Cornelius’ and Peter’s Visions

1Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian [†]cohort, 2a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many [†]alms to the people and prayed to God continually. 3About the [†]ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had come in and said to him, “Cornelius!” 4And looking intently on him and becoming afraid, he said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and [†]alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5Now send some men to Joppa and summon a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; 6he is lodging with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the sea.” 7And when the angel who was speaking to him had left, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants, 8and after he explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

9And on the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the [†]sixth hour to pray. 10But he became hungry and was desiring to eat. And while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance 11and saw heaven opened up, and [†]an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, 12and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the [†]sky. 13And a voice came to him, “Rise up, Peter, [†]slaughter and eat!” 14But Peter said, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything defiled and unclean.” 15Again a voice came to him a second time, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider defiled.” 16And this happened three times and immediately the [†]object was taken up into heaven.

17Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in [†]mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon’s house, appeared at the gate; 18and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was lodging there. 19And while Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, [†]three men are looking for you. 20But rise up, go down and accompany them without taking issue at all, for I have sent them Myself.” 21And Peter went down to the men and said, “Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?” 22And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and hear [†]a message from you.” 23So he invited them in and gave them lodging.

Peter at Caesarea

And on the next day he rose up and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. 24And on the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25And when Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and [†]worshiped him. 26But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am just a man.” 27As he talked with him, he entered and found many people assembled. 28And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man defiled or unclean. 29That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was summoned. So I ask for what reason you have summoned me.”

30And Cornelius said, “Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the [†]ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments, 31and he said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your [†]alms have been remembered before God. 32Therefore send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is lodging at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.’ 33So I sent for you immediately, and you have [†]been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been ordered by the Lord.”

The Holy Spirit Poured Out on the Gentiles

34And opening his mouth, Peter said:

“I most truly comprehend now that God is not one to show partiality, 35but in every nation the one who [†]fears Him and does righteousness is welcome to Him. 36As for the word which He sent to the sons of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— 37you yourselves know the thing which happened throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. 38[†]You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, [†]and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39And we are witnesses of all the things He did both in the [†]land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree. 40God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He appear, 41not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42And He commanded us to [†]preach to the people, and solemnly to bear witness that this is the One who has been designated by God as Judge of the living and the dead. 43Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”

44While Peter was still speaking these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the word. 45And all the [†]circumcised believers who came with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered, 47“Can anyone refuse water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” 48And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for a few days.