Acts 10
1 In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in the cohort called the Italian.
2 He was devout and feared God, along with his whole household. He gave generously to the people and prayed to God continually.
3 In a vision, at about three in the afternoon, he clearly saw an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius!”
4 He stared at him and, filled with fear, asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel replied, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have risen as a memorial before God.
5 Now send men to Joppa and summon a certain Simon, who is also called Peter.
6 He is staying with a certain Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
7 When the angel who had been speaking to him left, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who served him.
8 He explained everything to them and sent them to Joppa.
9 The next day, while they were on their way and nearing the city, Peter went up to the rooftop to pray, at about noon.
10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat. While the food was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
11 He saw heaven opened and something descending, 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 sky.
13 A voice came to him: “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.”
14 But Peter said, “Certainly not, Lord, for I have never eaten anything profane or unclean.”
15 The voice came to him again, a second time: “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.”
16 This happened three times, and at once the object was taken up into heaven.
17 While Peter was puzzled, wondering what the vision he had seen might mean, the men sent by Cornelius, having asked for Simon’s house, arrived at the gate.
18 They called out and asked whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there.
19 While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit said, “Look, two men are looking for you.
20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation, because I have sent them.”
21 Peter went down to the men and said, “Here I am, the one you are looking for. Why have you come?”
22 They said, “Cornelius the centurion, a righteous man who fears God and is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and hear what you have to say.”
23 So Peter invited them in and hosted them. The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along with him.
24 The following day he entered Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, having gathered his relatives and close friends.
25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him.
26 But Peter raised him up, saying, “Get up; I too am a human being.”
27 As he talked with him, he went inside and found many people gathered there.
28 He said to them, “You know that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate with or visit someone from another people. But God has shown me that I must not call anyone profane or unclean.
29 That is why, when I was summoned, I came without objection. So I ask: why did you send for me?”
30 Cornelius said, “Four days ago, at this very hour, I was praying in my house at three in the afternoon, and a man in shining clothes stood before me.
31 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 summon Simon, who is also called Peter. He is staying in the house of Simon the tanner, by the sea.’
33 So I sent for you at once, and you were kind to come. Now, then, we are all here in God’s presence to hear everything the Lord has commanded you.”
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I truly understand that God shows no favoritism.
35 Rather, in every nation, anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
36 He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all.
37 You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after the baptism John proclaimed:
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with him.
39 We are witnesses of everything he did in the region of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree.
40 God raised him on the third day and allowed him to be seen,
41 not by all the people, but by witnesses chosen beforehand by God—by us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
42 He commanded us to proclaim to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead.
43 All the prophets testify about him: everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were listening to the message.
45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.
46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,
47 “Can anyone withhold the water and prevent these people from being baptized, since they have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.
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