Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
CORNE'LIUS, a Roman centurion of the Italian cohort stationed at Caesarea, and the first heathen convert to Christianity. He was a Gentile by birth, but a God-fearing man, a half proselyte i.e. leaning to the Jewish religion, yet uncircumcised, and hence considered unclean. Acts 10:1. His prayers, being offered in the faith of a promised Messiah, were heard, and God sent Peter to make known to him the plan of salvation through a crucified and
risen Redeemer. Thus the door of faith was opened to the Gentiles. Cornelius and his family were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 10 and Rev 1:11.