Why Was Cornelius Baptized?

It is common today to encounter people who believe that baptism is not a necessary part of salvation. They believe that it is possible for people to be saved without ever being baptized. For those who believe this way, I must ask if we are not required to be baptized why did the Apostles also make a point to baptize new believers? More specifically why was Cornelius baptized?

Many people who we see become believers and even get baptized in the Bible were lost in sin. They did not live a life that acknowledged a God or aligned with His inspired word. But that was not the case for Cornelius who we are introduced to in Acts chapter ten. He was already a man of deep faith who prayed regularly and was even recognized by God for his actions. 

Acts 10:1–4 (ESV)

1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.

Many would say that based on the life of faith that Cornelius lived he was already saved in the eyes of a God. But if that is the case why do we see that the Lord point him in the direction of the Apostle Peter? The man who would come to deliver the gospel message to Cornelius and his family. Peter would also see them receive the Holy Ghost and proceed to baptize them all in the name of Jesus.

Acts 10:34–36 (ESV)

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),

Acts 10:44 (ESV)

44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.

Acts 10:48 (ESV)

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. 

Cornelius had the faith to be saved and that is the very reason God pointed him to Peter. So he could have the life-saving message of Jesus preached to him. But as we know faith alone is not able to save. As James points out even demons believe in God and tremble but they will not be saved by this belief.

James 2:19 (ESV)

19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Cornelius and his family were good people who believed that God existed.  But they were not saved due to this alone. In fact, in the next chapter, Peter makes a statement the shows us that they were not saved when the angel first appeared to Cornelius.

Acts 11:13–14 (ESV)

13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’

Cornelius and his family still needed to use the keys that the Apostle Peter held. Those which unlock the kingdom of Heaven and grant all those who use them entrance. The very same keys Jesus gave to Peter and that Peter gave to the world on the day of Pentecost.

Matthew 16:19 (ESV)

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Acts 2:37–38 (ESV)

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

If you still question the necessity of baptism read through the book of acts and see all those who were baptized. Not by second generation Christians but by the very men who lived with God in flesh Jesus Christ. Then ask yourself if all you need is faith why did they baptize all those people who professed their faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

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