THE BOOK OF ACTS

 

Acts Chapter 10

1 ¶ Now in Caesarea there was a certain man named Cornelius, a centurion of the unit known as the Italian brigade,

2 A devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, gave generously to those in need, and prayed to God regularly.

3 About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw a vision an angel of God entering, and saying to him, Cornelius.

4 And when he looked at the angel, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And the angel said to him, Your prayers and your alms have come up as a remembrance before God.

5 Now send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is also named Peter:

6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he will tell you what you should to do.

7 And when the angel who spoke to Cornelius had departed, he called two of his household servants, and a God-fearing soldier from among his personal attendants;

8 And after he told them everything that had happened, he sent them to Joppa.

9 ¶ At about the sixth hour on the following day, as they traveled, and were approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray:

10 And he became very hungry, and wanted something to eat: but while they were preparing the food, he fell into a trance,

11 And saw heaven opened, and something like a great sheet coming down to him, held by the four corners and lowered down to earth:

12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals, and wild animals, and creeping things, and birds of the air.

13 And a voice came to him, Get up, Peter; kill, and eat.

14 But Peter said, Surely not, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is unholy or unclean.

15 And the voice spoke to him a second time, Do not call what God has cleansed unholy.

16 This happened three times: and the sheet was taken back up into heaven.

17 Now while Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision that he had seen, the men who had been sent by Cornelius had asked directions to Simon’s house, and were standing before the gate,

18 And called out, asking if Simon, who is also called Peter, was staying there.

19 ¶ While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men are looking for you.

20 Therefore get up, go downstairs, and go with them, without hesitation: for I have sent them.

21 Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him by Cornelius; and said, I am the one you are looking for: why have you come?

22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one who fears God, and is well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was told by God through a holy angel to send for you to come to his house, and to listen to what you have to say.

23 Then Peter invited them in, and gave them lodging. And on the next day he went with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

24 On the following day they entered Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.

25 And as Peter arrived, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

26 But Peter raised him up, saying, Stand up; I myself am also a man.

27 And as he talked with him, Peter went in, and found that many were gathered there.

28 And he said to them, You know how that it is against our law for a man who is a Jew to associate, or visit someone of another nation; but God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.

29 Therefore I came to you without hesitation, as soon as I was sent for: So now I ask, Why have you sent for me?

30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour as I prayed in my house, a man in bright clothing stood before me,

31 And said, Cornelius, God has heard your prayer, and remembered your gifts of charity.

32 Therefore send to Joppa, and ask Simon, who is called Peter, to come to you; he is staying in the house of Simon the tanner by the sea side: who will speak to you, when he arrives.

33 Therefore I sent for you right away; and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God, to hear everything that God has commanded you to tell us.

34 ¶ Then Peter began to speak, and said, I now realize how true it is that God is no respecter of persons:

35 But in every nation those who fear him, and do what is right, are accepted by him.

36 This is the message that God sent to the children of Israel, proclaiming peace through Jesus Christ: (who is Lord of all:)

37 That message, deals with the events you know took place throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after the baptism that John preached;

38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: and how he went around doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with him.

39 And we are witnesses of everything that he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; yet they killed him by hanging him on a tree:

40 Whom God raised up the third day, causing him to be seen;

41 Not by all people, but by witnesses previously chosen by God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

42 And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one whom God has appointed to be the Judge of the living and dead.

43 All the prophets testify of him, that through his name whoever believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins.

44 ¶ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell on everyone who was listening to his message.

45 And the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been poured out on the Gentiles.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then Peter said,

47 Can any man forbid water, for these people, who have received the Holy Ghost just as we did, to be baptized?

48 So he directed them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they urged Peter to stay on for a few days.