"Send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon." Thus God gave evidence of His regard for the gospel ministry and for His organized church. The angel was not commissioned to tell Cornelius the story of the cross. A man subject, even as the centurion himself, to human frailties and temptations, was to be the one to tell him of the crucified and risen Saviour.

"Send nu nogle mænd til Joppe og lad dem hente en mand, der hedder Peter." Således bevidnede Gud sin agtelse for evangeliets tjenere og for sin oprettede menighed. Det var ikke engelens opgave at fortælle Kornelius korsets historie. Et menneske, der på samme måde som høvedsmanden selv var offer for menneskelige skrøbeligheder og fristelser, skulle være den, der fortalte ham om den korsfæstede og opstandne Frelser.