[1] At Caesare'a there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was
known as the Italian Cohort, [2] a devout man who feared God with all his
household, gave alms liberally to the people, and prayed constantly to God.
[3] About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of
God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius." [4] And he stared at him in
terror, and said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and
your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. [5] And now send men to
Joppa, and bring one Simon who is called Peter; [6] he is lodging with
Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside." [7] When the angel who
spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout
soldier from among those that waited on him, [8] and having related
everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. [9] The next day, as they were
on their journey and coming near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to
pray, about the sixth hour. [10] And he became hungry and desired something
to eat; but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance [11] and
saw the heaven opened, and something descending, like a great sheet, let
down by four corners upon the earth. [12] In it were all kinds of animals
and reptiles and birds of the air. [13] And there came a voice to him,
"Rise, Peter; kill and eat." [14] But Peter said, "No, Lord; for I have
never eaten anything that is common or unclean." [15] And the voice came to
him again a second time, "What God has cleansed, you must not call common."
[16] This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to
heaven. [17] Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision
which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius,
having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate [18] and
called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there.
[19] And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him,
"Behold, three men are looking for you. [20] Rise and go down, and
accompany them without hesitation; for I have sent them." [21] And Peter
went down to the men and said, "I am the one you are looking for; what is
the reason for your coming?" [22] And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion,
an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish
nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house,
and to hear what you have to say." [23] So he called them in to be his
guests. The next day he rose and went off with them, and some of the
brethren from Joppa accompanied him. [24] And on the following day they
entered Caesare'a. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his
kinsmen and close friends. [25] When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and
fell down at his feet and worshiped him. [26] But Peter lifted him up,
saying, "Stand up; I too am a man." [27] And as he talked with him, he went
in and found many persons gathered; [28] and he said to them, "You
yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit
any one of another nation; but God has shown me that I should not call any
man common or unclean. [29] So when I was sent for, I came without
objection. I ask then why you sent for me." [30] And Cornelius said, "Four
days ago, about this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my
house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel, [31] saying,
`Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered
before God. [32] Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called
Peter; he is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the seaside.' [33]
So I sent to you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now
therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all that you
have been commanded by the Lord." [34] And Peter opened his mouth and said:
"Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, [35] but in every nation
any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. [36] You
know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace by
Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), [37] the word which was proclaimed
throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John
preached: [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and
with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were
oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. [39] And we are witnesses to
all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put
him to death by hanging him on a tree; [40] but God raised him on the third
day and made him manifest; [41] not to all the people but to us who were
chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from
the dead. [42] And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify
that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead.
[43] To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in
him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." [44] While Peter was
still saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. [45] And
the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed,
because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the
Gentiles. [46] For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God.
Then Peter declared, [47] "Can any one forbid water for baptizing these
people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" [48] And he
commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked
him to remain for some days.
