10:24Acts 10:24

The next day Peter and his party reached Caesarea, where Cornelius was waiting with a large company of household, relatives and close friends he had gathered to hear the message.Ms 67, 1900, par. 17–22+4
In obedience to the angel's direction he waited eagerly to receive Peter, wanting not only himself but those nearest him to share the spiritual blessing and be taught how to be saved.Ms 67, 1900, par. 17–22+4
The meeting was the first major conversion among the Gentiles, opening a new phase in which believing Gentiles share the blessings of the gospel on equal terms with Jewish disciples and are no longer to be treated as unclean or excluded.Lt 51, 1902, par. 9–12+4
God directed the meeting by an angel who told Cornelius just where to find Peter, yet the angel did not preach the gospel, for the light was to be imparted through the chosen human messenger in cooperation between heaven and earth.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21+4
Cornelius was a God-fearing Roman centurion who had lived in accordance with the light he had received and longed and prayed for more, and the Lord wrought for him as He works for all who so receive and improve what is given them.Ms 1, 1908, par. 5–14+4
His desire to bring his kindred and friends to the light is the way all should feel, making every such opportunity a means of inviting anxious acquaintances to come and share salvation with household and community.Lt 144, 1902, par. 18–21+2

The day after setting out, Peter and his party reached Caesarea, where Cornelius was waiting for them.Ms 126, 1902, par. 17–19+2 When Peter arrived he found not a solitary seeker but a large company eagerly waiting to listen.AA 137.3–138.3+3 Cornelius had used the interval while Peter was on the way to gather others, so they too could hear the gospel.EW 67.2+1

His waiting was eager and obedient, in response to the instruction and direction given him by the angel to receive Peter.Ms 67, 1900, par. 17–22+2 He was preparing to receive him, willing to receive the truth through God's appointed human messenger.Ms 67, 1900, par. 17–22+1 That eager expectation turned the visit into an opportunity to share God's message with a group of people.Lt 144, 1902, par. 18–21

Those he had called together were his kinsmen and near friends, his household, relatives, accessible relatives and close friends.Ms 67, 1900, par. 17–22+4 They were gathered to hear the words God would speak through Peter.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14+1 They waited eagerly to be instructed in the truth, to learn the truth from the gospel minister God had sent, and to be shown how they might be saved.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14+2

He sought instruction not only for himself but also for those close to him, for his household and community.RH Apr 13, 1911+2 He wanted others to share the benefit of the spiritual blessing he was about to receive.Ms 126, 1902, par. 17–19 That desire to lead others to the light is the way all should feel.Ms 126, 1902, par. 17–19

The man thus waiting was Cornelius at Caesarea, a Roman officer and centurion in a high position.6T 79.2–3+2 He was a Gentile, a God-fearing centurion directed by vision to send for Peter.RH Apr 13, 1911+1 He lived in accordance with the light he had received, and belonged to the class among the nations who sincerely seek truth, having longed and prayed for light from heaven and gladly receiving Christ when He was revealed.6T 79.2–3+2

The gathering at Caesarea belongs to the first major and important conversion among the Gentiles, marking the opening of a new phase in which Gentile believers who accepted the gospel were to share its blessings on equal terms with Jewish disciples without having to be circumcised.RH Apr 13, 1911+2 At this point Peter had not yet preached to Gentiles, because the apostles still carried a prejudice that excluded them from gospel privileges even though Christ's death had broken down the barrier between Jews and Gentiles.ST May 15, 1879 The meeting fulfills God's purpose to the Gentiles to take away barriers between Jew and Gentile and to bring the gospel beyond the Jews, joining Jews and Gentiles by faith to Jesus Christ as fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household.Lt 51, 1902, par. 9–12+3 Gentiles who had been strangers were not to be treated as unclean or excluded, for God gave them the Holy Spirit and granted them repentance leading to life.7RED 65.2–67.1+1

God used the event to overcome the prejudice against Gentiles fixed in Peter by Jewish training, to convert Peter himself and to prepare and correct him through a vision to preach to the Gentiles.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14+4 That preparation taught him not to belittle such seekers hungering for salvation without opportunity to hear the truth, and not to call any man common or unclean, while using him to do the first work of proclaiming the gospel to the Gentiles.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14+1 The vision was given to correct those erring from Bible truth and for the comfort of God's people, not for a new rule of faith, for the Word remains the rule of faith and practice by which all are judged.ExVEGW 64.3+1 The conversion of Cornelius and his household and company was only the firstfruits of a harvest to be gathered from the world, and from that home and household in a heathen city a widespread work of grace was carried on.Lt 17, 1900, par. 5–6+2

The experience in Cornelius's home corroborates the same promised blessing and power seen in Acts 2, in which those who received it spoke in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance.Ms 115, 1908 Peter's six companions witnessed what happened to the Gentiles God had directed him to meet, showing God's plan included the Gentiles.7RED 65.2–67.1

