Read Acts 10, the full account of Cornelius. This is a turning point in the work of the apostles. Verse 2 says Cornelius was a devout and God fearing man before he met Peter. He was saved before he called for Peter but he needed instruction in how Christians are supposed to live. He didn't know the details about Christ. He did know about Christ, though. Go down to v32 and 33. Both verses start with 'you know that...' Cornelius knew about Christ and with his devotion was saved. He was what Paul later referred to as a baby Christian who needed milk but still, he was definitely saved and the Spirit could have come on him at any time.
However, God was holding off with the Spirit until Peter was there. This was a lesson for Peter more than for Cornelius. Peter needed instruction in how to deal with Gentile converts. He'd just experienced his vision with sheet full of unclean thing but didn't know how to apply it. Now Peter fully understood. This was God's lesson to him that Gentiles could be saved and Spirit filled just like the Jews. After this lesson, Peter's attitude and actions changed completely. He was now ready to go out among the Gentiles and to accept Paul's calling as being from the Lord.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
