Cornelius Sends for Peter

1But a certain man in Caesarea, -- by name Cornelius, a centurion of the band called Italic, 2pious, and fearing God with all his house, [both] giving much alms to the people, and supplicating God continually, 3saw plainly in a vision, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming unto him, And saying to him, Cornelius. 4But he, having fixed his eyes upon him, and become full of fear, said, What is it, Lord? And he said to him, Thy prayers and thine alms have gone up for a memorial before God. 5And now send men to Joppa and fetch Simon, who is surnamed Peter. 6He lodges with a certain Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. 7And when the angel who was speaking to him had departed, having called two of his household and a pious soldier of those who were constantly with him, 8and related all things to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Peter's Vision

(Leviticus 11:1-47; Deuteronomy 14:1-21)

9And on the morrow, as these were journeying and drawing near to the city, Peter went up on the house to pray, about the sixth hour. 10And he became hungry and desired to eat. But as they were making ready an ecstasy came upon him: 11and he beholds the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as a great sheet, [bound] by [the] four corners [and] let down to the earth; 12in which were all the quadrupeds and creeping things of the earth, and the fowls of the heaven. 13And there was a voice to him, Rise, Peter, slay and eat. 14And Peter said, In no wise, Lord; for I have never eaten anything common or unclean. 15And [there was] a voice again the second time to him, What God has cleansed, do not thou make common. 16And this took place thrice, and the vessel was straightway taken up into heaven.

Peter Summoned to Caesarea

17And as Peter doubted in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold also the men who were sent by Cornelius, having sought out the house of Simon, stood at the gate, 18and having called [some one], they inquired if Simon who was surnamed Peter was lodged there. 19But as Peter continued pondering over the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men seek thee; 20but rise up, go down, and go with them, nothing doubting, because I have sent them. 21And Peter going down to the men said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause for which ye come? 22And they said, Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man, and fearing God, and borne witness to by the whole nation of the Jews, has been divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for thee to his house, and hear words from thee. 23Having therefore invited them in, he lodged them. And on the morrow, rising up he went away with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa went with him.

Peter at Caesarea

24And on the morrow they came to Caesarea. But Cornelius was looking for them, having called together his kinsmen and [his] intimate friends. 25And when Peter was now coming in, Cornelius met him, and falling down did [him] homage. 26But Peter made him rise, saying, Rise up: I myself also am a man. 27And he went in, talking with him, and found many gathered together. 28And he said to them, Ye know how it is unlawful for a Jew to be joined or come to one of a strange race, and to me God has shewn to call no man common or unclean. 29Wherefore also, having been sent for, I came without saying anything against it. I inquire therefore for what reason ye have sent for me.

30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I had been [fasting] unto this hour, and the ninth [I was] praying in my house, and lo, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31and said, Cornelius, thy prayer has been heard, and thy alms have come in remembrance before God. 32Send therefore to Joppa and fetch Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodges in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea [who when he is come will speak to thee]. 33Immediately therefore I sent to thee, and thou hast well done in coming. Now therefore we are all present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

The Gentiles Hear the Good News

34And Peter opening his mouth said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, 35but in every nation he that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. 36The word which he sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ, (he is Lord of all things,) 37ye know; the testimony which has spread through the whole of Judaea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached -- 38Jesus who [was] of Nazareth: how God anointed him with [the] Holy Spirit and with power; who went through [all quarters] doing good, and healing all that were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39We also [are] witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem; whom they also slew, having hanged him on a cross. 40This [man] God raised up the third day and gave him to be openly seen, 41not of all the people, but of witnesses who were chosen before of God, us who have eaten and drunk with him after he arose from among [the] dead. 42And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he it is who was determinately appointed of God [to be] judge of living and dead. 43To him all the prophets bear witness that every one that believes on him will receive through his name remission of sins.

The Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit

(Joel 2:28-32; John 14:15-26; John 16:5-16; Acts 2:1-13; Acts 19:1-7)

44While Peter was yet speaking these words the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were hearing the word. 45And the faithful of the circumcision were astonished, as many as came with Peter, that upon the nations also the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out: 46for they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered, 47Can any one forbid water that these should not be baptised, who have received the Holy Spirit as we also [did]? 48And he commanded them to be baptised in the name of the Lord. Then they begged him to stay some days.