Salvation to the Gentiles

Preacher Joe
Acts 10:1-6 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. (More)

Cornelius is a very important character in the Bible.
1. God has chosen to use man to demonstrate the need to turn completely to Christ. The Angel could have told Cornelius, but God uses a man to communicate the message.
2. God will orchestrate the opportunity to communicate the message. II Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.3. God does not look at any man as unable to receive the grace of Jesus Christ.

Cornelius was the first non-Jew to be saved. The door is opened to gentiles. Acts 10:45 The Jews were "astonished" i.e., "out of their minds" in amazement.

God gives privilege and responsibility: the privilege of membership in God's family (I am a child of God); the responsibility to carry the message of hope and salvation to others.

II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.