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was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment. 2 He was a devout man who feared God, along with all his household. He gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about the ninth hour he distinctly saw in a vision an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
4 Cornelius was terrified when he saw him. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
The angel answered, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa and bring back Simon, who is also named Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
7 When the angel who spoke to Cornelius had gone, he called in two of his household servants and a devout soldier, who was one of his personal attendants. 8 After he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray about noon. 10 He became hungry and wanted to eat, but he fell into a trance while they were preparing something. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being lowered to the earth by its four corners. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13 Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter, kill and eat.”
14 “No Lord!” Peter replied. “For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15 Again, the voice spoke to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call common.”
16 This happened three times, and the object was taken up into heaven again.
17 Now while Peter was still wondering about the meaning of the vision he had seen, the men sent by Cornelius, having asked directions to Simon’s house, stood at the gate. 18 They called out, asking whether Simon, who was also named Peter, was staying there.
19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Three men are here looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs, and accompany them without any doubts, for I have sent them.”
21 Then Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
22 They answered, “Cornelius, a centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation, was directed from God by a holy angel to call you to his house, and to hear words from you.” 23 So Peter invited them in and gave them lodging.
The next day Peter got up and went off with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. 24 The following day he arrived at Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter was entering, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter helped him up. “Stand up,” he said. “I am only a man myself.”
27 While speaking with him, he went on in and found that many had come together there. 28 Peter said to them, “You know that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29 That’s why I came as soon as I was sent for without raising any objection. May I ask why you have sent for me?”
30 Cornelius answered, “Four days ago at this hour, about the ninth hour, I was praying in my house. Suddenly a man in a dazzling robe was standing before me, 31 and he said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your acts of charity have been remembered before God. 32 So send someone to Joppa and invite Simon who is called Peter here. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, who lives by the sea’. 33 So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
34 Then Peter began to speak: “In truth, I understand that God does not show any favouritism, 35 but in every nation the person who fears Him and does what is right is accepted by Him. 36 He sent the message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know the events that took place throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth 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.
39 “We are witnesses of everything He did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and caused Him to be seen. 41 But He was not revealed to all the people, but to us as witnesses whom God had already chosen, and who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that He is the one ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about Him that through His name everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been also poured out on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling the greatness of God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Can anyone withhold water and prevent these people from being baptised, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 So he instructed that they be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.