"And fixing his gaze upon him and being much alarmed, he said, 'What is it, Lord?'  And he said to him, 'Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God.  And now dispatch some men to Joppa, and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; he is staying with a certain tanner named Simon, whose house is by the sea.'  And when the angel who was speaking to him had departed, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were in constant attendance upon him, and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa."

There are no coincidences when it comes to God's providence.

Peter is about to have a major breakthrough in theology, all because this Cornelius is a man of prayer and devotion.  All because Peter was in this area after Stephen was martyred.  All because Tabitha was a loved woman.  All because Cornelius needed help.

What I find particularly noteworthy is the fact that Cornelius sent a Roman soldier with his servants to pick up Peter.  The Roman's were looking to kill Christians.  But, Cornelius trusted this soldier.  It is amazing how much trust we learn when we learn to trust God.

Cornelius must have spoken about God many times in front of his servants and soldiers.  More than that, they would have seen how his devotion to God changed him.  He spoke with words and his life, that is a combination that we are all called to use.