“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all . . . All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, ‘Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’ So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.” –Acts 10:34–48
If we’re in ministry for very long, we’ve met a Cornelius. A Cornelius is honorable, socially and spiritually conscious, and well intentioned, but not in relationship with Jesus Christ. About six years ago I met one. Dominik, a young entrepreneur I mentor near Frankfurt, said, “Tom, there’s a really great guy named Daniel who could definitely benefit from meeting you.”
“Why is that?” I asked
“Well, he grew up in East Germany, spent time in Montana on a foreign exchange program, and is now working in Munich away from his family as the assistant to a Nobel Laureate running social projects in various countries in Africa and Asia.
I replied, “Alright, set it up.”
Two days later I drove the four hours to Munich, assuming Daniel was also Dominik’s ministry friend seeking mentoring. That evening, I picked Daniel up outside his impressive office building. To my surprise, a tall, handsome younger man opened the car door, and inquired, “Tom?”
I responded, “Daniel? I’m Tom, nice to meet you. Dominik said I need to meet Daniel.”
“Yes”, he replied, “He also said I need to meet Tom.”
As we drove off to dinner, I asked, “So, what would you like to talk about?”
He rattled off a litany of particular personal struggles, mostly regarding work/family life balance. Then he said, “But I would really like to get better at prayer.”
“Oh, well, that’s understandable. I highly recommend that,” I replied tongue in cheek. “What would you like help with?”
“Well,” he said, “Dominik seems to get great benefit from it, and I’d like to learn how to pray to his God.”
At that point, what I assumed would be another ministry mentoring appointment, completely flipped on its head. I replied, “Right, and who would you say Dominik’s God is?”
“Well, I’m not sure, but I think it’s the God of the Bible.”
After four hours of working through and responding to his questions about philosophy, and world, biblical, and Church history, we left the pub and took a stroll down a riverside path. I said, “Daniel, would you like for Dominik’s God to be your God, so that when you talk to him, you can hear him answering back, and begin experiencing the abundant life you see in Dominik?”
“Yes, I think so.” And right there on that riverbank he asked the Lord Jesus into his life.
I recognized in that experience Peter’s Acts 10 confession, and what I call the Cornelius principle. When we desire to do what is right—that is, to be rightly oriented to God and the world, in whatever limited understanding we have—God honors that desire. God reminded me that day that anyone, even people I’d almost given up on—such as an educated, successful, young, hip, European agnostic—if they fear God, and do what is right, are acceptable to him. And we should expect God will send us, you and me, across the planet, or just four hours down the road, to share his good news to such persons when we least expect it. So…
Lord, what prejudices keep me from recognizing the Corneliuses in my purview?
Lord of the Harvest, open my eyes to see Corneliuses, give me your message, and send me to them.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Serving in Novo since 2002, Tom Middleton DIS, bases with his family in the foothills outside Denver, Colorado, mentoring mission entrepreneurs primarily in Western Europe, Southern Africa, and North America. Tom helped start the Glasgow, Scotland team 2003 – 2004, and based out of London from 2007 – 2010, serving as the Western Europe Regional Director from 2009 – 2012.