CENTURION
(from lat. “centum”, one hundred). Officer in the Roman army (Acts 21:32; 22:26), commander of 100 soldiers or, later, a slightly larger number (cp. Acts 23:23). The NT mentions two names of centurions:
(a) Cornelius, of the garrison at Caesarea; In it it was seen that the Holy Spirit had been given to believers who came out of paganism, as well as to the Jews (Acts 10);
(b) the centurion Julius, who led Paul to Rome, along with other prisoners, treating them with benevolence (Acts 27:1, 3, 43). In addition to Cornelius, two centurions manifested their faith: one in Capernaum (Mt. 8:5-13), and another near the cross (Mt. 27:54).