The waiting in Caesarea belongs to the vision of Cornelius in the tenth chapter of Acts, and it shows how God employs angels to communicate with human beings and sends His messengers to earth.Lt 191, 1905, par. 16–17+1 God has messengers on earth and angels are their guides, and instruction is often given to men by immortal messengers sent to be the powerful helpers of His chosen messengers.Lt 191, 1905, par. 16–17 Heaven is much nearer to the Christian engaged in the work of soul-saving than many suppose, teaching God's regard for every human being and that each should treat his fellow man as one of the Lord's instrumentalities for accomplishing His work in the earth.Ms 17, 1908, par. 29

God knew exactly where Peter was, lodging with Simon the tanner, and told Cornelius every particular through an angel where to find him.Ms 43c, 1901, par. 22–23+4 The same God who knew Abraham knew Cornelius by name, just where he lived, the spirit he possessed, and every act of his life.Lt 20a, 1893, par. 48–49 Ministering angels pass through the churches noting faithfulness in each one's individual line of duty, while the simplicity of the whole transaction shows the Lord knows every person by name and circumstance.Lt 20a, 1893, par. 48–49 Though Cornelius's prayers were heard and he received directions to gain further enlightenment, the angel did not preach the gospel message itself.Ms 171, 1903, par. 16–17+4 God brings the gospel to the Gentiles through chosen human messengers rather than by an angel alone, and that is not His way to have the angel give it directly.Ms 171, 1903, par. 16–17+1

The light God had given to Peter had to be imparted by Peter himself to Cornelius and to all his family and friends and household and kinsmen assembled with him, requiring His people to connect together in gospel missionary work.Ms 43c, 1901, par. 22–23+4 Cornelius obeyed the angel's direction and gathered his household, relatives, and close friends to hear Peter's message, showing willingness to receive truth through God's appointed human messenger.Ms 96, 1893, par. 10–12 God sent His messengers to set in operation a train of circumstances to bring Peter into connection with Cornelius so that Cornelius might learn the truth, and through angel ministration Peter was brought into cooperation with them.Lt 17, 1900, par. 5–6+2 In every age God brings honest hearts and the honest-hearted into connection with those of His people who can best reach their individual needs, some having special knowledge adapted to help one class of inquirers and others trained differently to help another class.6MR 328.3–329.1+1

Cornelius, though accepted by God in devout piety and commended, had to gain an advance in faith and a new experience to work intelligently through Jesus Christ.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21 He who believed the Word promising a Messiah had now to receive its fulfillment, since neither prayer nor almsgiving can take the place of Christ Jesus in whom all fullness dwells.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21 Prayers and alms are acceptable as far as knowledge goes but are complete only in Him.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21 Peter was appointed as the human instrument in the hands of heavenly agencies, with heaven and earth united in the work.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21 Cornelius as a man of influence with his kindred and friends, in connection with believers in Jesus Christ, could accomplish a great work in gospel missionary work.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21

Cornelius belonged to a class among the nations who sincerely sought truth, Gentiles who had had no opportunity to hear it yet hungered for salvation, and he had longed and prayed for light from heaven and when Christ was revealed to him received Him gladly.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14+3 His eager gathering of kinsmen and near friends at Caesarea to hear the words God would speak through Peter was part of God's careful work to overcome the prejudice against Gentiles fixed in Peter by Jewish training, to convert Peter himself, and to teach him not to belittle such seekers and not to call any man common or unclean.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14 He was one who feared God's name, who had received and improved all the light God had given him and lived in accordance with it, a Roman officer in a high position to whom God in compassion and tender love sent a special message and directed Peter to visit with further light, and the Lord wrought for him as He works for all such.Ms 1, 1908, par. 5–14+4

He represents people in the world who have not received the whole truth yet serve God with sincere earnest purpose, walking in all the light they have received, and souls in the churches who are much nearer the kingdom than is supposed, serving God as acceptably as Peter the Jew as precious jewels in this dark world of sin.Lt 17, 1900, par. 5–6+1 Honest inquiring souls as honest as Cornelius and those gathered with him in readiness to hear truth and receive advanced light are still to be found in associations like the W.C.T.U., and it is the Lord's design that earnest devoted work be done for them so that those seeking light may be gathered out.Lt 17, 1900, par. 5–6+1 Through the ages many like him fear God and follow principles of righteousness without being fully informed of truth for this time, working in every sphere on principles God accepts, living devout lives as a clear pure undefiled testimony and bright shining lights even in high positions of responsibility among accomplished worldly men, not forgetting God in investigation of true science and the laws that rule the world.Lt 197, 1904, par. 5–8 As God worked for Cornelius He works for these true standard-bearers, preparing the way for them to take the place of those given a knowledge of Bible truth who have disappointed the Saviour, placing them in connection with men of superior knowledge of His Word that they may obtain advanced light and obtain a knowledge of God as Cornelius did through the visitation of angels from heaven.Lt 197, 1904, par. 5–8

