Cornelius Sends for Peter

1Now there was a certain man at Cesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band: a pious man, 2and one that feared God, with all his house; giving also much alms to the people, and praying to God continually. 3He evidently saw in a vision, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius! 4and he looking earnestly at him, and being afraid, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up as a memorial before God. 5And now send men to Joppa, and fetch hither one Simon, whose sirname is Peter. 6He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea-side: he shall tell thee what thou must do. 7As soon as the angel, that spake to Cornelius, was departed, he called two of his domestic servants, and a devout soldier, that constantly attended him. 8And when he had related all to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Peter’s Vision

9On the morrow, while they were on their journey, and drawing near to the city, Peter went up on the top of the house to pray, about the sixth hour. 10And he was very hungry, and desired something to eat: but while they were getting it ready, he fell into a trance; and saw heaven opened, 11and some thing descending to him, like a great sheet tied at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12in which were all kinds of four-footed creatures, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13And there was a voice which said to him, Rise, Peter, kill and eat. 14But Peter said, By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing polluted or unclean. 15And the voice said to him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, do not thou account polluted. 16This was done thrice, and the vessel was taken up again into heaven.

Peter Called to Caesarea

17Now while Peter was doubting in himself what might be the meaning of the vision which he had seen, behold the men that were sent from Cornelius, having enquired for Simon's house, stood at the door; 18and called, and asked, if Simon sirnamed Peter lodged there. 19And as Peter was pondering upon the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold there are three men enquiring for thee: 20arise therefore and go down, and go along with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them. 21Then Peter went down to the men that were sent to him from Cornelius, and said, Behold I am the person whom ye seek: what is the cause for which ye are come? 22And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a righteous man, and one that feareth God, and of a good character among all the nation of the Jews, hath been warned from God by an holy angel, to send for thee to his house, and to hear what thou shalt say. 23Then he invited them in, and entertained them that night. And on the morrow Peter set out with them; and some of the brethren from Joppa went with him.

Peter Visits Cornelius

24And the next day they came into Cesarea; and Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relations and intimate friends. 25And as Peter came in, Cornelius met him, and falling down at his feet did him reverence. 26But Peter raised him up, saying, I myself also am a man. 27And as he was conversing with him, he went in, and found many assembled together. 28And he said unto them, Ye know how unlawful it is for a man that is a Jew, to associate with or go to the house of one of another nation: but God hath shewn me, that I should not call any man polluted or unclean. 29And therefore I came to you, when I was sent for, without demur. I ask therefore on what account ye sent for me.

30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting till this hour, and at the ninth hour I was praying in my house, when behold a man stood before me in bright raiment, 31and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are remembered before God. 32Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, who is sirnamed Peter, (he lodgeth in the house of one Simon a tanner, by the sea-side,) who when he cometh, will talk with thee. 33Immediately therefore I sent to thee, and thou hast done well that thou art come. And now we are all here present before God, to hear all the things which God hath charged thee with to us.

Good News for the Gentiles

34Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to Him. 36According to the declaration which He made to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37Ye know the report that was spread through all Judea, having begun from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached: concerning Jesus of Nazareth, 38how God anointed Him with the holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the devil: for God was with Him. 39And we are witnesses of all things that He did, both in the country of Judea, and in the city of Jerusalem: whom notwithstanding they put to death, hanging Him on a tree. 40Him God raised up the third day, and gave Him to be seen openly; not to all the people, 41but to witnesses before appointed by God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him, after He rose from the dead. 42And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He who is appointed by God to be judge of the living and of the dead. 43To Him do all the prophets bear witness, that whosoever believeth on Him shall receive the forgiveness of their sins through his name.

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

44While Peter was yet speaking these words, the holy Spirit fell upon all them that heard the word. 45And those of the circumcision that were believers, who came with Peter, were astonished, that the gift of the holy Spirit was conferred upon the Gentiles also: 46for they heard them speaking in divers languages, and glorifying God. 47Then said Peter, Can any one forbid water, that these persons should not be baptized, who have received the holy Spirit, as well as we? 48And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. And they desired him to stay there some days.