Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 8
September 13, 1956
NUMBER 19, PAGE 12,15c

Why Did The Spirit Come Upon Cornelius?

H. Osby Weaver, Brady, Texas

In past issues we have discussed the conversion of Cornelius, the first Gentile convert to Christianity, of which we have any record. Some are confused in regard to this man's conversion because they are unable to discern between the circumstances surrounding the conversion and the acts of obedience which constituted the conversion. Some feel that conversion is miraculous or should be accompanied by miraculous demonstrations because there were miracles in connection with Cornelius' conversion. Some have supposed that Cornelius' reception of the Holy Spirit was a part of his conversion, and one today must receive the Holy Spirit just as Cornelius did in order to be converted. So, we ask the question, "Why did the Spirit come upon Cornelius?"

Let us not overlook the fact that the coming of the Holy Spirit was not the only miracle in connection with this man's conversion. First of all, at the hour of prayer, Cornelius saw an angel coming in to him, and saying, "Cornelius." And when he looked upon him, he was afraid and said, "What is it, Lord?" The angel said, "Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do." This was, of course, a miracle in connection with this man's conversion. Then there was the one which occurred down at the home of the tanner. Peter was upon the housetop for prayer while he waited for lunch and fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. There came a voice to him, "Rise, Peter: kill, and eat." But Peter said, "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean." And the voice spoke unto him again the second time, "What God hath cleansed, that call not common." This was done three times and the vessel was received up again into heaven. Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision meant, and while the embassage from Cornelius inquired for him, another miracle occurs. The Spirit enters the picture and says to Peter, "Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them." Then, the final miracle of the Spirit coming upon Cornelius and his household. Here are four miracles in connection with this man's conversion and one of them is no more significant or important than the others. We may as well expect an angel to tell us where to find a preacher, in connection with our conversion, as to expect the Spirit to come on us as he did upon the house of Cornelius. Both occurred in connection with this man's conversion and are equally important. What purpose did each miracle serve? Were these miraculous demonstrations a part of his conversion and are they essential to one's conversion today?

Let us start with the first one, the coming of the angel, and see its purpose. God had inspired man with the gospel which was His power to save. At this time, the gospel had not been written. The inspired word was in the inspired man. In order for Cornelius to be saved, he must have the gospel; hence the necessity of getting the preacher with the inspired word in contact with the unsaved. That was the purpose of the angel's visit — to tell Cornelius that he needed the words of this preacher and where he could find the preacher.

Secondly, the preacher, Simon Peter, was a Jew. Cornelius was a Gentile. It was a violation of Jewish law for a Jew to go into one of another nation. Therefore, Peter will not go to the house of Cornelius, even if he is sent for, unless he has some prejudice removed, so the sheet let down from heaven was a means God had of informing Peter that he should go to one of another nation and preach to him and no longer consider the Gentile as common. Peter said, "God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean." Where did he show him that? Down at Joppa on the housetop. That was the purpose of miracle number two.

Thirdly, Peter was not quite sure what the meaning of this sheet incident was, so the Spirit steps in to tell Peter to go with those men seeking him, for they were sent of God.

Fourthly, the coming of the Spirit upon Cornelius. In connection with this last miracle, allow us to ask some questions. By eliminating all the things which the Spirit did not do for Cornelius, we can learn the purpose served by his coming.

1. Did the Holy Spirit come upon Cornelius for the purpose of regenerating him in order to be born again? No. I Peter 1:23 says we are born again by the word of God.

2. Was it to produce faith? No. Acts 15:7 says that the Gentiles were to hear the word and believe.

3. Was it to purify their hearts? No. Acts 16:9 says the "faith" purified their hearts.

4. Was it for the purpose of converting them? No. Psalm 19:7 says the law of the Lord is perfecting converting the soul.

5. Was it for the purpose of sanctifying them? No. Jesus said we are sanctified by the word of truth. (John 17:17.)

6. Was it for the purpose of saving them? No, the angel said Peter would tell them words by which they were to be saved. (Acts 11:14.)

Why then did the Holy Spirit come upon them? Let us see the purpose which such served, then we will know the why. Later on when Peter was called in for question for having gone to the house of one of another nation, he had six Jewish brethren who had gone with him and could testify in his behalf. He knew he would be called in question on this and took witnesses along with him. In his explanation as to why he went, Peter said, "As I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning . . . . forasmuch as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us ... what was I, that I could withstand God?" When these Jews at Jerusalem heard this, "they held their peace ...." What was the purpose of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Cornelius? To prove to both Jews and Gentiles that the Gentile, who formerly had not been preached to, was to be accepted on an equal basis with the Jew. That there was neither Jew or Greek in Christ Jesus, but all were one, and from that time on, the Gentile was offered the gospel of Christ unto his salvation. That was the purpose of the coming of the Holy Spirit on Cornelius. It was incidental to the conversion and formed no part of it. The coming of the Spirit was no more a part of his conversion than the angel from heaven or sheet let down containing beasts. These were but circumstances in connection with his conversion. Circumstances may vary, but the faith and obedience of every conversion must forever remain the same. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved," will remain Christ's plan of conversion and redemption until time shall be no more.