These men of nobility and influence awaiting the call to action are called into His work as His witnesses to stand for God in true integrity, facing a hard battle in sharp contrast with men who have sacrificed His cause and misinterpreted and falsified His Word and meeting fearful odds and falsehood after falsehood.Lt 197, 1904, par. 5–8 Yet if they heed the message for this time God gives them strength to conquer and to testify by purity and nobility of character to the power of unadulterated principles, honoring the Lord God of heaven with the sunshine of His favor distinctly seen amid clouds of unfaithful stewardship and clash of falsehood, and by clinging closely to the hand of Infinite Wisdom they are given strength to press on in the narrow way cast up for the ransomed of the Lord.Lt 197, 1904, par. 5–8 Christ does not acknowledge a hypocrite but acknowledges and honors those who truly serve Him and guides them along the path that leads to everlasting life, while being a lifelong professing believer without being sanctified and ennobled through the truth is building the house upon the sand, and those right in their own eyes who suppose themselves wise will perish when the tempest comes because they did not build upon the solid rock.Lt 197, 1904, par. 5–8+1 He is the pattern for men of responsibility and stewardship whose sympathies are with God's people and whom God sees and wants connected with the church, whom God can convert and connect with His work as influential agents to share the gospel with others.Lt 4, 1900, par. 5–7+1 Such men need special care and determined effort because the threads that bind them to the world and the temptations of their positions hold them there and they lack the moral courage to take their position with the lowly ones, yet if reached they will give strength and solidity to the cause.Lt 4, 1900, par. 5–7 His example shows that people among those opposed to the message may still be honest and ready to receive truth, and that patient loving work can gather such seekers.Ms 81, 1907, par. 13–17

Cornelius afterward joined the church and became a useful worker with God, having obeyed the heavenly direction and prepared to receive Peter by waiting for him with relatives and close friends gathered together.Ms 67, 1900, par. 17–22 His gathering made Peter's visit an opportunity to share God's message with a whole group rather than one man alone, so that salvation could be shared with household and community.Lt 144, 1902, par. 18–21+1 He wanted others to share the benefit of the spiritual blessing he was about to receive, and that desire to lead others to the light is the way all should feel.Ms 126, 1902, par. 17–19 They waited eagerly for the arrival of the gospel minister God had sent to teach them how they might be saved and learn the truth.3SP 329.1–2 Receiving great light creates conscientious lightbearers, and the same will happen in the last days when many prize the wisdom of God above any earthly advantage and obey the Word of God as the supreme standard, being led to great light and knowledge of the truth and then, constrained by the love of God, improving every opportunity to invite and urge anxious acquaintances to come and see the beauty of truth and to give their abilities to advance God's work.Ms 97, 1898, par. 16

The verse is instruction to be read and prayed over until understood and until understanding is opened, so that workers will begin earnestly to work for souls in their home field and arouse to home mission duty lest they be found wanting in the day of God.Ms 1, 1908, par. 5–14+2 It shows the Lord working for one who feared His name and teaches the way God works on human minds.Ms 1, 1908, par. 5–14+2 That working breaks the power of oppression and tyranny and dispels from minds the dark clouds of ignorance and superstition.5MR 212.2–3

God deliberately brought Cornelius and Peter into connection, knowing exactly where Peter was lodging and telling Cornelius every particular of where to find him, yet the angel did not preach the gospel message itself because that is not God's way.6MR 311.3–312.1+2 The light given to Peter had to be given by Peter to Cornelius and to all his family and friends assembled with him, for God joins His workers together to share truth and requires His people to connect together.6MR 311.3–312.1+2 This calls believers to unify and come into close connection with Christ and with one another in love, to love one another and to deal honestly, justly, truly, gently and righteously without false weights and measures, working on heaven's principles so that the salvation of God is revealed.6MR 311.3–312.1+2

The conversion of Cornelius and his company was brought about through the ministration of heavenly angels, showing heaven is much nearer to the Christian engaged in soul-saving than many suppose.Ms 17, 1908, par. 29 It teaches God's regard for every human being and that each should treat his fellow man as one of the Lord's instrumentalities for accomplishing His work in the earth.Ms 17, 1908, par. 29 Cornelius represents people in the world who have not received the whole truth yet serve God with sincere earnest purpose, walking in all the light received as acceptably as Peter the Jew, precious jewels in a dark world of sin, as well as souls in the churches much nearer the kingdom than supposed.Lt 144, 1902, par. 22–23 God desires personal efforts to bring such seekers to the full light of truth, and the agencies of heaven and angels of God are ever ready to cooperate with human servants in that work, which gives reason for readiness and courage.Lt 144, 1902, par. 22–23 Peter serving at the place God directed him, as a representative sent to people who needed divine help and guidance, shows serving where God directs.MH 472.4–473.1