# Conversion of Cornelius (c. 40)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/40-conversion-of-cornelius
Location: Caesarea Maritima, Judea
Themes: Mission

Peter baptizes the Roman centurion Cornelius at Caesarea, opening the church to Gentiles without requiring conversion to Judaism. At this point in the timeline (c. 40), the Bishop of Rome was Saint Peter (c. 30 – c. 64). Dates for the earliest bishops of Rome are traditional and uncertain.

## Why it matters
Conversion of Cornelius mattered because it carried Christianity to new peoples and regions, changing the map of world Christianity.

Pope at the time: [Saint Peter](https://christianity-history.com/popes/saint-peter)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Cornelius the Centurion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornelius_the_Centurion)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Conversion of Cornelius](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Conversion+of+Cornelius)
- [Wikipedia — Apostolic Age (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostolic_Age)