Mom, this scripture was a struggle for you, wasn't it? You gave it an honest effort, and I know your sincerity from past threads. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.
30 Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, `Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.
One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!" 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter
Mom, no matter what else, we can say that Cornelius' behavior occurred BEFORE he became a Christian. It occurred AFTER Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. In the same way as it was necessary for Jews to believe, it was also necessary for Cornelius to believe. On the day of Pentecost, the convicted Jews said to Peter, "What should we do?" Peter told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and they'd receive the remission of sins. If they had to do so, then so did Cornelius.
We can also UNEQUIVOCALLY say that God was pleased by Cornelius' praying and giving gifts to the poor. This ties in perfectly with the Book of James in which James says,
21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,"[5] and he was called God's friend. 24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
James is pointing out that there was a MISINTERPRETATION of "works righteousness" and "faith alone" that was going around.
Works that demonstrate faith in God are pleasing to God, are possible in a pre-Salvation human, and are indicative of faith in God; something that God will never frown upon. In fact, as in the case of Cornelius, those works were acceptable to God.
The temple sacrifices all occurred before Christ too, and they were pleasing to God as they were obedient to his command. Cornelius was obediedient as far as the revelation of God was to him. The Grace of God was necessary for him to seek any further.
I note you have failed to address the clear scripture that man were born again BEFORE they repented and sought God. Again I point out Samuel, Isaiah, Paul. All of which had a moment of grace BEFORE they were used of God. I think you have answered it your self brother
On the day of Pentecost, the convicted Jews said to Peter, "What should we do?" Peter told them to repent
They were convicted by the grace of God before they could repent. They were blind before that,only the grace of God can reveal our sin to us. (That is a very reform position I believe) just like everyone of us.X. The blind can not see their sin, the deaf can not hear the gospel, the dead can not ask God what they should do.
Ps not a gang alert ..just wanting to make sure I have presented it correctly :>)
And many would say that obedience was when righteousness was imputed to him . God knew how Abraham would respond as He had predestined it. But it was a moment that was necessary for Abraham..it was his " Yes Lord"