Cornelius Sends for Peter

1NOW there was a man at C‘sarea named Cornelius, a centurion of the cohort called the Italic, 2a man of piety, and who feared God with all his house, giving much alms to the people, and praying to God continually. 3He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, Cornelius. 4Then looking stedfastly on him, and being terrified, he said, What means this, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5And now send men to Joppa, and inquire for Simon, who is surnamed Peter: 6he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is near the sea: this man will tell thee what thou must do. 7But when the angel departed who spake to Cornelius, he called two of his domestics, and a pious soldier, persons who constantly were in attendance upon him; 8and relating all things to them, sent them to Joppa.

Peter’s Vision

9Then the next morning, as they were on their journey, and drew near to the city, Peter went up to the flat roof to pray about the sixth hour: 10and he grew very hungry, and desired something to eat: but whilst they were getting it ready, a sacred ecstacy fell upon him. 11And he saw heaven opened, and there descended to him a certain vessel, as a great sheet with chains at the four corners, and resting upon the earth: 12in which were all the quadrupeds of the earth, and wild beasts, and reptiles, and birds of the air. 13And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; slay and eat. 14But Peter said, By no means, Lord for I have never at any time eaten of any thing common or unclean. 15And the voice again a second time came to him, What God hath cleansed, call not thou unclean. 16This was thrice repeated: and the vessel was again taken up into heaven.

Peter Called to Caesarea

17But while Peter was perplexed in himself what was meant by the vision which he had seen, then, behold! the men which had been sent by Cornelius having inquired out the house of Simon, stood before the door, 18and calling, asked if Simon, surnamed Peter, lodged there. 19But while Peter was musing upon the vision, the Spirit said to him, Lo! three men are inquiring after thee. 20Arise then, and go down, and go with them, entertaining no doubt, for I have sent them. 21Then Peter went down to the men who were sent by Cornelius to him; and said, Lo! I am the person that ye ask for: what is the business on which ye are come hither? 22Then they said, Cornelius a centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report with all the nation of the Jews, has been divinely admonished by a holy angel to send for thee to his house, to hear words from thee. 23Then inviting them in, he lodged them there. And the next morning Peter went with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

Peter Visits Cornelius

24And the next day they entered into C‘sarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them, having called together his relations and nearest friends. 25And as Peter was entering, Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, paid him homage. 26But Peter raised him up, saying, Arise; I also myself am a man. 27And conversing with him, he entered, and found many assembled together. 28And he said unto them, Ye know how contrary it is to established usage, for a man who is a Jew to associate with or visit one of another nation; but God hath shewed me to call no man common or unclean. 29Wherefore also without a word, I came when invited: I beg to know therefore for what purpose ye have sent for me?

30Then Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting till this hour; and at the ninth hour I was praying in my house, and, lo! a man stood before me in shining apparel, 31and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thy alms are remembered before God. 32Send therefore to Joppa, and invite Simon, whose surname is Peter, to come to thee; he lodgeth in the house of Simon the tanner, near the sea: who, when he is come will talk with thee. 33Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast done well in coming. Now therefore are all we here present before God, to hear all things that are given in charge to thee from God.

Good News for the Gentiles

34Then Peter opening his mouth, said, In truth I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons: 35but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him. 36The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ, (he is Lord of all,) ye know: 37even that which was the common talk through all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38respecting Jesus, who was of Nazareth, how God had anointed him with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were tyrannically oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the region of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they killed suspending him on a tree: 40him God raised up the third day, and ordained that he should be visibly manifested; 41not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he was arisen from the dead. 42And hath commanded us to proclaim to the people, and to bear our testimony that this is the person who is ordained of God the Judge of the living and the dead. 43To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one who believeth in him, shall receive remission of sins.

The Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit
(Acts 19:1–7)

44While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all who heard the discourse. 45And they of the circumcision who were believers, as many as came with Peter, were amazed, because even on the Gentiles the gift of the holy Ghost was poured out. 46For they heard them speaking in different languages, and magnifying God. Then Peter addressed them, 47Can any one forbid the water for baptising these persons, who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48So he commanded them to be baptised in the name of the Lord. Then they entreated him to tarry there some days.