Editing Centurion (section)

==In the New Testament==
[[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew's Gospel]] and [[Gospel of Luke|Luke's Gospel]]<ref>Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10</ref> relate an incident in which a servant of a centurion based in [[Capernaum]] was ill. In the Gospel of Luke, the centurion concerned had a good relationship with the elders of the local Jewish population and had funded the development of the [[synagogue]] in Capernaum, and when he heard that [[Jesus]] was in the locality, he asked the Jewish elders to request healing for his servant. In the Gospel of Matthew, the centurion makes direct contact with Jesus. The stories report that Jesus marveled at his faith and [[Healing the centurion's servant|restored his servant to health]].

In both the Gospels of [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]]<ref>Mark 15:39</ref> and Matthew,<ref>Matthew 27:54</ref> the centurion who is present at the [[Crucifixion of Jesus|Crucifixion]] said that Jesus was "God's Son". Accordingly, this centurion is considered by many to be the first Christian. In Luke's Gospel,<ref>Luke 23:47</ref> the centurion at the cross said that Jesus was "innocent".

The [[Acts of the Apostles|Book of Acts]]<ref>{{bibleverse|Acts|10:1-11:30}}</ref> tells of a centurion named [[Cornelius the Centurion|Cornelius]] whose righteous and generous acts find favor with God. The apostle [[Saint Peter|Simon Peter]] is told in a vision to visit Cornelius, a [[Gentile]], with whom association was not permitted under Jewish law. The encounter leads Simon Peter to understand that God accepts non-Jews who believe in God and repent. After this revelation, the message of Jesus was evangelized to the Gentiles. Another centurion, Julius, is given custody of the [[Paul the Apostle|apostle Paul]] for his journey from [[Caesarea Maritima|Caesarea]] to [[Rome]] in [[Acts 27]].<ref>{{bibleverse|Acts|27:1-3}} and verses 6, 11, 31, and 43</ref>