10:30Acts 10:30

Cornelius was recounting four days afterward how he had been fasting and praying in his house at the ninth hour when a man in bright clothing, an angel in vision, stood before him.Ms 67, 1900, par. 17–22+3 The messenger told him his prayer was heard and his alms were remembered before God and directed him to send to Joppa for Simon Peter, lodged with Simon the tanner by the seaside, who would speak to him and give him further instruction.Ms 67, 1900, par. 17–22+2 Cornelius was a God-fearing Roman centurion whose prayers, alms and righteous living were accepted as far as his light went, yet neither prayer nor almsgiving could take the place of Christ, and he needed to know Jesus intelligently to be made complete in Him.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21+3 Although the angel could have given him the whole gospel directly, God did not have angels preach it but appointed a human messenger so that through Peter he and his household might receive greater light and salvation.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21+3 His relating of the experience taught Peter and opened the way for the gospel to go beyond the Jews to the Gentiles, showing that God is no respecter of persons but in every nation he that fears Him and works righteousness is accepted with Him.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14+4

Cornelius is speaking four days after what happened, telling how he had been fasting until that very hour and was praying in his house at the ninth hour.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14+4 At that hour of prayer a man stood before him in bright clothing.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14+4 That shining figure was an angel, appearing to him in vision while he prayed at home.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14+4

The messenger told him that his prayer was heard and his alms were remembered before God in His sight.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14+4 He was directed to send to Joppa and call for Simon whose surname is Peter.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14+4 Peter was lodged with Simon a tanner by the seaside, and would speak to Cornelius and give him further instruction and the truth God had appointed for him to hear.Ms 67, 1900, par. 17–22+4

Cornelius sent for Peter immediately in obedience to the direction.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14+3 He also gathered his kinsmen and near friends, with all present before God to hear all things commanded of God through Peter.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14+3 In recounting the vision to Peter he explained that he had sent for him for this purpose, showing readiness to receive the gospel.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14+1

Cornelius was a Roman army officer in a high position, a God-fearing centurion at Caesarea who feared God, worked righteousness, and lived up to all the light he had received.6T 79.2–3+4 His pure, undefiled devotion made him a bright and shining light and an example others might follow, and his prayers and alms were accepted by God as far as his knowledge went, as acceptably as a Jew.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21+4 God knew him just as He knew Abraham, because he had received and improved all the light given him, and his sincere service was kindly regarded.AC1 63.1–2+1
He was fasting until that hour and praying in his house at the ninth hour, longing for more light from heaven and seeking God through prayer.Ms 126, 1902, par. 26–27+3 His mind and heart were open to receive every ray God sends, never feeling that all light worth having had already been received, with all things in readiness to hear the truth and receive advanced light.Ms 126, 1902, par. 26–27+2 He belonged to the earnest inquirers who longed for truth, an honest seeker outside the faith who should be approached with patient, loving effort.Lt 17, 1900, par. 5–6+2
Yet his faith and righteousness could not be perfect without a knowledge of Christ, for neither prayer nor almsgiving could take the place of Christ in whom all fullness dwells.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21+1 Having believed God's promise of a Messiah, he still needed an advance in faith and a new experience to know Jesus Christ intelligently, to receive its fulfillment by faith and be joined to Jesus.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21+1 All his devotion could only be made complete in Him, requiring him to advance with the truth given him and unite faith with works for the further development of righteous character.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21+2 For this God sent him that light and knowledge and placed him in connection with men of superior knowledge regarding His Word to teach him Bible truth, that he might obtain advanced light and a knowledge of God.AC1 63.1–2+1
When Christ was revealed to him he received Him gladly, becoming one taught by God, true and sanctified and ennobled through the truth.Lt 197, 1904, par. 15+2 He represents a small company waiting anxiously to be fed with gospel truth, who like him were fasting and praying when heaven answered that prayer was heard and alms were remembered before God.Lt 86, 1898, par. 3–8 He is the example of men outside the church who are stewards in trust, bearing responsibilities and facing the temptations that come with positions of stewardship, whose sympathies are with believers.Lt 4, 1900, par. 5–7+1 They need special care and determined, earnest labor because of their position, for it is often a heavier cross to work for them than for the poorer and lowly ones, since the threads that bind them to the world hold them there and they lack the moral courage to take their stand with the lowly ones for Christ.Lt 4, 1900, par. 5–7+1

