Acts 10
1
Now there was a certain man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called
the Italian [Regiment],
2
a devout [man], and one that feared God, together with all his household, who often
gave alms to the people, and making petition to God always.
3
About the ninth hour of the day, he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming
to him and saying to him, "Cornelius!"
4
And looking intently at him and becoming fearful he said, "What is it, lord?"And he
said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.
5
Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.
6
He is staying as a guest with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is beside the sea."
7
Now when the angel who had been speaking to Cornelius had departed, he called two
of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him
continually.
8
And explaining to them everything, he sent them to Joppa.
9
Now on the next day, as they were traveling and drawing near to the city, Peter went
up on the housetop to pray, [at ]about the sixth hour.
10
And he became hungry and wanted to eat; but while they were preparing, a trance fell
on him.
11
And he saw heaven having been opened, and descending to him a certain vessel like
a great sheet, having been bound at the four corners, and being let down upon the
ground,
12
in which were all the four-footed [animals] of the earth and the wild animals, and
the reptiles, and the birds of the air.
13
And there[ ]came a voice to him, [saying], "Arise, Peter; kill and eat."
14
But Peter said, "By no means, Lord! For never did I eat anything common or unclean."
15
And a voice [spoke] again the second [time ]to him, "That which God has made clean,
you must not make common."
16
And this happened three times, and again the vessel was taken up into heaven.
17
Now as Peter was very perplexed within himself as to what the vision which he had
seen might mean, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius, having found by
inquiry the house of Simon, stood at the gateway.
18
And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.
19
Now while Peter pondered about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, men are
seeking you.
20
Arise therefore, go down and go with them, without wavering; for I have sent them."
21
And Peter, going down to the men, said, "Behold, I am he whom you seek. What is the
reason for which you are here?"
22
And they said, "Cornelius the centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man, having a
good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was given a revelation by a holy
angel to send for you to his house, and to hear words from you."
23
Therefore he invited them in and received [them] as guests. Now on the next day Peter
went forth with them, and some brothers from Joppa went with him.
24
And on the next day they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them,
having called together his relatives and close friends.
25
Now when it happened that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, [and] fell at his feet
and worshipped [him].
26
But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself am also a man."
27
And talking with him he went in, and found many having gathered,
28
and he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to associate with
or to approach a Gentile; and yet God has shown to me that I should call no man common
or unclean;
29
therefore also without objecting, I came when I was sent for. I ask, then, for what
reason have you sent for me?"
30
So Cornelius said, "From the fourth day until this hour I was fasting, and at the
ninth hour I was praying in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in shining
clothing,
31
and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms have been remembered
before God.
32
Send therefore to Joppa and summon Simon, whose surname is Peter. He is staying as
a guest in the house of Simon, a tanner, beside the sea. When he arrives, he will
speak to you.'
33
"Therefore immediately I sent to you, and you have done well to come. Now then we
are all present before God, to hear all the things having been commanded you by God."
34
And Peter, opening his mouth, said: "In truth I comprehend that God is not One to
show partiality.
35
But in every nation, he that fears Him and works righteousness is acceptable to Him.
36
The word which God sent to the sons of Israel, preaching the good news of peace through
Jesus Christ--He being Lord of all-
37
you know, the word coming to be throughout all of Judea, and beginning from Galilee
after the baptism which John proclaimed,
38
Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went
about doing good and healing all those who were oppressed by the devil, because God
was with Him.
39
And we are witnesses of all things which He did, both in the country of the Jews and
in Jerusalem, whom they also killed by hanging on a tree.
40
This [Jesus] God raised up on the third day, and caused Him to be seen,
41
not to all the people, but to witnesses, who having been chosen beforehand by God,
[even] to us, who ate and drank together with Him after He arose from the dead.
42
And He commanded us to proclaim to the people, and to testify solemnly that He is
the [One] having been appointed by God [to be] Judge of the living and the dead.
43
To Him all the prophets bear witness, [that ]through His name, everyone believing
in Him shall receive forgiveness of sins."
44
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who
heard the word.
45
And those of the circumcision who believed were astounded, as many as had come with
Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
46
For they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered,
47
"Surely no one can forbid water, can he, that these should not be baptized who received
the Holy Spirit just as we have?"
48
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him
to stay for some days.