Acts
10 But a certain man in Caesarea by name Cornelius, a centurion of the band called Italian,—
2 devout and fearing God with all his house, doing many alms unto the people and supplicating God continually
3 saw in a vision manifestly as if about the ninth hour of the day, a messenger of God coming in unto him, and saying unto him—Cornelius!
4 And he looking steadfastly at him and becoming full of fear said—What is it, Lord? And he said unto him—Thy prayers and thine alms have gone up for a memorial before God.
5 Now therefore send men unto Joppa, and fetch one Simon who is surnamed Peter,—
6 the same is a guest with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea.
7 And when the messenger who had been speaking with him had departed calling two of the domestics and a devout soldier of them that constantly attended him,
8 and relating everything unto them he sent them off unto Joppa.
9 Now on the morrow, as those men were journeying and unto the city drawing near Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the sixth hour;
10 but he became hungry and wished to eat,—and while they were making ready there came upon him a trance;
11 and he beholdeth heaven opened, and coming down a kind of vessel like a large linen cloth by its four corners being let down upon the earth,
12 in which were all the quadrupeds and creeping things of earth and birds of heaven.
13 And there came a voice unto him—Rise, Peter! sacrifice and eat.
14 But Peter said—By no means Lord! because at no time have I eaten anything common or unclean.
15 And a voice [came] again a second time unto him—What things God hath cleansed be not thou making common.
16 Now this took place thrice; and straightway was the vessel taken up into heaven.
17 And as within himself Peter was doubting what the vision which he had seen might mean lo! the men who had been sent by Cornelius having sought out the house of Simon stood at the gate,
18 and calling enquired whether Simon who was surnamed Peter was there being entertained.
19 And as Peter was pondering over the vision the Spirit said—Lo! two men, seeking thee.
20 But rise, go down, and be journeying with them nothing doubting; because I have sent them.
21 And Peter going down unto the men said—Lo! I am he whom ye are seeking: What is the cause for which ye are come?
22 And they said—Cornelius a centurion, a man righteous and fearing God, well-attested by the whole nation of the Jews hath been divinely instructed by a holy messenger to send for thee unto his house, and to hear words from thee.
23 Inviting them in therefore he entertained them; but on the morrow he rose up and went forth with them, and certain of the brethren who were from Joppa went with him;
24 and on the morrow he entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was expecting them, having called together his kinsfolk and intimate friends.
25 And when it came about that Peter entered Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet did homage.
26 But Peter raised him up, saying—Arise! I also myself am a man.
27 And conversing with him he went in, and findeth many come together;
28 and said unto them—Ye well know how unlawful it is, for a Jew to be joining himself or coming in unto one of another race. And yet unto me hath God pointed out that I should be calling no man common or unclean.
29 Wherefore even without gainsaying came I when sent for. I ask therefore for what reason ye sent for me.
30 And Cornelius said—Four days ago, counting unto this very hour I was keeping the ninth hour as one of prayer in my house. And lo! a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31 and saith—Cornelius! Thy prayer hath been heard, And thine alms have been remembered before God.
32 Send therefore unto Joppa, and fetch Simon who is surnamed Peter. The same is being entertained in the house of one Simon a tanner, by the sea.
33 Immediately therefore I sent unto thee: Thou also hast well done in coming. Now therefore all we before God are present, to hear all things that have been enjoined upon thee by the Lord.
34 And Peter opening his mouth said—Of a truth I find that God is no respecter of persons;
35 but in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is acceptable unto him.
36 As touching the word he hath sent unto the sons of Israel, announcing the glad tidings of peace through Jesus Christ—the same is Lord of all
37 ye yourselves know what hath come to pass throughout the whole of Judaea, beginning from Galilee after the immersion which John proclaimed, respecting Jesus who was of Nazareth:—
38 How God anointed him with Holy Spirit and with power, Who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the adversary, because God was with him.
39 We also are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews and Jerusalem; Whom they even slew by suspending upon a tree;—
40 The same God raised up on the third day, and gave him to become manifest,
41 not unto all the people but unto witnesses who had been fore-appointed by God, unto us who indeed did eat and drink with him after his rising from among the dead.
42 And he charged us to proclaim unto the people and bear full witness, that—This is he that hath been marked out by God to be judge of living and dead.
43 Unto the same do all the prophets bear witness That remission of sins is to be received through his name by every one that believeth on him.
44 While Peter was yet speaking these words the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were hearing the word.
45 And the faithful of the circumcision who had come with Peter were amazed,—in that upon the nations also the free-gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out;
46 for they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. Then answered Peter—
47 Surely then the water can no man forbid, that these should not be immersed,—seeing that the Holy Spirit they have received as well as we.
48 And he commanded them in the name of Jesus Christ to be immersed. Then requested they him to abide still some days.