10:1
The early part of Acts dealt with the gospel being preached in Jerusalem. It then moved out to Samaria. With Paul’s conversion we have the start of the gospel reaching the Gentiles, for Paul would be God’s prime instrument in this task. We now come to the first clear conversion of a Gentile (more than one in fact, though the story is told with Cornelius as the lead player). Peter is the lead apostle in this incident. Cornelius was a centurion in the Italian Regiment, so he was a commander of one hundred men.
10:2
He and his whole family were “devout and God-fearing”. This means they worshipped the God of Israel, but had not converted to actually becoming Jews. His faith was real, for he gave generously to those in need (and these would include giving to Jews) and prayed regularly. So Cornelius was a respected man of good moral standing and character.
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