William Meador - Cornelius the Centurion. The Third Trumpet Series, Book 3

The Third Trumpet

Book III - Cornelius The Centurion

William Meador

Edited by Robert and Rennis Russell

and Mary Williams

Cover Design by Chris Hieb

Authors Publishing House

Midland, Texas

The Third Trumpet

Book III - Cornelius the Centurion

Copyright 2012 by William Meador

All rights reserved. Copying or reproducing by any mechanical, photographic, or electronic processes, or in the form of any phonographic recording, shall violate the copyright. No transmitting or copying for public or private use is allowed, other than as brief quotations embodied in articles and/or reviews, without the express written permission of the author and publisher.

ISBN-13: 9781625170323

DEDICATION

To those who plow...

To those who sow...

To those who harvest.

And to those who love.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Taken fromThe Holy Bible, New International Version

1978 by New York International Bible Society

Grand Rapids, MI: The Zondervan Corporation, 1978

ACTS - CHAPTER 10 - VERSES 1- 8

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, Cornelius!

Cornelius stared at him in fear. What is it, Lord? he asked.

The angel answered, Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a remembrance before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.

When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and one of his soldiers who was a devout man. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.

ACTS CHAPTER 10 VERSES 23-48

Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. Stand up, he said, I am only a man myself.

Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?

Cornelius answered: Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea. So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.

Then Peter began to speak: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. This is the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached - how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen - by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Then Peter said, Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

INTRODUCTION

Under the Caesars, the Roman Empire expanded and grew, yet in all of its glory the Roman way did not bring peace or tranquility to the people. The people sought peace of mind, heart and soul, but did not find these things under the Golden Eagle. Their search for tranquility in material objects, the circus, gladiatorial contests or pagan gods also failed them.

During this period of history, with the stage set, the coming of the Messiah and the spread of Christianity occurred. Roma built roads tying the empire together. With the empire in place, the greater percentage of the people spoke one common language. The Roma Empire enjoyed open travel, trade and exchange or ideas. Law, order and an uneasy peace ruled most of the Empire. More importantly the people were hungry for, and more than ready to hear and receive the teachings of the Man from Galilee. They thirsted for the peace that passes all understanding.

This man, this God, this Savior, Jesus, touched many lives. One of those lives Christ touched was Cornelius.

This is the story of the man, Cornelius, and his adventure from pagan lad to a man of God. This is the story of many who search, yearn and desire to know the one and only living God". It is the path all men of wisdom and compassion will seek and follow. It is the path of those who seek the plan of God in their lives. It is the path for lost men to find their salvation in the one and only living God.

So, now walk with Cornelius and his companions, who suffered slavery, bitter weather, the whip, and war. Their path will lead them from the far north of the Empire to the desert of Sinai, through the halls and Palaces of Roma to the hovels of the Bedouins and from the brink of hell in the copper mines to the portals of heaven. All of these things happened because of their yearning for the one God. Thus, their lives changed.

During the research and writing of this story, Cornelius became a close and dear friend to the author. Finally, as you read, Cornelius will become your friend, companion and fellow searcher. If you drink of this cup, like Cornelius and his friends, you will be changed forever. If you drink of this cup, you must drink all of it.

The author drank from the sweet cup of salvation long ago, but in these pages, the author like David the king, found the joy of his salvation restored.

Now, listen for the trumpets!