God instructed people through visions, opening up His work and how it should be carried on and revealing what they should say or do.Ms 135, 1906, par. 1–3+1 That instruction was given in the night season and repeated again and again, and that same way of instruction still operates.Ms 135, 1906, par. 1–3+1 God employs angels to communicate with human beings, and here an immortal messenger was sent to a man as guide and powerful helper to God's chosen messenger on earth.Lt 191, 1905, par. 16–17

The ministration of heavenly angels recorded here resulted in the conversion of Cornelius and his company.Ms 17, 1908, par. 29 It shows that heaven is much nearer to the Christian engaged in soul-saving work than many suppose.Ms 17, 1908, par. 29 The vision to Cornelius was part of God's way of guiding Peter as he was about to preach to the Gentiles.ExVEGW 64.3+1 Such visions are given to comfort God's people and to correct those who err from Bible truth, not to provide a new rule of faith.ExVEGW 64.3+1

The simplicity of the transaction shows the Lord knows every person by name, just where each lives, the spirit each possesses, and every act of life.Lt 20a, 1893, par. 48–49 He knew Cornelius just as He knew Abraham, because Cornelius had received and improved all the light given him.Lt 20a, 1893, par. 48–49 Ministering angels pass through the churches noting faithfulness in each individual line of duty.Lt 20a, 1893, par. 48–49 God gave Cornelius exact, detailed knowledge of where Peter was to be found, lodging with Simon the tanner, and worked out every detail of their meeting.Ms 43c, 1901, par. 22–23+4

The verse shows the Lord working for one who feared His name.Ms 1, 1908, par. 5–14+2 It teaches the way God works on human minds to bring light and deliverance, breaking the power of oppression and tyranny and dispelling ignorance and superstition and the dark clouds that cover minds.Ms 1, 1908, par. 5–14+2

The angel who stood before Cornelius could have given him the needed light and told him the whole gospel message directly, yet God did not appoint angels to preach it. Ms 171, 1905, par. 21+4 The angel's work was only to give the particulars for sending men to Joppa for Peter, lodging with Simon the tanner. Ms 171, 1905, par. 21+4 God's plan was for a chosen human messenger appointed by Him to explain the gospel, so that through a human agent Cornelius might receive greater light and salvation for himself and his household. Ms 171, 1903, par. 16–17+3 Hearing truth from Peter whom God had appointed was the way his prayer at the ninth hour was to be answered with further enlightenment and connection of the Gentiles with the gospel. Ms 171, 1903, par. 16–17+2

God unites heaven and earth in the work, and His church must connect together. Ms 171, 1905, par. 21+3 The truth and law and light already given to Peter had to be imparted by Peter to Cornelius and all his family, carried by human agents from one to another. Ms 43c, 1901, par. 22–23+4 God deliberately withheld the message from the angel so as to bring about that personal connection between Peter and Cornelius. 6MR 311.3–312.1+3 That arrangement was to bring believers into close connection with Christ and with one another in unity and love and honest, just, true dealing. 6MR 311.3–312.1+1

God sends heavenly messengers to set in operation a train of circumstances that brings Peter into connection with Cornelius so Cornelius may learn the truth. Lt 17, 1900, par. 5–6+2 Through angel ministration Peter is brought into cooperation with him. Lt 17, 1900, par. 5–6 In every age God so brings the honest-hearted into connection with those of His people who can best reach their individual needs. 6MR 328.3–329.1+1 Different workers are adapted by special knowledge and training to help different classes of inquirers. 6MR 328.3–329.1

Cornelius's conversion was the first major conversion among the Gentiles and marked the movement of the gospel beyond the Jews to the wider world.RH Apr 13, 1911+2 It opened a new phase of the church's work, for Christ's death had broken down the barrier between Jews and Gentiles.ST May 15, 1879 God was thereby setting in motion the spread of the gospel to Gentiles who had been excluded from its privileges in the apostles' minds.ST May 15, 1879

Gentiles who accepted the gospel were to share its blessings as equals with Jewish believers, without having to be circumcised.RH Apr 13, 1911+1 Those once strangers were made fellow citizens with God's people and members of His household.Lt 51, 1902, par. 9–12 Through Christ Gentiles were no longer to be treated as unclean or excluded from God's promises but were to share equally in them.7RED 65.2–67.1+1 The vision of the animals did not make previously unclean animals fit for food; it illustrated this truth about the Gentiles.ST May 15, 1879

