Acts 10:1-7

1Now at Caesarea [Maritima] there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Regiment,

2a devout man and one who, along with all his household, feared God. He made many charitable donations to the Jewish people, and prayed to God always.

3About the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.) of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had come to him and said, “Cornelius!”

4Cornelius was frightened and stared intently at him and said, “What is it, lord (sir)?” And the angel said to him, “Your prayers and gifts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God [an offering made in remembrance of His past blessings].

5Now send men to Joppa and have them call for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter [and invite him here];

6he is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”

7When the angel who was speaking to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among his own personal attendants;