Cornelius was visited by an angel while he was at prayer and directed to summon Peter from Joppa. When Peter arrived and heard of the vision of Cornelius he instructed him in the story of the life, death, and messiahship of Jesus. At the end of the instruction the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and all his household and conferred upon them the gift of tongues. Today we hear some of Peter's instruction to them prior to the coming of the Holy Spirit. God has no favorites and doesn't accept bribes.
Salvation is available to all.
Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. This can be done even if one is not a Jew. Jesus is the spirit-filled agent of God's saving activity. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. For the grace of God has appeared, saving all The incarnation and redemptive work of Christ is for all mankind.