Cornelius, whose story is told in Acts 10, is one of the most interesting cases of conversion recorded in the Bible. It is interesting, because here we have a man who needed to be “saved” —yet he was a man of high standing with God and man, a man full of good works, a sincere worshipper of God. The Holy Spirit hasn't got a bad word to say about him.
In Acts 10:1-2 and verse 22, we find these things said about Cornelius...
He was a centurion(Acts 10:1). This means he was the captain of one hundred soldiers in the Roman army. His responsibility was to keep the peace and to enforce the law.
He was a devout man and one who feared God(Acts 10:2). From the story, we gather that he was a Gentile. However certain Gentiles were God-fearers, meaning that they rejected pagan religion and worshipped the true God.
His household also joined him in his devotion to God (Acts 10:2). His wife, children, and servants shared his godliness, and there were no idols in his house.
He gave many alms to the Jewish people. He was generous in charitable gifts to the poor, and he did not distribute his alms with partiality or prejudice.
He prayed to God continually (Acts 10:2). Cornelius gave thanks to God and sought help from God. He was seeking God always in his prayers. His prayers and alms "ascended as a memorial before God"(Acts 10:4).
He was a just man (Acts 10:22). This means that he was righteous. He was not a man who thought evil, spoke evil, or did evil. He was a good man.
He had a good reputation"well spoken of by the entire nation"(Acts 10:22).
He received a vision from an angel of God (Acts 10:22, cf !0:3-4). Of all the billions of people who have been born, only a very few have ever had this privilege. In fact, he and his household were also baptized with the Holy Spirit, just as the apostles had been on the day of Pentecost! (Acts 10:44-45, 11:15).
The more you think about this description of Cornelius, the more you realise what a good man he was. What more could God want of him? Surely he was one of those good Christian persons who will populate heaven. As Peter said, "In every nation God welcomes the man who fears God and does what is right"(Acts 10:34-35). If anyone qualified for this, surely Cornelius did.
2. What Cornelius Lacked
We would be very foolish, however, if we missed the point of the story of Cornelius. As good as they were, Cornelius and his household needed to be saved (Acts 11:14). God wanted more from Cornelius and his household. Cornelius is an example to us. Cornelius was ready, once taught, to do these things commanded by God.
Cornelius and his household needed to believe in Christ (Acts 10:36-43). They knew about Jesus, but "every one who believes in him has received forgiveness of sins"(Acts 10:43). Without this faith, their goodness was not enough to save them.
Cornelius and his household needed to repent. They were "granted the repentance that leads to life"(Acts 11:17-18). As good as they were, Cornelius and his household needed to come to God with a contrite and penitent heart —which they unquestionably did.
Cornelius and his household needed to be baptized. Peter "ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ"(Acts 10:47-48). The water of baptism could not be forbidden them, nor could they refuse it. Can you imagine Cornelius and his household objecting to this command, or delaying to obey it, or arguing that it was not among the words by which they would be saved?
3. Cornelius Our Example
Could I have chosen a better man to set before you as an example of one who was led to Christ? If we want to be saved like Cornelius, should we not try, without any argument...