Cornelius, What A Volunteer!

Volunteerism and community involvement is highly regarded in our communities throughout our nation. Many among us do good deeds. We use our vehicles to take people places. Perhaps we volunteer at a school, hospital or jail. Maybe some offer to take care of children, clean someone's house and/or yard or help feed the homeless. There are some who will paint or do repairs on a house or car for free or at a very low fee. Some give gifts of money and clothing to those in need. The Bible tells us about a devout man. He was a serious man of prayer. He is known for helping others. Would I call him a volunteer? Yes I would. He volunteered to share his time and money with others. He is an example for every Christian. The ironic aspect of his life is that he was an example for Christians everywhere, before he was ever a Christian. he was not a Jew, either. He was a Gentile. His name was Cornelius. Most of us are familiar with the story of the first Gentile convert to the Christian Church. It is related to us in the 10th chapter of the Book of Acts. What a gentleman he was, this respected officer of the Roman Army. And, depending on which version of the Bible one is reading, a centurion of the Italian band, regiment or cohort. It is believed he was in charge of 100 men, but perhaps more. Rome had conquered Judea, Galilee and Samaria 60 years before the birth of Jesus. From that time, Jews had ceased to be free. The Jews had never fully believed that they were a part of the Roman Empire, therefore, from time to time, they would resist Roman authority. For this reason, Rome had to constantly keep military troops in and around the Jewish nation to keep them from outright rebellion. Most Roman soldiers and their officers felt superior to the people they had conquered. They viewed most other people, and their ways of life as being inferior. Romans thought they were the superior civilization and they were extremely arrogant.