John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 10:1-48
Peter and the Gentiles1-48. Conversion of Cornelius. The baptism of Cornelius was an event of farreaching importance, and is, therefore, described by St. Luke in great detail. If it was not the first actual baptism of a Gentile (see Acts 8:38), it was, at any rate, the first such baptism which was publicly acknowledged. The historical character of the incident has been called in question because St. Peter in Galatians is represented as opposing St. Paul on the Gentile question (Galatians... read more
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 10:2
Cornelius lived a moral life because he feared God, as did the other members of his household. His generosity to the people (Gr. to lao, i.e., to the Jews) and his prayers (Gr. deomai, lit. begging) were further evidences of his respect for Israel’s God. His relations with God and people were admirable (cf. Matthew 22:37-39). Cornelius had not become a full Jewish proselyte (Acts 11:3), but he did pray to the Jews’ God. The Jews called full Gentile proselytes who had undergone circumcision... read more