Cornelius's relating of his experience provided the evidence that taught Peter and opened the way for him to perceive that God is no respecter of persons but in every nation he that fears Him and works righteousness is accepted with Him.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14+2 That testimony showed his readiness to receive the gospel with his kinsmen and near friends gathered to hear all things commanded of God, and taught Peter not to call any man common or unclean.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14+1 Peter repeated the substance of that interview to the brethren in Judea when they censured him for going to a Gentile house and eating with the uncircumcised.RH Apr 13, 1911 He used it as proof that God had commanded the visit and that the ceremonial distinction of circumcision and uncircumcision and regarding Gentiles as unclean was ended.RH Apr 13, 1911

The event at once converted Peter to God's purpose for the Gentiles, overcoming human prejudice and removing the barrier between Jew and Gentile so that both are joined to Christ by faith.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21+1 Peter received it with reluctance at every step and with surprise at the result.6MR 328.3–329.1 His distinct leading work was as pioneer in breaking through the barriers of ages and teaching the heathen world, a work Christ prepared him for beforehand with full foresight of what was coming.ST Nov 23, 1915 The conversion of Cornelius and his household was only the firstfruits of a harvest to be gathered from the world.Lt 17, 1900, par. 5–6+2 From that household a widespread work of grace was carried on in a heathen city.Lt 17, 1900, par. 5–6+1

The tenth chapter of Acts is to be read and prayed over until understanding is opened.Ms 1, 1908, par. 5–14+1 When it is understood, it moves to earnest work for souls in the home field and to arousing to home mission duties.Ms 1, 1908, par. 5–14+2 The gospel is to be given as freely to the Jews as to the Gentiles with no barriers erected, for failure in that home duty leaves workers wanting in the day of God.Ms 1, 1908, par. 5–14+2

Cornelius is the pattern of honest, inquiring, light-seeking souls with all things in readiness to hear the truth and receive advanced light.Lt 17, 1900, par. 5–6+1 Such souls are found in associations like the W.C.T.U., and earnest, devoted, determined work with patient, loving effort is to be done that they may be gathered out and led to truth.Lt 17, 1900, par. 5–6+1 There are many in the world like Cornelius, and even in the churches there are souls much nearer the kingdom of heaven than is supposed.Lt 144, 1902, par. 22–23 They are precious jewels in this dark world of sin, walking in all the light they have received, to whom God will guide His servants to bring them into the full light of truth.Lt 144, 1902, par. 22–23

God's servants are to place themselves in readiness and make personal efforts for them, for angels and the agencies of heaven are ever ready to cooperate with human agencies in that simplicity of plan.Lt 144, 1902, par. 22–23 They need special care and determined, earnest labor because of position, since it is often a heavier cross to work for those bound by threads to the world than for the poorer and lowly ones.Lt 4, 1900, par. 5–7+1 Their sympathies are with believers as stewards in trust bearing responsibilities and temptations, yet worldly ties hold them there for lack of moral courage to take their position with the lowly ones, and faithful labor for them should give courage.Lt 4, 1900, par. 5–7+1 God directs people to places where someone needs the divine help and guidance they can give, guiding sincere seekers to greater light and enabling them to share the truth with others.MH 472.4–473.1+1

The ministration of heavenly angels resulting in the conversion of Cornelius and his company shows heaven is much nearer to the Christian engaged in soul-saving work than many suppose.Ms 17, 1908, par. 29 It teaches God's regard for every human being, and that each person should treat his fellow man as one of the Lord's instrumentalities for accomplishing His work in the earth.Ms 17, 1908, par. 29 The same work God did for Cornelius He does for true standard-bearers in every age who live on principles God accepts, sending light from heaven and connection with men of superior knowledge of His Word to teach Bible truth.Lt 197, 1904, par. 5–8 By this He prepares the way for them to take the place of those who have been given a knowledge of Bible truth but have disappointed the Lord.Lt 197, 1904, par. 5–8 The Lord now calls for men like Cornelius, taught by God, true and sanctified and ennobled through the truth, in contrast to lifelong professing believers who have lost spiritual discernment and are in very perilous condition.Lt 197, 1904, par. 15

His fasting, prayer, and immediate response show a mind and heart open to receive every ray of light God sends, never feeling that all light worth having has already been received.Ms 126, 1902, par. 26–27 That example calls for daily accepting and cherishing the truth as it is in Jesus, by which believers are sanctified and conformed to the divine likeness.Ms 126, 1902, par. 26–27 Ministering angels pass through the churches noting faithfulness in each individual line of duty, for the Lord knows every person by name, just where each lives, the spirit each possesses, and every act of life.Lt 20a, 1893, par. 48–49