Homily 23 on the Acts of the Apostles

Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And the morrow after they entered into Cæsarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

He called them in, and lodged them. Good, that first he gives the men friendly treatment, after the fatigue of their journey, and makes them at home with him; and on the morrow, sets out with them. And certain accompany him: this too as Providence ordered it, that they should be witnesses afterwards when Peter would need to justify himself. And Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. This is the part of a friend, this the part of a devout man, that where such blessings are concerned, he takes care that his near friends shall be made partakers of all. Of course (his near friends), those in whom he had ever full confidence; fearing, with such an interest at stake, to entrust the matter to others. In my opinion, it was by Cornelius himself that both friends and kinsmen had been brought to a better mind. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. Acts 10:25 This, both to teach the others, and by way of giving thanks to God, and showing his own humility: thereby making it plain, that though he had been commanded, yet in himself he had great piety. What then did Peter? But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. Acts 10:26 Do you mark how, before all else (the Apostles) teach them this lesson, not to think great things of them? And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that had come together. And he said unto them, You know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God has showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. (God, and points out to them that it is a great grace that God has shown them. Observe also how while he utters great things, at the same time he speaks modestly. For he does not say, We, being men who do not deign to keep company with any (such), have come to you: but what says he? You know— God commanded this — that it is against law to keep company with, or come unto, one of another nation. Then he goes on to say, And to me God has shown— this he says, that none may account the thanks due to him— that I should call no man— that it may not look like obsequiousness to him, no human being, says he— common or unclean. Acts 10:29 Wherefore also— that they may not think the affair a breach of the law on his part, nor (Cornelius) suppose that because he was in a station of command therfore he had complied, but that they may ascribe all to God—wherefore also I came without gainsaying as soon as I was sent for: (though) not only to keep company, but even to come unto (him) was not permitted. I ask therefore, for what intent you have sent for me. Already Peter had heard the whole matter from the soldiers also, but he wishes them first to confess, and to make them amenable to the Faith. What then does Cornelius? He does not say, Why, did not the soldiers tell you? But observe again, how humbly he speaks. For he says, From the fourth day I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. And at the ninth hour, he says, I was praying. (From the fourth day. See how great a thing prayer is! When he advanced in piety, then the Angel appears to him. From the fourth day: i.e. of the week; not four days ago. For, on the morrow Peter went away with them, and on the morrow after they entered into Cæsarea: this is one day: and the day on which the persons sent came (to Joppa) one day: and on the third (the Angel) appeared: so that there are two days after that on which (Cornelius) had been praying. And, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing: he does not say, an Angel, so unassuming is he: and said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter: he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the seaside: who, when he comes, shall speak unto you. Immediately therefore I sent to you; and you have well done that you have come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded you of God. Acts 10:31-33 (b) See what faith, what piety! He knew that it was no word of man that Peter spoke, when he said, God has shown me. Then says the man, We are present to hear all things that are commanded you of the Lord. (a) Therefore it was that Peter asked, For what intent have ye sent for me? on purpose that he might so speak these very words. (d) Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respector of persons: but in every nation he that fears Him, and works righteousness, is acceptable to him. (circumcised. (c) This also Paul declaring, says, For there is no respect of persons with God. Romans 2:11 (e) What then? (it may be asked) is the man yonder in Persia acceptable to Him? If he be worthy, in this regard he is acceptable, that it should be granted him to be brought unto faith (τᾥ καταξιωθἥναι τῆς πίστεως). The Eunuch from Ethiopia He overlooked not. What shall one say then of the religious men who have been overlooked? It is not the case, that any (such) ever was overlooked. But what he says is to this effect, that God rejects no man. In every nation, he that fears God and works righteousness: (by righteousness) he means, all virtue. Mark, how he subdues all elation of mind in him. That (the Jews) may not seem to be in the condition of persons cast off (he adds), The word which He sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all Acts 10:36: this he says also for the sake of those present (of the Jews), that He may persuade them also: this is why he forces Cornelius to speak. He, says he, is Lord of all. But observe at the very outset, The word, says he, which He sent unto the children of Israel; he gives them the preëminence. Then he adduces (these Gentiles) themselves as witnesses: ye know, says he, the matter which came to pass throughout all Judea, beginning at Galilee— then he confirms it from this also— after the baptism which John preached Acts 10:37— even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Ghost and with power. Acts 10:38 He does not mean, You know Jesus, for they did not know Him, but he speaks of the things done by Him: Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil: by this he shows that many cases of lost senses or paralyzed limbs are the devil’s work, and a wrench given to the body by him: as also Christ said. For God was with Him. Again, lowly terms. And we are witnesses of all things which He did, both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem Acts 10:39: both we, says he, and you. Then the Passion, and the reason why they do not believe: Whom also they slew, and hanged on a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and showed Him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. (proof of the Resurrection. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. Acts 10:42 This is great. Then he adduces the testimony from the Prophets: To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name, whosoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins. Acts 10:43 This is a proof of that which was about to be: this is the reason why he here cites the Prophets.

