When looking at the cases of conversion within the book of Acts, the case of Cornelius and his household presents some unique challenges to understanding God’s plan for man’s salvation. The account of this conversion is found in Acts chapters 10 and 11. Cornelius conversion was unique in that he was the first Gentile to be converted to Christianity. This was not only revolutionary for the Gentiles, but for the Jews as well and herein lies additional uniqueness in his case. Does the unique nature of Cornelius case point to a unique plan of salvation on his part? Or is the unique nature of his case merely indicative of the need to bring the gospel to the gentiles? Let’s examine his case and see if we can come to an understanding of when Cornelius’ was saved.
First, when looking at the case of Cornelius we first notice that Cornelius was a good man. We read in Acts 10:2 that he was ” A devout man, and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.” However, Cornelius was not saved simply because he was a good man. In Acts 11:14 we read that the angel that was sent to Cornelius said that Peter would “tell you words, by which you and all your household will be saved.” The phrase “will be saved” is in the future tense indicating that in the present, when the angel spoke the words to Cornelius, he was not saved. So Cornelius was not saved simply because he was a good man.
Second, when looking at the case of Cornelius, we notice that Cornelius spoke with an angel. In Acts 10:3, we read, “About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, ‘Cornelius!'” However, Cornelius was not saved simply because he saw an angel. The angel himself said to Cornelius, “Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea: he will tell you what you must do” (Acts 10:5, 6). There were some things that the angel said Cornelius needed “to do” and that he would hear these things from Peter. So more was needed than simply the presence of the angel. Moreover, we have divine warning regarding the possibility of angels teaching another gospel in Galatians 1:8. So the gospel had to be preached to Cornelius before he could be saved. The presence of the angel was not enough.
Third, we notice that Cornelius received an apostle into his house. In Acts 10:25 we read, “As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him.” However, Cornelius was not saved simply because he received Peter into his house. In fact, Peter reproved Cornelius for his actions in bowing down to worship him. Acts 10:26 says, “But Peter lifted him up, saying, ‘Stand up; I myself also am a man.'” Other parts of the Bible teach as well that we are not to worship anything but God. John the apostle once fell down before an angel, but the angel said “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellowservant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God” (Revelation 22:9). The presence of an apostle was not enough.
Fourth we notice that Cornelius heard the word of the Lord preached. In Acts 10:33 Cornelius said, “Now therefore we are all present before God, to hear all things commanded you by God.” Cornelius was ready to hear the word of the Lord and he did hear the word of the Lord. However, it was not MERELY through hearing the word that they would be saved, for Peter says in Acts 10:43 “that through His name whosoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” In fact the Bible teaches in many other places that not only must we hear the gospel message, but also believe it; believing the gospel means so much more than just acknowledging it. Believing the gospel means that one is willing to submit to it in obedience. Hebrews 5:9 says that salvation is only for those who obey Jesus. In Romans 16:26, Paul writes that the gospel is made known for the purpose of people coming to obey it in faith. Without an obedient act of faith, salvation is not complete. Simply hearing the gospel was not enough.
