Men of Renown

The Heroes and Villains of the Bible

Who are we?

 We existed throughout the Roman empire ◦ (107BC onwards)  We held honorary positions in society  There we 60 of us throughout Judaea  We held the highest Military appointed rank  We are mentioned 22 times in the New Testament  One of us was the first Gentile Christian  One of us was present at the crucifixion of Jesus  We commanded over 100 men each  We are…

A Roman Centurion The Roman Centurion

 Centurion “Latin: centurio” ◦ Commander of 100 men  (most commanded between 60-80 men)

 Matthew 8:5-8 (Luke 7:1-10) 5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. Roman Centurions in the NT

1. The Centurion with the sick servant ◦ Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10 2. The Centurion present at Jesus’ Crucifixion ◦ Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39-45, Luke 23:47 3. Cornelius the Gentile Christian ◦ Acts 10 4. The Centurions in the garrison at Jerusalem ◦ Acts 22,23 5. Pauls keeper at Caesarea ◦ Acts 24:23 6. Pauls Centurion escort to Rome ◦ Acts 27,28

The Centurion in Luke 7

 “He was worthy for whom he should do this” ◦ For he loveth our nation ◦ He hath built us a synagogue ◦ Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof ◦ say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

 Jesus’ response ◦ “I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel” Cornelius (Acts 10)

 A devout man,  One that feared God with all his house,  Gave much alms to the people,  Prayed to God alway.  Knew that it was an unlawful thing for Jews to keep company with Gentiles

Comparing the Centurions

 God fearing Men  Prayed to God  Very generous to the People  Respectful of Jewish custom  Great in their faith

The Proposal

 Cornelius could well have been the Centurion in Luke chapter 7  There is no evidence to suggest that a Centurion was ever posted in Galilee  There was time enough for Jesus to be: ◦ Notified of the Centurions trouble ◦ Have his arrival announced ◦ Stop him before he made it to the Centurions house  Capernaum is 33km from Nain ◦ (Jesus arrived at Nain the following day)  Caesarea is 100km from Capernaum

Summary

 There is not enough evidence to say for a fact that the Centurion from Luke 7 was Cornelius  The Centurion had a greater faith than Jesus had found in all Israel  Cornelius was chosen as the first Gentile to receive Christianity  It is a plausible case that these 2 might have been one and the same