“The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.” Six brothers travelled with Peter to the home of Cornelius (Acts 11:12). Why the six went with him we are not told. It could be because they were travelling to Caesarea which was where the Roman army was based in Israel and they believed that Peter was in danger. To the Jew, they were entering enemy territory. Perhaps the six wanted to be with Peter to protect him? It would seem likely that Peter, while knowing the possible threat, was not afraid. It is very possible that the six felt an obligation to protect this blessed Apostle. We know from how Peter had acted since Pentecost that he was not terrified but more than willing to make the journey whatever the risk. But as brothers do, we love and protect each other.
“The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.” Family, Cornelius was about to receive from God what he had most ardently prayed for, the knowledge of the identity of God and what God would have him do to be right with Him. It is an ageless question to mankind. Is there a God? Is so who is He and what does He want from us? Cornelius had received a message from God, through an angel, that God was going to give him answers. He was excited and had called together relatives and friends. He was going to receive some good news and he wanted everyone who would come to also hear and know it. That is how all who know the good news should feel about it. We should all want everyone we know to at least hear, and hopefully embrace, the Good News.
“As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”” It was the custom of the pagans of Rome, and of the pagan religions of the world, to fall at the feet and worship someone deemed to be of God. Cornelius was doing as he had been raised to do. He fell to his knees to pay homage to Peter. If Peter had a ring he would have kissed it. It was and is today a pagan way of paying respect to those considered godly. However, Peter was quick to stand him up and to tell him to not kneel at his feet. He told Cornelius that he too was only a man. Peter knew that we are to worship God only, not his messengers, even if the messenger is a mighty and brilliantly shining angel (Revelation 19:10, 22:8-9). Any man holding any position who receives worship that only belongs to God does so wrongly. Any man that would dip into the bowl of worship that belongs only to God is committing a grave sin. No man should receive the worship that belongs only to God. If any person, whether a person on radio or television, or a person holding a high position, accepts the worship that belongs to God, we must run away from such a person. Or lovingly correct them, if they are humble and will receive correction. We kneel only before God and we only worship Him.
This Roman knelt before Peter in acknowledgement of him as a man of God. He should not have done so, but he did it in ignorance with a right heart. It is right to believe that he did it to honor Peter the man of God, but ultimately as a way to honor God who sent Peter. So the practice was wrong but Cornelius had long shown a good heart. Let’s be gracious, kind and loving to the uniformed and the informed. Let’s love each other. Let us not be proud. It is easy to lift someone up from their physical knees while wholly accepting and desiring people to be on their spiritual knees before us. God forbid! We are all only servants of God. Only to God does all the worship belong. To Him, and Him alone! Praise God for all the good things He has done for us. Worship God because of who He is. He is God and there is no other! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.