Msg #2622 A Certain Centurion in Caesarea

Msg #2622 A Certain Centurion in Caesarea

What The Bible Says
Good Samaritan’s Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

In the wide margin of my Scofield Reference Bible, I have drawn four “MEN WORKING” signs with the “MEN” crossed out and “GOD” scratched in: one where Philip goes to Caesarea (Acts.8:40), one where Saul goes to Caesarea (Acts.9:30), one where a certain centurion is in Caesarea (Acts.10:1), and one where Peter leaves Joppa and goes to Caesarea (Acts.10:24).

Herod “the Great” (37-4 B.C.) built Caesarea, and, aiming for political leverage, named it after Caesar Augustus (B.C.63–14A.D.), founder of the Roman empire. There he built four engineering wonders of the world; a 4000 seat amphitheater; a chariot racing arena for 20,000 spectators (with public toilets); his own Promontory Palace with a freshwater swimming pool and man-made sea harbors; and a 7 mile aqueduct carrying approximately 2 million gallons of freshwater per day into Caesarea! In this center of Gentile hedonism, we find a Cornelius, “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway” (Acts.10:1–2). In this city entirely devoted to the pursuit of pleasure and self-gratification, where the Gentile world prioritized and maximized sensual and physical gratification above all else, the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is about to break in on a certain centurion named Cornelius, a devout man who feared God with all his house, and prayed to God alway. That is God at work, and it is to rock the Gentile world forever.

There is likely a place in your life where you could hang one of those signs, and probably a place or two where you haven’t yet crossed off “MEN” and scratched in “GOD.” God bless you as you do.

An Essay for week #22 May 31, 2026
Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs260531.mp3
Journaled Israel Tours www.GSBaptistChurch.com/israel23
Read the Penny Pulpits in blog www.gsbcpastorrice.wordpress.com

Copyright © 2026 Good Samaritan Baptist Church, All Public Domain, Freely Copy and Distribute.
A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit
Our mailing address is:
Good Samaritan Baptist Church
54 Main St. Box 99
Dresden, NY 14441