A lot of people think if they “keep the Ten Commandments” they are going to heaven.

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:5

Cornelius was a just man, a man of prayer, helping the poor. His righteousness, however, was not enough to save him. He needed to be born of the water and Spirit, as Jesus said.

The Lord loved Cornelius so much, that He sent an angel telling him to send for a man named Peter. While men from Cornelius were on their way, the Lord gave Peter a heavenly vision to make sure Peter would accept the mission. (Read Acts 10)

If you haven’t been born again, Jesus loves YOU and is calling you to be born of water and the Spirit.

How is a person born of water and Spirit?

When Peter arrived, Cornelius had gathered family and friends to hear Peter’s message from God. Peter preached to them the Gospel, that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose the third day.

Finally, Peter preached:

"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." - Acts 10:43

While Peter spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on Cornelius, his family, and friends he had gathered in his house and they all began to speak in other tongues (languages they did not know) as the Spirit of God spoke through them.

Peter and the men that came with him were astonished, for Jesus poured out the Holy Ghost on the Gentiles just like He had on them on the day of Pentecost! (Acts 2:4)

Cornelius and those at his house were all now born of the Spirit. Next, they were born of the water.

Peter then COMMANDED that they be water baptized in Jesus name.

"…Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord..." - Acts 10:46-48 (See also Acts 2:38)