Acts 10
Cornelius Sends a Delegation
1
There was a certain man in Caesarea called
Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the
Italian Regiment,
2
a devout man and one who feared God with
all his household, who gave alms generously to
the people, and prayed to God always.
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 when he observed him, he was afraid, and
said, “What is it, lord?”
So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms
have come up for a memorial before God.
5
Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose
surname is Peter.
6
He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house
is by the sea. He will tell you what you must
do.” 7
And when the angel who spoke to him had
departed, Cornelius called two of his household
servants and a devout soldier from among those
who waited on him continually.
8
So when he had explained all these things
to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Peter’s Vision
9
The next day, as they went on their journey and
drew near the city, Peter went up on the
housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.
10
Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat;
but while they made ready, he fell into a trance
11
and saw heaven opened and an object like a great
sheet bound at the four corners, descending to
him and let down to the earth.
12
In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of
the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and
birds of the air.
13
And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and
eat.”
14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I
have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15
And a voice spoke to him again the second
time, “What God has cleansed you must not call
common.”
16
This was done three times. And the object was
taken up into heaven again.Summoned
to Caesarea
17
Now while Peter wondered within himself what
this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the
men who had been sent from Cornelius had made
inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the
gate.
18 And they called and asked whether
Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging
there.
19 While Peter thought about the vision,
the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are
seeking you.
20
Arise therefore, go down and go with them,
doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
21
Then Peter went down to the men who had been
sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am
he whom you seek. For what reason have you
come?”
22 And they said, “Cornelius the
centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has
a good reputation among all the nation of the
Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to
summon you to his house, and to hear words from
you.”
23 Then he invited them in and lodged
them.On the next day Peter went away with
them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied
him.Peter Meets Cornelius
24
And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now
Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called
together his relatives and close friends.
25
As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and
fell down at his feet and worshiped him.
26
But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I
myself am also a man.”
27
And as he talked with him, he went in and found
many who had come together.
28
Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it
is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go
to one of another nation. But God has shown me
that I should not call any man common or
unclean.
29
Therefore I came without objection as soon as I
was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have
you sent for me?”
30
So 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 has been
heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight
of God.
32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon
here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in
the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When
he comes, he will speak to you.’
33
So I sent to you immediately, and you have done
well to come. Now therefore, we are all present
before God, to hear all the things commanded you
by God.”Preaching to Cornelius’
Household
34
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In
truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
35
But in every nation whoever fears Him and works
righteousness is accepted by Him.
36
The word which God sent to the children
of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus
Christ—He is Lord of all—
37
that word you know, which was proclaimed
throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee
after the baptism which John preached:
38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy
Spirit and with power, who went about doing good
and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,
for God was with Him.
39
And we are witnesses of all things which He did
both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem,
whom they killed by hanging on a tree.
40
Him God raised up on the third day, and showed
Him openly,
41
not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen
before by God, even to us who ate and
drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
42
And He commanded us to preach to the people, and
to testify that it is He who was ordained by God
to be Judge of the living and the dead.
43
To Him all the prophets witness that, through
His name, whoever believes in Him will receive
remission of sins.”The Holy Spirit
Falls on the Gentiles
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 astonished, as many as came with
Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had
been poured out on the Gentiles also.
46
For they heard them speak with tongues and
magnify God. Then Peter answered,
47
“Can anyone forbid water, that these should not
be baptized who have 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 a few
days.
