2119.—Was Cornelius Saved?
By Editor
Was Cornelius a saved, converted, Christian man before Peter visited him and before his baptism by Peter, or was his baptism by Peter the step which made Cornelius a saved, converted, Christian man? If he was a saved man, what was the message the Lord had for him by asking him to send for Peter? See Acts 10.
F. W. P. The answer would turn on what our querist means by "saved, converted, and Christian man." Evidently Cornelius was a proselyte Jew, one who had accepted the Jewish faith, himself a Roman. His sincere devotion and conversion to God was shown by his works. He "feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always." He certainly was a converted man, but still seeking for more light. Had he died then and there, he without question would have been saved, because it was in his heart to do God's will as demonstrated by the doing of it when it was revealed to him; for "the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him." 2 Chron. 16:9. Peter himself echoed the same thought, "But in every nation he that feareth Him [God], and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to Him." Acts 10:35. Peter's wish was to give him more light, to bring to him greater blessings, to show to him that all truth centered in the Lord Jesus Christ, and so bring him into personal relationship to the One whom God sent as a Saviour. A mere form of baptism does not save; it is really the public marriage ceremony which unites the believer to the Lord Jesus Christ and confirms before the world the profession which he makes. It is oftentimes a means of great spiritual blessing, just as a marriage ceremony is a time of happiness and joy to those who enter into it.