Acts 10:24-33. Peter arrives at Cornelius' house in Cesarea. Cornelius is expecting him, and has gathered his family and friends to await Peter. Meeting Peter, Cornelius falls to Peter's feet, worshiping him, but Peter tells him to rise, for he is a man, too. When Peter sees the gathered crowd, he reminds them that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate or visit with non-Jews, but then he says that God has shown him that he should not call any man common or unclean, so he has come to Cornelius without objection. He asks why he was sent for, and Cornelius recounts his vision from four days ago in which an angel instructed him to send for Peter. Cornelius says, "So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all you have been commanded by the Lord."

So Peter has figured out the bigger meaning of his vision, possibly while pondering it on the road to Caesarea, or maybe immediately after the Holy Spirit told him to go with the men who came to his door. He doesn't mention the Holy Spirit to Cornelius, he just says he came without objection, which is true enough, but I wonder why he omits the Spirit? Cornelius is forthright about his vision and humbly appreciates Peter's kindness in coming, while asking Peter to relate all that he has been commanded by the Lord.

The differences between Peter and Cornelius' behavior say a lot about the hurdle being overcome here, and the line of authority being established. Peter is a Jewish fisherman, but also the first Pope; Cornelius is a centurion, but also a new follower of Christ. A Jewish fisherman and a Roman centurion have one power dynamic, while the Pope and a Christian convert have the exact opposite one. In this scene, it is the latter dynamic that dominates. Peter is clearly the one with authority, even to the point of Cornelius falling down at Peter's feet.

This interaction demonstrates that both Peter and Cornelius understand the proper and true power and authority in the world. God has the ultimate and final authority, and Peter, as his chosen representative, is the one with authority over Cornelius. Cornelius' obedient and humble behavior shows that he understands that, and that he needs instruction from one already instructed by Christ, just as we all do. The authority of the Church over even earthly powers, and the proper relation of believers to the Church, is the order God set in place when He established His Church, as we see here.