The story of Cornelius is recorded in book of Acts chapter 10. Corneliuous was a resident of Caesarea. he was a leader of Italian battalion, he was a man who honored God. He helped Jew people. He was gentile who was worshipper of Yahweh. Indeed the commissioning of the preaching of the good news had passed by. The Jewish nation had great privileges of hearing Jesus preaching among them. However, many did not believe him. The idea that Israel was the only chosen had been overemphasized. the Israelites prided themselves as the chosen nation until they thought that God was not interested in the gentle nations. This pride and arrogance made the whole nation to miss the reason he chose them as special people. Repeatedly Yahweh had told Israel that He chose them so that what they learn they can teach other nations. How to worship the true GOD. That is why a Gentile was invited to take the Passover.
The case of Cornelius shows how God struggled to inform Israel of how times had changed God wanted the disciples and the whole Israel whosoever believed in Jesus Christ should be saved. Whether a Jew, Gentiles or Barbarians; all had an equal chance. God demonstrated this to Peter in a vision that God had informed Peter that what was considered unclean is now clean. God was telling Peter that the gospel was for all.
When Peter and his team were in Cornelius house they were amazed that also the Gentiles can receive the Holy Spirit. This clearly shows that He wanted both Jews and Gentiles to be in one church Peter then under stood that God does not show partiality. The gift of the Holy Spirit was given to the gentiles. This was good news within good news among the Jewish believers. Paul calls this a mystery. That the Gentiles and the Jews were now one in Jesus Christ. What happened at Cornelius and what happened to Paul and Barrnabus as they preached to among the Gentiles led to the great Jerusalem council reported in Acts Chapter 15. The Apostles discussed how they were to handle the Gentiles believers.
In conclusion Cornelius is the Gentile that God used to demonstrate to the Jews believers that the Gentiles were now included in the house hold of God.
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