Acts 10

1Now there was a certain man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of the so-called Italian cohort.

2Devout and fearing God with his entire household, he gave abundant alms to the people and constantly prayed to God.

3About the ninth hour of the day he plainly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him and saying to him, "Cornelius!"

4Gazing intently at him and gripped by fear, he said, "What is it, Lord?" He said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God."

5And now send men to Joppa, and send for a certain Simon who is called Peter.

6He is staying with a certain Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.

7When the angel speaking with him departed, he called two of his household servants and a devout soldier among those attending him continually.

8Having told them everything, he sent them to Joppa.

9The next day, while those men traveled on and drew near the city, Peter went up onto the housetop to pray about the sixth hour.

10He became very hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing, a trance came upon him.

11And he saw heaven opened and a certain vessel descending, like a great sheet let down by four corners upon the earth.

12In which were all the four-footed animals, reptiles of the earth, and birds of the sky.

13And a voice came to him, "Get up, Peter, kill and eat."

14But Peter said, "No, Lord, for I have never eaten anything common or unclean."

15And the voice said to him again a second time, "What God has cleansed, you do not call common."

16This happened three times, and immediately the vessel was taken up into heaven.

17While Peter was perplexed within himself about what the vision he had seen might mean, behold, the men sent by Cornelius, having inquired for Simon's house, stood at the gate.

18They called and asked whether Simon, called Peter, was staying here.

19Now while Peter was deeply considering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "See, men are seeking you."

20But get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation, because I have sent them.

21Peter came down to the men and said, "See, I am the one you seek. What is the reason you are here?"

22They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man who fears God and is attested by the whole nation of the Jews, was instructed by a holy angel to send for you to his house and to hear words from you."

23So he welcomed them in and hosted them. The next day he rose and set out with them, and certain brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

24The next day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them, having called together his relatives and intimate friends.

25As Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him.

26But Peter lifted him, saying, "Stand up! I myself am also a man."

27As he talked with him, he entered and found many gathered.

28And he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to associate with or approach someone from another nation, but God has also shown me not to call any person common or unclean."

29Therefore I also came without objection when sent for. So I ask, for what reason did you send for me?

30Cornelius said, "Four days ago until this hour I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing."

31and said, “Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms have been remembered before God.”

32Therefore send to Joppa and call Simon, who is called Peter; he stays in the house of Simon the tanner beside the sea.

33So right then I sent for you, and you did well to come. Now therefore we are all here before God to hear everything commanded you by the Lord.

34Peter opened his mouth and said, "In truth I realize that God shows no partiality."

35But in every nation whoever fears him and practices righteousness is acceptable to him.

36The message he sent to the sons of Israel, proclaiming peace through Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all.

37You know the word that spread throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed.

38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, who passed through doing good and healing all those the devil was oppressing, because God was with him.

39And we are witnesses of all he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they also killed, hanging him on a tree.

40God raised him on the third day and gave him to become manifest.

41not to all the people, but to witnesses God had chosen in advance—to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

42And he charged us to proclaim to the people and testify that this one is the one God has appointed judge of the living and the dead.

43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those hearing the word.

45And the circumcised believers were astonished, all who had come with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been poured out on the Gentiles.

46For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered.

47Can anyone prevent these—who have received the Holy Spirit as we have—from being baptized in water?

48He ordered them to be baptized in Jesus Christ's name. Then they pleaded with him to stay several days.