Acts 10

Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what is called the Italian cohort,

a godly man, and one who was a God-fearer, along with all his house, who did many acts of charity for the People, and implored God continually.

About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming in to him and saying to him, “Cornelius.”

And he, fastening his eyes on him, and being afraid, said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have come up as a memorial before God.

And now send men to Joppa, and send for one Simon, who is also called Peter;

he is staying with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.”

And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his household servants, and a godly soldier of those who faithfully attended him,

and when he had related all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Now on the next day about the sixth hour, as they were on their journey and drew near to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray.

And he became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing the meal, a state of suspended consciousness fell on him,

and he sees the heavens opened and an object descending; something like a large linen cloth that was being let down to the earth by its four corners.

In it were all the four-footed beasts and reptiles of the earth, and birds of heaven.

And a voice came to him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

But Peter said, “Surely not, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean.”

And a voice came to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed, do not consider unclean!”

And this was done three times, and immediately the object was taken up into heaven.

Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in himself as to what the vision that he had seen could mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having found Simon’s house by asking directions, stood at the gate

and called and asked if Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there.

While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Look! Three men are looking for you.

So get up, and get down from the roof and go with them without hesitation, because I have sent them.”

So Peter went down to the men, and said, “Look! I am the one whom you are seeking. What is the reason for your coming?”

And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was instructed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house, and to hear words from you.”

So he called them in and received them as guests. And on the next day he got up and went off with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

And on the next day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and his close friends.

Now it came to pass that when Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and bowed down before him.

But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up. I myself also am a man.”

And as he talked with him, he went in and found many assembled together,

and he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a man who is a Jew to associate with or visit a foreigner, and yet God showed me that I should not call any person common or unclean.

That is why when I was sent for I came without arguing. So I ask, why have you sent for me?”

And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and look! A man stood before me in bright clothing

and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your acts of charity have been remembered in the sight of God.

Therefore send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is called Peter. He is staying in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea.’

Therefore I sent to you immediately, and you did well in that you have come. So now we are all here present in the presence of God to hear all the things that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

And Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly now I realize that God does not show favoritism,

but in every nation anyone who fears him and is doing what is right is acceptable to him.

You know the word that he sent to the sons of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all!

You yourselves know what has happened throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee. After the baptism that John preached—

Jesus, the one from Nazareth—how God anointed him with holy spirit and with power, and he went around doing good and healing all those who were being oppressed by the Devil, for God was with him.

“And we are witnesses of all the things that he did, both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom also they killed, having hung him on a tree.

But God raised him up the third day, and granted that he should be seen,

not by all the People, but by witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, even to us who ate and drank with him after he rose from among the dead.

And he commanded us to proclaim to the people and to solemnly testify that he is the one who has been appointed by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead.

All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.”

While Peter was still speaking these words, the holy spirit rushed onto all those who were listening to the word.

And the believers from the circumcision were amazed, all those who came with Peter, because on the Gentiles also the gift of the holy spirit was poured out.

For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then answered Peter,

“Surely no one is able to refuse water and insist that these should not be baptized, these who have received the holy spirit just as we have?”

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain a few days.