Acts 10:17-48

17Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in 1mind as to what 2the vision which he had seen might 3mean, behold, 4the men who had been sent by Cornelius had asked directions to Simon’s house, and they appeared at the gate; 18and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. 19While Peter was reflecting on 5the vision, 6the Spirit said to him, “Behold, 7three men are looking for you. 20But get up, go downstairs and 8accompany them 9without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” 21Peter went down to the men and said, “Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?” 22They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and 10God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, 11was divinely directed by a 12holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear 1314a message from you.” 23So he invited them in and gave them lodging.

Now on the next day he got ready and went away with them, and 15some of 16the brothers from 17Joppa accompanied him. 24On the following day he entered 18Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and 1920worshiped him. 26But Peter helped him up, saying, “21Stand up; I, too, am just a man.” 27As he talked with him, he entered and found 22many people assembled. 28And he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is 23forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a 24foreigner; and yet 25God has shown me that I am not to call any person 26unholy or unclean. 29That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask, for what reason did you send for me?”

30Cornelius said, “27Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during 28the 29ninth hour; and behold, 30a man stood before me in shining clothing, 31and he said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your charitable gifts have been remembered before God. 32Therefore send some men to 31Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner, by the sea.’ 33So I sent men to you immediately, and you have 32been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear everything that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

3433Opening his mouth, Peter said:

“I most certainly understand now that 34God is not one to show partiality, 35but 35in every nation the one who 3637fears Him and 38does what is right is acceptable to Him. 36The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, 39preaching 4041peace through Jesus Christ (He is 42Lord of all)-- 37you yourselves know the thing that happened throughout Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. 3843You know of 44Jesus of Nazareth, how God 45anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, 4647and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for 48God was with Him. 39We are 49witnesses of all the things that He did both in the 50country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on 5152a cross. 4053God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He 54be revealed, 4155not to all the people, but to 56witnesses who had been chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us 57who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42And He 58ordered us to 59preach to the people, and to 60testify solemnly that this is the One who has been 61appointed by God as 62Judge of the living and the dead. 4363All the prophets testify of Him, that through 64His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”

44While Peter was still speaking these words, 65the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the 66message. 4567All the 68Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been 69poured out on the Gentiles. 46For they were hearing them 70speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter responded, 47“71Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized, who 72have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 48And he 73ordered them to be baptized 74in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.