Cornelius possessed many attributes that made him a great man...

• A Roman centurion
• Devout
• Just
• Good reputation
• Feared God
• Household feared God
• Gave alms generously
• Prayed to God always
• Fasted
• Received a vision
• God heard and remembered his prayers
• Received baptism of the Holy Spirit

Yet...

He was still not saved! The Bible says he still needed to be baptized in water!

Cornelius was told by an angel in a vision, “Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved” (Acts 11:13-14).

While Peter was telling him these words, the Holy Spirit fell on them. Peter then asked, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:47-48).