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New Testament
Acts 10
Cornelius Sees a Vision
101At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, who was a centurion in what was called the Italian Regiment. 2He was devout and God-fearing, as was his entire family. He gave generous gifts to the poor and always prayed to God.
3One day at about the ninth hour,[] he clearly saw a vision in which an angel of God came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
4Cornelius stared at him in terror and replied, “What is it, Lord?”
The angel told him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the poor have gone up as a memorial offering before God. 5Now send men to Joppa to get a man named Simon, who is called Peter. 6He is staying as a guest with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
7When the angel who spoke to him had left, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier who was one of his personal attendants. 8After explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Peter Sees a Vision
9The next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray at about the sixth hour.[] 10He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing the meal, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and an object coming down. It was like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.[] 12In it were all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles[] of the earth and birds of the sky.
13Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!”
14But Peter said, “Certainly not, Lord, for I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15Yet the voice came to him a second time: “What God has made clean, you must not continue to call unclean.”
17While Peter was inwardly perplexed about what the vision he had seen might mean, just then the men who were sent by Cornelius arrived. They had asked for directions to Simon's house and were standing at the gate. 18They called out, asking if Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there as a guest.
19While Peter was still deep in thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “See, three men are looking for you! 20Now get up, go downstairs, and don't hesitate to go with them, because I have sent them.”
21Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. Why have you come?”
22They replied, “Cornelius the centurion is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is highly respected by the whole Jewish nation. He was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to listen to what you have to say.” 23So Peter invited them in and received them as guests.
Peter Goes to the Home of Cornelius
The next day, Peter got ready and left with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along with him. 24The following day, he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25As Peter was about to enter the house, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshipped him. 26But Peter helped him up and said, “Stand up! I too am just a man.”
27While he talked with him, Peter went inside and found many people gathered there. 28He said to them, “You understand how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to associate with or visit anyone who is not a Jew. But God showed me that I should no longer continue to call anyone impure or unclean. 29That is why I came without objection when you sent for me. May I ask why you sent for me?”
30Cornelius replied, “From four days ago to this hour, I have been fasting. At the ninth hour,[] I was praying in my house when a man in shining clothes suddenly stood in front of me. 31He said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your gifts to the poor have been remembered in God's sight. 32Therefore send to Joppa and call for Simon, who is called Peter. He is staying as a guest in the house of Simon the tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’[] 33So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now then, we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything that the Lord[] has instructed you to say.”
The Holy Spirit Comes On All Who Listen
34Then Peter began to speak: “Now I really am beginning to understand that God does not show favoritism, 35but in every nation, anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36He sent his word to the people of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
37“You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached. 38God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil, because God was with him.
39“Indeed, we are witnesses of all the things he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem, yet they killed him by hanging him on a cross.[] 40But God raised him on the third day and caused him to be seen, 41not by all the people, but by the witnesses God had already chosen—by us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify solemnly that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that, through his name, everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.”
44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who were listening to the message. 45All the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out, even on the Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in other languages and praising God.
Then Peter responded, 47“Certainly no one can refuse water for baptizing these people! They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48He gave directions that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.
Footnotes
- 10:3 3 PM
- 10:9 Noon
- 10:11 Some witnesses to the text read tied at the four corners and being let down to the earth.
- 10:12 Some witnesses to the text add and wild animals.
- 10:16 Some witnesses to the text add again.
- 10:30 3 PM
- 10:32 Some witnesses to the text omit this sentence.
- 10:33 Some witnesses to the text read God.
- 10:39 Or tree