Captain Kornelius
The captain Kornelius (Cornelius) was according to the description in the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Bible a Roman centurion in Caesarea Maritima . He is considered to be one of the first non-Jews to be baptized Christian .
Biblical story
Its story takes place some time after Pentecost , after the early Jerusalem community was founded and already had several thousand ( Acts 2,41 EU ) Jewish members.
The Bible describes Cornelius and his relatives as godly and benevolent ( Acts 10.2 EU ). He apparently had this judgment also from the Jews in his environment ( Acts 10.22 EU ). According to the biblical story, he met an angel who asked him to bring the apostle Simon Peter over to hear a message from him ( Acts 10.22 EU and 10.33 EU )
The apostle Simon Peter was also convinced in a vision ( Acts 10: 9-16 EU ) that the message of salvation also applies to the Gentiles . Until then, he had assumed that it only applied to the Jews (cf. Mt 15:24 EU ). Peter then allowed himself to be led into Cornelius' house by servants. Cornelius prostrated himself before Peter, but the latter did not allow him to worship him ( Acts 10.25 EU ).
While Peter was preaching ( Acts 10.34 EU ), the Holy Spirit fell on all listeners. That this also happened to non-Jews is presented as a great surprise for Peter and his Jewish companions ( Acts 10.45 EU ). Peter then ordered Cornelius, his friends and relatives ( Acts 10.24 EU ) to be baptized ( Acts 10.48 EU ). According to the biblical record, Cornelius is the first Roman Gentile Christian . Two chapters earlier, in Acts 8:34, the conversion and baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch is reported.
Later Peter refers to these experiences twice ( Acts 11 EU and 15 EU ). Both cases are about conflicts due to Jewish traditions in the early community.
Theological and historical importance
Cornelius marks the beginning of the so-called heathen mission .
The equality of Jews and Gentiles was revealed to the apostle Peter, who was only able to enforce the new point of view with the help of Paul and James ( Acts 15 EU ).
According to later tradition, Cornelius became bishop of Caesarea and was martyred. He is venerated as a saint . His feast day is October 20th in the Catholic Church and September 13th in the Orthodox Church.
See also
literature
- Peter Hoeft: The Captain of Caesarea . St.-Johannis-Druckerei, Lahr-Dinglingen 1988, ISBN 3-501-00390-0 (TELOS library; 533).
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Captain Kornelius |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Roman officer, first non-Jew baptized according to the New Testament |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1st century |
| DATE OF DEATH | 1st century |