Cornelius the Centurion
A Roman centurion at Caesarea; the first Gentile household baptized into the Church (Acts 10).
The record
- Setting
- Caesarea, 1st century
- Converted
- baptized with his household by Peter (Acts 10)
- Remembered as
- the first Gentile received into the Church
Cornelius was a Roman centurion stationed at Caesarea. His story, told in the tenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, marks the point at which the Church first received Gentiles. This is the Douay-Rheims translation.
10:1. And there was a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion of that which is called the Italian band: 10:2. A religious man, and fearing God with all his house, giving much alms to the people and always praying to God. 10:3. This man saw in a vision manifestly, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him and saying to him: Cornelius. 10:4. And he, beholding him, being seized with fear, said: What is it, Lord? And he said to him: Thy prayers and thy alms are ascended for a memorial in the sight of God.Acts 10:1–4 (Douay-Rheims)
Cornelius sent for the Apostle Peter, who was lodging at Joppa. Peter, who had meanwhile received a vision teaching him not to call any man common or unclean, came and entered the Gentile’s house.
in very deed I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons. 10:35. But in every nation, he that feareth him and worketh justice is acceptable to him.Acts 10:34–35 (Douay-Rheims)
As Peter spoke, the event followed that astonished the Jewish believers with him.
10:44. While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the word. 10:45. And the faithful of the circumcision, who came with Peter, were astonished for that the grace of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles also. … 10:47. Then Peter answered: Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we? 10:48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.Acts 10:44–48 (Douay-Rheims)
The baptism of Cornelius and his household is recorded as the first admission of Gentiles into the Church, a step Peter afterward defended before the church at Jerusalem.