There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. (Acts 10:1-2)

A Devout Man Who Was Lost

To be devout is to be devoted to a pursuit or movement. A devout football fan is “religious” about their fanaticism towards a team. In the business world, an employee can be a devoted team member, spending many hours on the job. Primarily, a devout person is identified by their deep faith in a religious movement, identifying them as a spiritual and religious person seeking an eternal reward.

The gospel writer Luke tells the story of a devout man in the days of the early church that was a model example of a spiritually religious soul. What made the man unusual was that he was a member of the Roman Army, serving in a regiment composed of soldiers from Italy. As a centurion, Cornelius commanded a division in the Roman army consisting of one hundred men. He was a man of great authority and responsibility. Stationed in the region of Palestine was not the most glamorous posting.

Luke describes Cornelius as an amazing person. He calls the centurion a devout man. A profoundly religious belief characterized his life. Cornelius feared God as the only true God in a world that more commonly accepted the worship of multiple gods. This trait alone would have separated Cornelius from many of his fellow officers, commanders, and soldiers under his command. The fear of God also characterized the family of Cornelius. As the leader of his home, he was leading his family to believe in the one true God. He was very generous, giving alms to the people and caring for the poor. The benevolence of the family of Cornelius blessed the community of Caesarea.

As a God-fearing man, Cornelius was a man of prayer. He prayed regularly to God. His home was an altar of prayer to the Lord God. The life of the Roman centurion was guided by a humble spirit of piety toward God in his words, deeds, and heart. Everyone who knew Cornelius recognized a man as religiously devout as any other man. The impression left by the example of Cornelius was profound. To anyone looking at the home of the Roman centurion, all would accept the fact that Cornelius was on the right track and bound for salvation.

The Holy Spirit had a different view of Cornelius. Everything Luke said about the man was true to his nature, but one essential key was missing in the life of Cornelius and his household. They were not saved by the blood of Christ and were not children of God. For all the good works the family did and all the prayers lifted by Cornelius and his family, they were not saved. An outward expression of being devout does not mean a person is saved. Salvation does not come from the religious acts of a devout man. To be redeemed is to be bought by the blood of Jesus Christ; Cornelius and his household had never experienced that saving grace.

An angel comes to Cornelius and instructs him to send to Joppa for a man named Peter. When the apostle Peter recounts the story later, he tells the Jerusalem church how an angel had appeared to Cornelius in his home and had told him to send messengers to Joppa and summon Peter and that Peter would tell them what to do to be saved. According to Peter, Cornelius and his household were lost. He went to Cornelius’s home to share the gospel so they could know what to do to be saved. As religious as the household of Cornelius was, they were still lost in their sins. Only after Peter came and taught them the gospel of Jesus Christ and baptized them in water for the remission of their sins did Cornelius and his household find salvation.

Being religious will not save. Having a good heart will not save. Going to church and being pious will not save. Salvation is not determined by the devout heart doing the right things. Jesus taught that calling Him “Lord” will not save a man if he refuses to do the will of the Father. Obedience is demanded for salvation; without an obedient heart, there is no salvation. Cornelius stands as a monument to those who think they are saved because they are religious but are lost because they have not done the will of the Father. Love the Lord and keep His commandments.