Act 10 | Comm | STEP | At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort,

Acts 10

1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave alms generously to the people and prayed to God continually. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, "Cornelius!" 4 And he stared at him in terror, and said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and bring a man named Simon who is called Peter; 6 he is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the sea." 7 When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants, 8 and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and was desiring something to eat; but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and he saw heaven opened, and something descending, like a great sheet, let down by four corners to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13 A voice came to him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat!" 14 But Peter said, "No, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean." 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, "What God has cleansed, you must not call common." 16 This happened three times, and immediately the thing was taken up to heaven. 17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, appeared at the gate. 18 They called out, asking whether Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

19 While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them myself." 21 Peter went down to the men and said, "Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason you have come?" 22 They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house, and to hear what you have to say." 23 So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went off with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24 On the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him. 26 But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am just a man." 27 As he talked with him, he went in and found many people assembled. 28 And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; but God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. I ask then why you sent for me." 30 Cornelius said, "Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments, 31 and he said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord."

34 And opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is welcome to him. 36 You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all). 37 You know what has happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which 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 all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him up on the third day and caused him to be seen, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank 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 appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 Of him all the prophets bear witness that 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 heard the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, 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 refuse the water for these people to be baptized who 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 on for a few days.