Cornelius was "A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway." - Acts 10:2
You would think by this description of Cornelius that he was saved. But he was not. Cornelius needed to hear and obey the gospel so that he could be saved.
God gave Cornelius a heavenly vision. An angel of God came to him.
"And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter…he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do." (See Acts 10:3-38).
When Peter arrived at Cornelius’ house, Cornelius had gathered his kinsmen and friends “to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.”
Peter then preached the gospel of Jesus to them - His death, burial, and resurrection. (Acts 10:39-40).
Peter then preached that those that believe in Jesus shall receive remission of sins through His name. (Acts 10:43, Acts 2:38).
"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word." - Acts 10:44
"And they of the circumcision (Jews) which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 10:45
How did Peter and the believing brethren that came with him know that God had filled the Gentiles with His Holy Ghost?
"For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God." - Acts 10:46
"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" - Acts 10:47
Peter realized the Gentiles had received the GIFT for entering into covenant with God, but they hadn’t entered into the COVENANT – they had not been WATER BAPTIZED IN JESUS NAME!
"And he COMMANDED them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." - Acts 10:48
The Gentiles heard the preaching of the Gospel by Peter, sent by God. The Gentiles OBEYED the gospel, by repentance, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and being baptized in Jesus name for the remission of their sins.
When the apostles heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God, they "glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." - Acts 11:18
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