him to tarry with them some days.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Cornelius

Before Jesus. He was a centurion in Caesarea, of the Cohort called the Italica. Acts 10:1
Before Jesus. He and his whole household feared God. He gave many alms to the people and prayed always. Acts 10:2
Before Jesus. At about three in the afternoon he saw an angel in a vision. The angel told him to send for Peter in Joppa. Acts 10:3-5
Before Jesus. He sent two of his servants and a devout soldier. Acts 10:7-8
With Jesus. Meanwhile, Peter had a vision: he must not call unclean what God had made clean. Acts 10:9-16
With Jesus. Peter gave lodging to the men Cornelius had sent. The next day he left with them, along with some brothers from Joppa. Acts 10:23
With Jesus. Cornelius gathered his relatives and friends. When Peter arrived, Cornelius fell at his feet, and Peter raised him up. Acts 10:24-26
With Jesus. Cornelius told Peter about the angel's vision. He said they were all there, in the presence of God, to hear what the Lord had told Peter to say. Acts 10:30-33
With Jesus. Peter proclaimed Jesus to them. While he was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came down on all who were listening. Acts 10:34-44
With Jesus. The Jewish believers who had come with Peter were amazed. They heard people who were not Jews speaking in tongues and praising God. Acts 10:45-46
Afterward. Peter ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Later, in Jerusalem, he explained what had happened. Acts 10:48; Acts 11:1-18
Afterward. Later, at the meeting in Jerusalem, Peter recalled that God chose him to bring the Gospel to those who were not Jews. He said God gave them the Holy Spirit just as he gave it to us. Acts 15:7-8

Words of Cornelius

“What is it, Lord?” Acts 10:4

When he saw the angel in his house, full of fear.

“Now therefore all we are present in thy sight, to hear all things whatsoever are commanded thee by the Lord.” Acts 10:33

When he welcomed Peter into his house, with his relatives and friends.

What they were like

He was devout and feared God, together with his whole household. Acts 10:2
His men described him as upright and well thought of by the whole Jewish people. Acts 10:22

The greatest thing they did

In his house, the Holy Spirit came down on people who were not Jews. Acts 10:44-45
Because of what happened in his house, Peter said that God shows no partiality. Acts 10:34-35

Not to be confused with

Jesus healed the servant of another centurion, in Capernaum. Cornelius lived in Caesarea, and it was Peter who came to his house. Luke 7:1-10; Acts 10:1, 24-25

What people ask

Was Cornelius a Jew?

No. In his house, Peter said that God had taught him not to call any person unclean. Acts 10:28

What is a centurion?

An officer in the Roman army. Cornelius was one, in the Cohort called the Italica. Acts 10:1

Why is his story so important?

In his house, Peter understood that God shows no partiality. He recalled it later at the meeting in Jerusalem. Acts 10:34-35; Acts 15:7-9

Did Cornelius worship Peter?

He fell at his feet. Peter raised him up and told him that he too was only a man. Acts 10:25-26

What became of Cornelius afterward?

The Bible does not say. One tradition says he became bishop of Caesarea; another, of Scepsis. Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Cornelius”

Why did Peter order them to be baptized?

Because they had received the Holy Spirit, just as Peter and his companions had. Peter asked who could withhold the water of baptism from them. Acts 10:47

Is his story read at Mass?

Yes. On the Sixth Sunday of Easter in Year B, we hear of Peter coming to his house. What Peter said there is also read on Easter Sunday. Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; Acts 10:34, 37-43

Daily life He prayed to God constantly. Acts 10:2 He was praying in his house, at about three in the afternoon, when he saw the angel. Acts 10:30 Little known…

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Who Cornelius is connected to

Peter · welcomed him into his home
Jesus · was baptized in his name

More people

All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

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