1Now there was in Caesarea a certain man named Cornelius, a centurion of a band that is called the Italian band, 2A devout man who also feared God with all his house, both in giving many alms to the people and in beseeching God continually in prayer. 3He clearly saw in a vision, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming to him and saying to him, "Cornelius." 4But as he fixed his eyes on him, he became afraid and said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have gone up for a memorial before God. 5And now send men to Joppa, and call for Simon who is surnamed Peter. 6He is lodging with a certain Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He shall tell you what you must do." 7And when the angel who had spoken to him departed, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who continually waited on him; 8And after relating everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

9And on the next day, about the sixth hour, as these were journeying and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray. 10And he became very hungry and desired to eat. But while they were preparing the meal, a trance fell upon him; 11And he saw the heaven opened; and a certain vessel descended upon him, like a great sheet, bound by the four corners and let down upon the earth; 12In which were all the four-footed beasts of the earth, including the wild beasts, and the creeping things and the birds of heaven. 13Then a voice came to him, saying, "Arise, Peter, kill and eat." 14But Peter said, "In no way, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean." 15And a voice came again the second time to him, saying, "What God has cleansed, you are not to call common." 16Now this took place three times, and the vessel was taken up again into heaven.

17And as Peter was questioning within himself what the vision that he saw might mean, the men who were sent from Cornelius, having inquired for the house of Simon, immediately stood at the porch; 18And they called out, asking if Simon who was surnamed Peter was lodging there. 19Then, as Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you; 20Now arise and go down, and go forth with them, doubting nothing, because I have sent them." 21And Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius and said, "Look, I am the one you are seeking. For what purpose have you come?" 22And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and who has a good report by the whole nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house, and to listen to words from you." 23Then he called them in to lodge there. And on the next day Peter went with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

24And on the next day, they came to Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his kinsmen and his intimate friends. 25And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet, worshiping him. 26But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up, for I myself am also a man." 27And as he was talking with him, he went in and found many gathered together. 28And he said to them, "You know that it is unlawful for a man who is a Jew to associate with or come near to anyone of another race. But God has shown me that no man should be called common or unclean. 29For this reason, I also came without objection when I was sent for. I ask therefore, for what purpose did you send for me?"

30And Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour I was praying in my house; and suddenly a man stood before me in bright apparel, 31And said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32Now then, send to Joppa and call for Simon who is surnamed Peter; he is lodging by the sea in the house of Simon, a tanner. When he comes, he will speak to you. ' 33Therefore, I sent for you at once; and you did well to come. So then, we are all present before God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God."

34Then Peter opened his mouth and said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons, 35But in every nation the one who fears Him and works righteousness is acceptable to Him. 36The word that He sent to the children of Israel, preaching the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all), 37You have knowledge of; which declaration came throughout the whole of Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism that John proclaimed, 38Concerning Jesus, Who was from Nazareth: how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him. 39And we are witnesses of all the things that He did, both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed Him by hanging Him on a tree. 40But God raised Him up the third day, and showed Him openly, 41Not to all the people, but to witnesses who had been chosen before by God, to those of us who did eat and drink with Him after He had risen from the dead. 42And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to fully testify that it is He Who has been appointed by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43To Him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in Him receives remission of sins through His name."

44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came upon all those who were listening to the message. 45And the believers from the circumcision were astonished, as many as had come with Peter, that upon the Gentiles also the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out; 46For they heard them speak in other languages and magnify God. Then Peter responded by saying, 47"Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have also received the Holy Spirit as we did?" 48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they besought him to remain for a number of days.