Best Kind of Congregation: Acts 10:33

In Acts 10:34 – 43 we are given an overview of Peter’s sermon to Cornelius (Roman Centurion) and his gathered friends and family. Cornelius had a vision to send for Peter and Peter had a vision to go with Cornelius’ messengers. As Peter arrived at Cornelius’ home, there was a crowd gathered. This crowd were the people Cornelius had invited to come hear God’s message as told by Peter.

I was struck by the description of these congregated people found in verse 33 as mentioned by one of the commentators in my notes on Chapter 10. This commentator said that this was, “the best kind of congregation a preacher can have.” And went on to describe them for us. Before I get into the commentators description, let’s look at verse 33:

“And so I [Cornelius] sent to you [Peter] immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

At first I didn’t see anything significant in this verse. Cornelius, in fact, is describing the spirit in which this group of people gathered. The commentator (Spurgeon) breaks it down for us. This describes what we should be like in our church congregations or wherever Christians are meeting together.

First, “Peter’s congregation was unbroken.” Taken from the phrase “we are all here,” it means that they had come together with the specific purpose of hearing God’s message. They weren’t scattered or wandering around. They were an unbroken group. Possibly also meaning that they were all of one mind.

Second, the group was “devout,” taken from the phrase “present before God.” When I looked up the word in several dictionaries some common descriptions came up. One said, “Having or showing a deep religious feeling or commitment.” Another said, “loyal to something : devoted to a particular belief, organization, person, etc. : serious and sincere.” I’m getting a sense that these people were not uninterested bystanders. They were devout to what they knew about God, mostly from studying the Old Testament. They were ready to hear a message from God. They were prepared.

Third, they were “attentive.” In the King James Version of the Bible it says, “to hear all things.” They were not daydreaming or talking among themselves. They were eagerly waiting to listen to Peter. They were not distracted by their own concerns or problems. They were set to be attentive to what Peter had to say.

And, finally, they were “teachable, for they desired to know  “all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” The commanded implies they were ready to obey. Many of these people were probably soldiers under Cornelius’ leadership. They understood the meaning of “commanded” and they were ready to do whatever was necessary to obey the Lord. There is a definite willingness to obey.

So, I can’t make everyone in my church have these four characteristics, but I can be prepared to have a spirit like those gathered at Cornelius’ home: Unbroken (unity), devout, attentive, and teachable. I can do my part and maybe show by example the spirit with which we should approach our Sunday celebrations.