But let us look over again what relates to Cornelius. (Recapitulation.) He sent, it says, to Joppa to fetch Peter. He was waiting for him, etc; see how fully he believed that Peter would certainly come: (b) and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. (a) Mark how on every side it is shown how worthy he is! (So) the Eunuch there desired Philip to come up and sit in the chariot Acts 8:31, although not knowing who he was, upon no other introduction (ἐ παγγελίας) than that given by the Prophet. But here Cornelius fell at his feet. (c) Stand up, I myself also am a man. Acts 10:26 Observe how free from adulation his speech is on all occasions, and how full of humility. And conversing with him, he came in. (a) Acts 10:27 Conversing about what? I suppose saying these words: I myself also am a man. (e) Do you mark (Peter’s) unassuming temper? He himself also shows that his coming is God’s doing: You know that it is unlawful for a man that is a Jew, etc. Acts 10:28 And why did he not speak of the linen sheet? Observe Peter’s freedom from all vainglory: but, that he is sent of God, this indeed he mentions; of the manner in which he was sent, he speaks not at present; when the need has arisen, seeing he had said, You know that it is unlawful for a man that is a Jew to keep company with, or to come unto, one of another nation, he simply adds, but to me God has shown, etc. There is nothing of vainglory here. All you, he says, know. He makes their knowledge stand surety for him. But Cornelius says, We are present before God to hear all things that are commanded you of the Lord Acts 10:33: not, Before man, but, Before God. This is the way one ought to attend to God’s servants. Do you see his awakened mind? Do you see how worthy he was of all these things? And Peter, it says, opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. Acts 10:34 This he said also by way of justifying himself with the Jews then present. For, being at the point to commit the Word to these (Gentiles), he first puts this by way of apology. What then? Was He a respecter of persons beforetime? God forbid! For beforetime likewise it was just the same: Every one, as he says, that fears Him, and works righteousness, would be acceptable to Him. As when Paul says, For when the Gentiles which have not the Law, do by nature the things of the Law. Romans 2:14 That fears God and works righteousness: he assumes both doctrine and manner of life: is accepted with Him; for, if He did not overlook the Magi, nor the Ethiopian, nor the thief, nor the harlot, much more them that work righteousness, and are willing, shall He in anywise not overlook. What say you then to this, that there are likely persons (ἐ πιεικεἵς), men of mild disposition, and yet they will not believe? (Above, p. 149, note 2.) Lo, you have yourself named the cause: they will not. But besides the likely person he here speaks of is not this sort of man, but the man that works righteousness: that is, the man who in all points is virtuous and irreproachable, when he has the fear of God as he ought to have it. But whether a person be such, God only knows. See how this man was acceptable: see how, as soon as he heard, he was persuaded. Yes, and now too, say you, every one would be persuaded, be who he may. But the signs that are now, are much greater than those, and more wonderful.— Then Peter commences his teaching, and reserves for the Jews the privilege of their birth. The word, he says, which He sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace Acts 10:36, not bringing judgment. He is sent to the Jews also: yet for all this He did not spare them. Preaching peace through Jesus Christ. He is Lord of all. First he discourses of His being Lord and in exceeding elevated terms, seeing he had to deal with a soul more than commonly elevated, and that took all in with ardor. Then he proves how He was Lord of all, from the things which He achieved throughout all Judea. For you know, says he, the matter which came to pass throughout all Judea: and, what is the wonderful part of it, beginning at Galilee: after the baptism which John preached. Acts 10:37 First he speaks of His success, and then again he says concerning Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Why, what a stumbling-block, this birthplace! How God anointed Him with the Holy Ghost and with power. Acts 10:38 Then again the proof— how does that appear?— from the good that He did. Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil: and the greatness of the power shown when He overcomes the devil; and the cause, Because God was with Him. Therefore also the Jews spoke thus: We know that You are a teacher come from God: for none can do these miracles except God be with him. John 3:2 Then, when he has shown that He was sent from God, he next speaks of this, that He was slain: that you may not imagine anything absurd. Do you see how far they are from hiding the Cross out of view, nay, that together with the other circumstances they put also the manner? Whom also, it says, they slew by hanging on a tree. And gave Him, it is added, to be made manifest not to all the people, but to witnesses before ordained of God, even unto us: and yet it was (Christ) Himself that elected them; but this also he refers to God. To the before-ordained, he says, even to us, who ate and drank with Him after that He was risen from the dead. (To testify, says he— in a manner calculated to alarm— that they may not have it in their power to fall back upon the excuse of ignorance: and he does not say, that He is the Son of God, but, what would most alarm them, that it is He which is ordained of God, to be the Judge of quick and dead. Acts 10:42 To him give all the Prophets witness, etc. Acts 10:43 When by the terror he has agitated them, then he brings in the pardon, not spoken from himself but from the Prophets. And what is terrifying is from him, what is mild from the Prophets.

All you that have received this forgiveness, all you to whom it has been vouchsafed to attain unto faith, learn, I beseech you, the greatness of the Gift, and study not to be insolent to your Benefactor. For we obtained forgiveness, not that we should become worse, but to make us far better and more excellent. Let none say that God is the cause of our evil doings, in that He did not punish, nor take vengeance. If (as it is said) a ruler having taken a murderer, lets him go, say, is he (not) judged to be the cause of the murders afterwards committed? See then, how we expose God to the tongues of the wicked. For what do they not say, what leave unuttered? (God) Himself, say they, allowed them; for he ought to have punished them as they deserved, not to honor them, nor crown them, nor admit them to the foremost privileges, but to punish and take vengeance upon them: but he that, instead of this, honors them, has made them to be such as they are. Do not, I beseech and implore you, do not let any man utter such speech as far as we are concerned. Better to be buried ten thousand times over, than that God through us should be so spoken of! The Jews, we read, said to (Christ) Himself, Thou that destroyest the Temple, and in three days buildest it up, come down from the Cross Matthew 27:40: and again, If Thou be the Son of God: but the reproaches here are more grievous than those, that through us He should be called a teacher of wickedness! Let us cause the very opposite to be said, by having our conversation worthy of Him that calls us, and (worthily) approaching to the baptism of adoption. For great indeed is the might of baptism (φωτίσματου): it makes them quite other men than they were, that partake of the gift; it does not let the men be men (and nothing more). Make thou the Gentile (τὸν