A good illustration from the book of Acts is the account regarding Cornelius, a devout and God-fearing Gentile who did not know Jesus Christ.  God sent an angel to him in a vision saying that his “prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.”  Nonetheless, God instructed Cornelius to send for the apostle Peter whom God at that time (also through a vision) was commanding to go to Cornelius and preach to him the message of salvation regarding Jesus Christ.

Peter spoke to Cornelius and his household saying: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right… He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that Jesus is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.”

Cornelius…