Cornelius the Centurion

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.
==Biblical account==
Stationed in Caesarea, the capital of Iudaea province, Cornelius is depicted in the New Testament as a God-fearing man who always prayed and was 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 () himself; in Simon Peter's vision, he sees all manner of four-footed beasts and birds of the air being lowered from Heaven in a sheet. 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 (), but has its roots in the concept of "proselytes" in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Jewish Bible) and Jewish Noahide Law.
==Significance==
It is believed that Cornelius was centurion in Cohors II Italica Civium Romanorum, mentioned as Cohors Italica in the Vulgate.Geoffrey W. Bromiley, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1979, p. 297
The Catholic Encyclopedia summarizes the importance of Cornelius' baptism as follows:
==Role in tradition==
Certain traditions hold Cornelius as becoming either the first bishop of Caesarea or the bishop of Scepsis in Mysia. His feast day on the Roman calendar is 2 February.
== Cultural references ==
*Cornelius is a main character in several works of literature, including Sholem Asch's novel The Nazarene (1939).
*Cornelius is also the title and subject of a song by the Christian Rock/Pop band Newsboys.
==References==
==External links==
*Catholic Encyclopedia: Cornelius
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Category:Eastern Orthodox saints
Category:Cultural assimilation
Category:New Testament people
Category:1st-century Christian saints
Category:Ancient Roman soldiers