What about godly pagans?

Cornelius is described as a God-fearing man, constantly devoted to prayer and good works such as almsgiving. However, he was a pagan! How can a pagan be described that way? Even though he is praised, he still needed Jesus. This events marks a transition in the history of redemption, when the covenant promises were opened up to the Gentiles. Thus, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit serves to confirm what has just happened in the history of redemption.