Cornelius Calls For Peter; Acts 10:1 – 8 – Part 2

Church History: The orders were given him from heaven, by the ministry of an angel, to send for Peter to come to him, which he would never have done if he had not been directed to do it. He had a vision, in which an angel delivered them to him. It was about the ninth hour of the day, at three o’clock in the afternoon, which is with us an hour of business and conversation; but then, because it was in the temple the time of offering the evening sacrifice, it was made by devout people an hour of prayer, to intimate that all our prayers are to be offered up in the virtue of the great sacrifice. Cornelius was now at prayer: so he tells us himself that an angel of God came in to him. By the brightness of his countenance, and the manner of his coming in, he knew him to be something more than a man, and therefore nothing less than an angel, an express from heaven. He saw him evidently with his bodily eyes, not in a dream presented to his imagination, but in a vision presented to his sight; for his greater satisfaction, it carried its own evidence along with it. He called him by his name, Cornelius, to intimate the particular notice God took of him. Cornelius was confused; When he looked on him he was afraid. The wisest and best men have been struck with fear upon the appearance of any extra-ordinary messenger from heaven; and justly, for sinful man knows that he has no reason to expect any good tidings, and therefore Cornelius cries, "What is it, Lord? What is the matter?" This he speaks as one afraid of something amiss, and longing to be eased of that fear, by knowing the truth; or as one desirous to know the mind of God, and ready to comply with it, as Joshua: What saith my Lord unto his servant? And Samuel: Speak, for thy servant heareth.
In the message sent to him he is assured that God accepts him in walking according to the light he had: “Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.”
He is appointed to enquire after a further discovery of divine grace, now lately made to the world, Ac 10:5-6. He must send a messenger to Joppa, and enquire for one Simon Peter; he was staying at the house of one Simon a tanner; his house is by the sea side, and, if he is sent for, he will come; and when he comes he will tell me what to do, in answer to the question, What is it, Lord? Cornelius prays and gives alms in the fear of God, is religious himself and keeps up religion in his family, and all this so as to be accepted of God in it.
He immediately complied with these orders. He sent two of his household servants, who both feared God, and a devout soldier, one of those that waited on him continually, to Joppa, to bring Peter to him. Had he been concerned, only for himself he would have gone to Joppa himself. But he had a family, kinsmen, and friends, a little congregation of them that could not go with him. As soon as the angel which spoke to him had departed, without dispute or delay, he was obedient to the heavenly vision. He perceived, by what the angel said, he was to have some further work prescribed him, and he longed to have it revealed to him.