Acts 10

1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

2 A devout man, and one who revered God along with all his house, who gave many offerings to the people, and prayed to God always.

3 He saw clearly in a vision, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, Cornelius.

4 And when he looked at him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said to him, Your prayers and your offerings have come up for a memorial before God.

5 And now send men to Joppa (at once), and ask for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

6 He lodges with one Simon the tanner, whose house is by the seaside: he shall tell you what you ought to do.

7 And when the angel who spoke to Cornelius had departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

8 And when he had declared all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa (to find Peter).

9 On the next day, as they went on their journey and drew near to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance,

11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending on him, as if it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

12 In it were all kinds of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.

14 But Peter said, by no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is defiled or unclean.

15 And the voice spoke to him again the second time, What God has cleansed, do not call defiled.

16 This was done three times, and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

17 Now, while Peter was perplexed at what the vision he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius had inquired about Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

18 And called, and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, was lodged there.

19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men seek you.

20 Arise therefore, and get down, and go with them, do not doubt anything: for I have sent them.

21 Then Peter went down to the men who were sent to him from Cornelius, and said, Behold, I am the one whom you seek: what is the reason why you have come?

22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that reveres God, and is of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was (divinely) instructed from God by a holy angel to send for you (to come) to his house, and to hear your words.

 

23 Then he called them in and lodged them. And on the next day, Peter went away with them, and certain (Jewish) believers from Joppa accompanied him.

24 And the day after, they entered Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his family and close friends.

25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; for I myself also am (only) a man.

 

27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many that had come together (to hear his words).

 

28 And he said to them, You know how that it is an unlawful thing (forbidden and improper) for a man that is a Jew to keep company with or come to (the home of) one of another nation; but God has shown me that I should not call any man defiled or unclean.

29 Therefore, I came to you without arguing, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore what reason you have sent for me?

30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

31 And said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your offerings are remembered before God.

32 Send therefore (men) to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is staying in the house of one Simon the tanner by the seaside: who, when he comes, shall speak to (and instruct) you.

33 Immediately, therefore, I sent for you, and you have done well to come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are instructed of God.

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35 But in every nation, whoever reveres Him, and (looks to Him alone) to work (and bring forth) righteousness (in them), is acceptable to Him.

 

36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching (the good news of the gospel of) peace by Jesus Christ: {He is Lord of all:}

37 That word, as you yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was (always in communion) with Him (from before the world was).

39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they killed and hung on a tree:

40 Him God raised up the third day, and showed Him openly;

41 Not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead.

42 And He instructed us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was determined by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead.

43 To Him do all the prophets give testimony, that through His name whoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins (sending away the death that caused them to labor to preserve their own lives).

44 While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all of them who heard the word.

45 And they of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that even upon the Gentiles was the gift of the Holy Ghost poured out.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

 

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord (Jesus). Then they prayed (asking) that he would stay certain days (with them).