Cornelius
Peopleâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Cornelius was a Roman centurion of Italian descent, recognized for his piety and generosity, who is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles as the first Gentile to receive the Holy Spirit and join the early Christian community.
What is the meaning of Cornelius in the Bible?
Cornelius was a Roman centurion of Italian descent, recognized for his piety and generosity, who is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles as the first Gentile to receive the Holy Spirit and join the early Christian community.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Cornelius clarifies the narrative shift in the Acts of the Apostles where the Christian message expands beyond the Jewish community to include Gentiles, highlighting the theological basis for universal inclusion in the early church.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.