"Believing in God as the Creator of heaven and earth, Cornelius revered Him, acknowledged His authority, and sought His counsel in all the affairs of life. He was faithful to Jehovah in his home life and in his official duties. He had erected the altar of God in his home, for he dared not attempt to carry out his plans or to bear his responsibilities without the help of God. AA 133.1"
"A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway."
EGW is elaborating on the description of Cornelius found in Acts 10:2, directly referencing his devoutness and fear of God.
"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Both passages emphasize serving God within the household. While Joshua 24:15 is a direct declaration, the EGW passage describes Cornelius establishing an 'altar of God' in his home, reflecting a similar commitment to serving God within the family unit.
"Though Cornelius believed the prophecies and was looking for the Messiah to come, he had not a knowledge of the gospel as revealed in the life and death of Christ. He was not a member of the Jewish church and would have been looked upon by the rabbis as a heathen and unclean. But the same Holy Watcher who said of Abraham, “I know him,” knew Cornelius also, and sent a message direct from heaven to him. AA 133.2"
"And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee."
The EGW passage directly references Cornelius's character and God's awareness of him, mirroring the description in Acts 10:22. The phrase 'I know him' is an explicit allusion to God's knowledge and approval.