The Saving of a Soul

Acts 10:1-48

This is a remarkable account! God used miraculous circumstances to bring together two men from drastically different walks of life, different backgrounds, different political affiliations, and different locations. Most importantly, these two men were destined for two very different eternal homes…but because of this meeting, Cornelius met the Saviour, became a child of Christ, and became Peter’s brother in the Lord. Because of Christ, a Jew became friends with an Italian centurion in the Roman army!

Sadly, our nation and our world is becoming increasingly divided. It’s not very difficult to imagine conditions like these in Acts 10 becoming much more common. Let me remind us that only Christ is the answer to this world’s problems! He can meet our spiritual needs and mend our interpersonal problems. Christ is the answer.

This account of the salvation of Cornelius and those in his household reveals many important truths about Heaven and the gospel. May God bless the preaching of His Word this morning.

I. Things That Cannot Save You From God’s Wrath

We don’t like to think of God as having wrath; we want to think of Him as complacently accepting everyone into Heaven (I’ve had people tell me that they think everyone will end up there!), but the Bible is clear that God’s wrath will be poured out one day.

Matthew 3:7 KJV 1900

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

John 3:36 KJV 1900

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Romans 2:1–6 KJV 1900

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

God’s wrath is hot, violent anger against sin and sinners. It is His vengeance. He does not expend it indiscriminately or spontaneously. He doesn’t lose His temper. He is a God of mercy and longsuffering, but one day the time for mercy will be over, and it will be time for wrath. And it will be a fearsome thing.

Revelation 6:15–17 KJV 1900

And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Everyone who stands before God the Judge without being washed in the blood of the only Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, will be subject to God’s eternal wrath. Many of these people will be surprised to find themselves there, because they thought they were good people. Perhaps there are some here today who haven’t met Christ personally, but assume they will be in Heaven one day. Here are some things that cannot save you from God’s wrath.

A. Your religion, generosity, and good works cannot save you (vs. 1)

Cornelius was devout

He gave much alms

He prayed to God alway

Christ will hear people try to convince Him one day that they are good enough to get to Heaven!

Matthew 7:21–23 KJV 1900

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Prophesying, casting out devils, and doing wonderful works cannot change you from being a worker of iniquity. Only Christ can do that.

B. Your religious experiences cannot save you (vs. 3)

Many trust their experiences as proof of salvation! But Cornelius’ vision didn’t bring salvation.

C. Others’ opinion of you cannot save you (vs. 22)

“Just” means right with God, and justified.

Romans 8:28–33 KJV 1900

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

Only God can justify you. Cornelius’ servants considered him a just man, but God didn’t. (vs. 2, 6) Some reject Christ because of how it will harm their reputation with other people. Are you willing to experience God’s wrath in order to preserve others’ opinion of you? Their opinion cannot save you, but you may let it keep you condemned.

D. Serving others cannot save you (vs. 25-26)

Cornelius humbly showed great honor to Peter, in error!

Are we seeing a pattern in all of this? Salvation cannot come from us or from others. It can only come from Christ!

II. Things That Cannot Keep You From God’s Redemption

There were “pros and cons” to Cornelius’ situation. The “pros” were the things that we already discussed; they couldn’t bring salvation to his life. Thankfully, the “cons” couldn’t keep salvation out of his life!

A. Your lineage (vs. 1)

Cornelius was a Gentile from pagan Italy! Some people think they were born beyond the reach of God’s love. That is a lie.

B. Your career choices (vs. 1)

Some people believe they have sinned too much to be saved. God disagrees. Cornelius was an officer in the army that was oppressing God’s chosen people. That didn’t stop God from seeking him.

C. Logistics (vs. 1, 8-9, 23-24)

Cornelius was in Caesarea, the Roman government capital in Israel. How many Christians lived there? He was also approximately 30 miles from Joppa, where Peter was. That was a distance of about a day and a half’s journey! These things were not obstacles to God! You are not beyond God’s reach, dear sinner!

D. Your ignorance and confusion (vs. 25-26)

Cornelius worshiped Peter—he was a bit confused! Never believe that God can’t clear up your confusion so that you may understand the truth. You are not that special of a case!

III. Things That Are Needed for Salvation

What things were present in Cornelius’ heart and life that are necessary for salvation?

A. Fear of God (vs. 2)

The fear of God is critical! A deep respect for God’s power and reverence for His person is a prerequisite to knowing Him.

Proverbs 1:7 KJV 1900

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

True knowledge leads us to God!

Proverbs 2:2–5 (KJV 1900)

So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, And liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, And searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.

Fearing God leads us away from evil!

Proverbs 16:6 KJV 1900

By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: And by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

Proverbs 19:23 KJV 1900

The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: And he that hath it shall abide satisfied; He shall not be visited with evil.

Proverbs 22:4 KJV 1900

By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, and honour, and life.

Cornelius didn’t yet know God, but he feared Him. That was a critical first step.

B. A desire for God (vs. 6)

When the angel told him what to do, Cornelius didn’t delay. He wasn’t interested in religion merely to salve his conscience. He was genuinely seeking God. His actions prove it.

C. Humility (vs. 25-26)

When Cornelius’ worship was rejected by Peter, he didn’t get angry. If he had been only trying to flatter Peter, this response would have angered or offended him. But Cornelius was humble and teachable. He was willing to be corrected.

D. Childlike faith (vs. 44)

Along with the rest of the members of his household, Cornelius believed on Christ without delay. When his humble and submissive spirit understood the truth about Jesus Christ, there was nothing left to be done. He believed on Christ simply and completely, like a child would.

Matthew 18:2–4 KJV 1900

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Cornelius’ conversion is indicated by the indwelling of the Holy Ghost!

After all these people demonstrated evidence of salvation, Peter commanded that they be baptized. Scriptural baptism is always done on believers! It is only to be done after salvation, not for salvation.

What about you today? Are you trusting in any of Cornelius’ religious credentials? They couldn’t save him, and they can never save you. Are you claiming that God can’t save you? Cornelius had some pretty significant obstacles in his life, but they didn’t keep him out of God’s reach.

The issue that sinners have is a heart issue. We don’t want to fear God, we want to be our own god. We don’t pursue after God, we want to pursue pleasure and luxury. We don’t want to humble ourselves, we want to show our dominance. And we don’t want to trust what God says, we want to trust what we can see. Those are reasons why sinners are not saved. Don’t let them keep you from salvation today!