There are many people who bear the name of Christians who have not got beyond this state [of being converted—turned to God—but who know not salvation]. They are like the prodigal son (Luke 15) when he repents and arises to go to his father. He was on the right way, but he did not know how he would be received by his father. Such people possess perhaps more light but, as to their relation with God, they are in the same state.
Cornelius was already converted, devout, faithful, and full of the fear of God, according to the light he possessed. But he did not know salvation, the work of the Savior, and its efficacy. Led only by the grace of God, he received with faith what Peter told him. Now it was declared to him that, according to the testimony of all the prophets, he who believed in Jesus received the remission of his sins. The Holy Ghost seals by His coming this truth received with simple faith into the hearts of Cornelius and his friends. The Holy Ghost is given then to the Gentiles, without their becoming Jews or being circumcised.
Henceforth it was impossible not to receive them into the Christian assembly. God had received them, and had put His seal on them. Peter commands them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
We have here four distinct points: the conversion of the soul by grace (Cornelius was already converted, and his prayers and alms accepted by God); then the testimony for the remission of his sins by faith in Jesus, the victim by whom propitiation was made for us on the cross; then the seal of God by the gift of the Holy Ghost; and, finally, the formal reception among the Christians. This order is not that which is found elsewhere, because God was here showing that it was His will that the Gentiles should be received. But it is important to distinguish the four things, and to observe the true force of each of them.
It is important to ponder deeply the difference between conversion and salvation. I have already spoken on this subject, but it is one that is so much neglected, and Christians are so accustomed to be content with a low state of soul, and are so uncertain with regard to salvation, that I shall take the opportunity of adding a few more words. Cornelius was already converted; his prayers and alms were acceptable to God. He was to call for Peter, who would tell him words whereby he might be saved. God had been working in his soul, but he did not yet know the value of the work accomplished by the Savior. It is the same in the case of the woman in Luke 7; she loved the Lord deeply, and had felt the height of His grace and the depth of her sins; but she knew not that all was pardoned. The Lord tells her so. The prodigal son was converted, confessed his sins, and turned toward his father; but he was not yet clothed with the best garment. His father had not yet fallen on his neck; he knew not his love; he hardly hoped to be admitted as a servant, and was not in a fit state to enter into the house. Every privilege awaited him, but he did not possess them.
I doubt not that He who has begun the good work will continue it till the day of Christ Jesus. As long as a soul reasons about its state, seeks to know whether it is saved or convert ed, and judges by its own heart of what is in the heart of God, it is under law; salvation for such a one depends on his own state, not on the love of God and the efficacy of the work of Christ. He may perhaps say he is truly converted; he feels the need of salvation, and believes that others have found it, but he does not himself possess it, just as Israel was not out of the land of Egypt till the sea was crossed. Two things which cannot be separated are necessary: faith in the work of Christ, and the knowledge that it is finished. I say they cannot be separated, because, when we believe in the work of Christ, and by faith trust in it, we are sealed by the Holy Ghost; we enjoy peace (the love of God being shed abroad in our hearts), we are reconciled to God, and in Christ are made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; and we know it by the Holy Ghost given to us. In spirit we are in the Father's house, partaking of the food with which He nourishes His beloved children. Not only has the heart turned toward God, but Christ is our righteousness, who also appears for us continually before the face of God.