Cornelius the Centurion
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| Cornelius the Centurion | |
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 Peter Baptizing the Centurion Cornelius, by Francesco Trevisani, 1709. |
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| Born | unknown |
| Died | unknown |
| Feast | 2 February[1] |
 Saints Portal |
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Cornelius (in Greek, Κορνήλιος) was a Roman Centurion who is considered by Christians to be the first Gentile to convert to the faith, as related in Acts of the Apostles.
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[edit] Biblical account
Stationed in Caesarea, Cornelius is depicted in the New Testament as a man full of good works and deeds of alms. Cornelius receives a vision in which an angel of God tells him that his prayers have been heard. The angel then instructs Cornelius to send the men of his household to Joppa, where they will find Simon Peter, who is residing with a tanner by the name of Simon.
The conversion of Cornelius only comes after yet another vision given to Simon Peter (Acts 10:10-16) himself; in Simon Peter's vision, he sees all manner of four-footed beasts and birds of the air. A voice commands Simon Peter to eat. When he objects to eating those animals that are unclean to Mosaic Law, the voice tells him not to call unclean that which God has cleansed.
When Cornelius' men arrive, Simon Peter understands that the vision permits the conversion of the Gentiles. When Cornelius himself meets Simon Peter, Cornelius falls at his feet in adoration. Picking Cornelius up, Simon Peter welcomes him. After the two men share their visions, and Simon Peter tells of Jesus' ministry and the Resurrection, the Holy Spirit falls on everyone at the gathering. The Jews among the group are amazed that Cornelius and other uncircumcised should begin speaking in tongues, praising God. Thereupon Simon Peter orders that Cornelius and his followers be baptized.
The controversial aspect of Gentile conversion is taken up later at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15).
[edit] Significance
The Catholic Encyclopedia summarizes the importance of Cornelius' baptism as follows:
| “ | The baptism of Cornelius is an important event in the history of the Early Church. The gates of the Church, within which thus far only those who were circumcised and observed the Law of Moses had been admitted, were now thrown open to the uncircumcised Gentiles without the obligation of submitting to the Jewish ceremonial laws. | ” |
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—F. Bechtel, Catholic Encyclopedia, 1908.[2] |
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[edit] Role in tradition
Certain traditions hold Cornelius as becoming either the first bishop of Caesarea or the bishop of Scepsis in Mysia.[2] His feast day on the Roman calendar is 2 February.[1]
[edit] Trivia
- Cornelius is a main character in several works of literature, including Petrarch's epic poem Africa (1397) and Sholem Asch's novel The Nazarene (1939).