Fifth we see that the Holy Spirit fell on those who heard the word and that they spoke in tongues. In Acts 10:44-46 we read, “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.” Many at this point want to say that Cornelius was saved because the Holy Spirit could not have moved them to speak in tongues if they were not already saved. The argument is that the presence of the Holy Spirit and the ability to speak in tongues indicates that Cornelius and his house were saved. Is this true? First, the text does not even say that at this point Cornelius believed. He was told to believe, but the Bible simply does not say that he believed. One could argue forcefully that Cornelius did not need to believe to be saved if the Holy Spirit falling upon them was all that was needed for salvation (and die hard Calvinists do argue this). This makes faith unnecessary for salvation, which is obviously false. Second, the Bible does not teach that Holy Spirit activity necessarily indicates personal salvation. In fact, the Bible does not even teach that speaking in tongues indicates salvation. In Numbers 22:28-30 the Lord enabled a donkey to speak in tongues; was the donkey saved? Clearly this type of reasoning would indicate that the donkey was saved. However, clear thinking individuals will recognize that divine activity does not necessarily indicate salvation. Another such example is the high priest Caiaphas in John 11:51. Caiaphas had rejected Jesus and was plotting Jesus’ death, yet he prophesied that Jesus would die for the sins of the people. John even says “this he spake not of himself” indicating that the Holy Spirit was involved in the prophesy. Yet who would say that Caiaphas, the one who ordered the murder of Jesus, was saved? Here are two clear examples of Holy Spirit activity where personal salvation is obviously not implied. Third, the Bible teaches that speaking in tongues was a sign for the unbeliever (1 Corinthians 14:22). The unbelievers in this particular context were the Jews present with Peter. They did not believe that salvation was for the Gentiles. The Holy Spirit had to convince Peter and the other Jews that Cornelius and his house could be saved. Once this was done, Peter asks who can forbid baptism. Why would Peter say these words? He said them because he and the others recognized that salvation comes as a result of baptism (as he preached in Acts 2:38) and they could now touch and baptize these gentiles with God’s approval.
This leads us to the sixth event that might indicate the salvation of Cornelius and his household–his baptism. Remember, according to Acts 11:14 Cornelius and his house were going to be saved through WORDS which Peter told them. Moreover, according to Acts 10:33 Cornelius told Peter that they were ready to hear ALL that was commanded of God. Well, Peter had not yet finished giving the words that they needed to be saved and he had not yet finished giving all the commands of God until verse 48 of chapter 10 where we read, “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” Saying that Cornelius was not saved until he was baptized is consistent with the immediate context. It is also consistent with the remote context of the New Testament. This is what Jesus commanded his apostles to do in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15, 16. This is what Peter had already preached to the Jews in Acts 2:38. Baptism was the act of faith that Cornelius needed to perform in order to receive remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 10:43). The command to be baptized was part of the words that Peter preached whereby Cornelius and his entire house would be saved (Acts 11:14). The command to be baptized was part of the commands that Cornelius was expecting to hear from the apostle (Acts 10:33). Peter considered it a necessity for Cornelius and the others by token that he did command it. And finally, the Holy Spirit considered it essential within the context of the conversion of Cornelius because he inspired Luke to write it.
The fact is that the rest of the Bible teaches clearly the purpose of baptism. Baptism is part of the process in making disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Can one be saved without becoming a disciple? Baptism is for salvation (Mark 16:16). Baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Can one be saved without having the remission of sins? Baptism is a command of God (Acts 10:43). Can one be saved without obeying the command of God? Baptism is to wash away one’s sins (Acts 22:16). Can one be saved without having washed away one’s sins? In baptism we crucify the old man to destroy the body of sin (Romans 6:6). Can one be saved without putting to death the old man of sin? In baptism we are raised to walk in a new life (Romans 6:4). Can one be saved without walking in a new life? Baptism is the point where we put on Christ (Galatians 3:27). Can one be saved without putting on Christ? Baptism is for putting off the body of the sins of the flesh (Colossians 2:12). Can one be saved without putting off the body of the sins of the flesh? Baptism now saves us (1 Peter 3:21). Baptism is the response of a good conscience toward God (1 Peter 3:21). Can we be saved without responding in a good conscience toward the call of God? Well, neither could Cornelius.
Cornelius’ case was unique in that he was the first gentile to whom the gospel was preached in the early church. His case was unique in that the Holy Spirit used him prior to his salvation to convince the unbelieving Jews that gentiles were candidates for salvation (Acts 10:45-47) and subsequent to his salvation to convince other unbelieving Jews that salvation had come to the gentiles (Acts 11:16-18). However, his case was not unique in that God provided for Cornelius salvation before he was baptized. The evidence from the scriptures as stated above simply does not warrant this conclusion. To suggest that Cornelius was saved prior to baptism and that all mankind can be saved prior to baptism is to contradict every single scripture in the Bible that teaches us the purpose of baptism. Let us resolve to accept the Bible teaching regarding baptism as an act of faith.