Simply so, what was the meaning of Peter's vision?
Luke Timothy Johnson and Daniel J. Harrington write that this episode heralds a radical change in Peter's "identity as a member of God's people," but also that "the implication is that all things God created are declared clean by him, and are not affected by human discriminations."
Similarly, what was the purpose of the vision that Peter saw before his visit to Cornelius? Gentiles could be included. Why is Cornelius's conversion significant for the young church?
Simply so, what can we learn from Cornelius?
Since the unregenerate do not fear God and Cornelius feared God, then Cornelius must have been regenerated or born again before he heard the gospel. Likewise, Cornelius' entire household feared God. This teaches us that they also must have been born again before the gospel ever reached their ears!
What did gentiles believe in?
Gentiles had long been distained by the Jews. But Jewish prophecies said that gentiles would some day seek their God and gladly be ruled by their coming king. God intended the faith of the Jews to be given to all mankind. It was the magi, Persian gentiles, who found a way to the home of the new king.
