Cornelius In the Roman regiment based in Caesarea was an officer named Cornelius who worshipped the God of Israel. He was one of the people known as God-fearers, who attended synagogue services, kept certain Jewish laws, prayed to God and gave money to the needy. God saw that Cornelius was seeking a better understanding of him, so sent Peter to tell him of Jesus Christ and lead him to complete salvation (Acts 1:10-8).
Peter told Cornelius of what Jesus Christ had done for the world through his life, death and resurrection. All who repented of their sins and believed in Jesus would receive forgiveness, regardless of their nationality (Acts 1:10-43). Not only did Cornelius and his friends believe, but they received the Holy Spirit as Jewish believers had previously (Acts 1:10-48; cf. 2:1-4). This was a significant event in the life of the early church, because it showed that God accepted Gentiles as he accepted Jews and gave his blessings to both without distinction (Acts 1:11-18).