Cornelius the Centurion
first Gentile to convert to Christianity
b. 1st century · d. 1st century
Cornelius was a Roman centurion who is considered by some Christians to be the first Gentile to convert to the faith, as related in Acts of the Apostles. The baptism of Cornelius is an important event in the history of the early Christian church. He may have belonged to the gens Cornelia, a prominent Roman family.
Events
Commemorated
How we know
Recorded as a historical figure.
- Acts of the Apostles 1 claim — Baptism of Cornelius
- OrthodoxWiki 1 claim — Cornelius is made bishop of Caesarea