A Memorial before G-d

Acts 9, Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band. His name is a Latin name, and shows that the man was doubtless a Roman, a gentile, a religious man, or a pious man. The original expresses the idea of good reputation, well received, or of high standing among the people, one who maintained the worship of
G-d.
Cornelius was a very generous man that gave much alms, and he was in the regular habit of praying to G-d. It is evident here that Cornelius instructed his family, and exerted his influence to train them in the fear of G-d. True piety will always lead a man to seek the salvation of his family.
In a vision around 3 p.m. an angel was sent to signify to Cornelius that his alms were accepted by G-d as an evidence of his piety, and to direct him to send for Peter to instruct him in the way of salvation. The importance of the occasion was the introduction of the gospel to a Gentile, and hence to the entire Gentile world.
At the suddenness and unexpected character of the vision he became frighten and the angel said to him:
Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before G-d.
Though he had not offered sacrifice according to the Jewish Laws--though he had not been circumcised--yet, having acted according to the light which he had, his prayers were heard, and his alms accepted. This was done in accordance with the general principle of the Divine administration, that G-d prefers the offering of the heart, to external forms; the expressions of love, to sacrifice without it.
This is the first time recorded that the Father acknowledged publicly prayers and alms from a Gentile!
It should be remembered, however, that Cornelius was not depending on external morality. His heart was in the work of religion. It should be remembered, further, that he was ready to receive the gospel when it was offered to him, and to become a Christian. In this there was an important difference between him and those who are depending for salvation on their morality in Christian lands. Such men are apt to defend themselves by the example of Cornelius, and to suppose that as he was accepted before he embraced the gospel, so they may be without embracing it.
But there is an important difference in the two cases.
1. There is no evidence that Cornelius was depending on external morality for salvation. His offering was that of the heart, and not merely an external offering. Moral men in Christian lands depend on their external morality in the sight of men. But G-d looks upon the heart.
2. Cornelius did not rely on his morality at all. His was a work of religion. He feared G-d; he prayed to Him; he exerted his influence to bring his family to the same state. Moral men do neither. All their works they do to be "seen of men;" and in their heart there is "no good thing towards the L-rd G-d of Israel." 1 Kings 14:13; 2 Chronicles 19:3. Who hears of a man that "fears G-d," and that prays, and that instructs his household in religion, that depends on his morality for salvation?
3. Cornelius was disposed to do the will of G-d, as far as it was made known to him. Where this exists there is religion. The moral man is not.
4. Cornelius was willing to embrace a Savior, when he was made known to him. The moral man is not. He hears of a Savior with unconcern; he listens to the message of G-d's mercy from year to year without embracing it. In all this there is an important difference between him and the Roman centurion; and while we hope there may be many in pagan lands who are in the same state of mind that he was --disposed to do the will of G-d as far as made known, and therefore accepted and saved by His mercy in the Y’Shua HaMashiach--yet this cannot be adduced to encourage the hope of salvation in those who do know His will, and yet will not do it.
He that believed the promise of the Messiah must now believe the performance of that promise. It was an honor to the apostle Peter that he must preach that which an angel might not, so it was a further honor that an angel was dispatched on purpose from heaven to order him to be sent for. To bring a faithful minister and a willing people together is a work worthy of an angel, and what therefore the greatest of men should be glad to be employed in.