10Acts 10

Peter and Cornelius

1In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, who was the captain of a group of soldiers called “The Italian Unit.”Select Acts 10:1

2Cornelius was a very religious man. He worshiped God, and so did everyone else who lived in his house. He had given a lot of money to the poor and was always praying to God.Select Acts 10:2

3One afternoon at about three o'clock, Cornelius had a vision. He saw an angel from God coming to him and calling him by name.Select Acts 10:3

4Cornelius was surprised and stared at the angel. Then he asked, “What is this all about?” The angel answered, “God has heard your prayers and knows about your gifts to the poor.Select Acts 10:4

5Now send some men to Joppa for a man named Simon Peter.Select Acts 10:5

6He is staying with Simon the leather maker, who lives in a house near the sea.”Select Acts 10:6

7After saying this, the angel left. Cornelius called in two of his servants and one of his soldiers who worshiped God.Select Acts 10:7

8He explained everything to them and sent them off to Joppa.Select Acts 10:8

9The next day about noon these men were coming near Joppa. Peter went up on the roof of the house to praySelect Acts 10:9

10and became very hungry. While the food was being prepared, he fell sound asleep and had a vision.Select Acts 10:10

11He saw heaven open, and something came down like a huge sheet held up by its four corners.Select Acts 10:11

12In it were all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds.Select Acts 10:12

13A voice said to him, “Peter, get up! Kill these and eat them.”Select Acts 10:13

14But Peter said, “Lord, I can't do that! I've never eaten anything that is unclean and not fit to eat.”Select Acts 10:14

15The voice spoke to him again, “When God says that something can be used for food, don't say it isn't fit to eat.”Select Acts 10:15

16This happened three times before the sheet was suddenly taken back to heaven.Select Acts 10:16

17Peter was still wondering what all this meant, when the men sent by Cornelius came and stood at the gate. They had found their way to Simon's houseSelect Acts 10:17

18and were asking if Simon Peter was staying there.Select Acts 10:18

19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men are here looking for you.Select Acts 10:19

20Hurry down and go with them. Don't worry, I sent them.”Select Acts 10:20

21Peter went down and said to the men, “I am the one you are looking for. Why have you come?”Select Acts 10:21

22They answered, “Captain Cornelius sent us. He is a good man who worships God and is liked by the Jewish people. One of God's holy angels told Cornelius to send for you, so he could hear what you have to say.”Select Acts 10:22

23Peter invited them to spend the night. The next morning, Peter and some of the Lord's followers in Joppa left with the men who had come from Cornelius.Select Acts 10:23

24The next day they arrived in Caesarea where Cornelius was waiting for them. He had also invited his relatives and close friends.Select Acts 10:24

25When Peter arrived, Cornelius greeted him. Then he knelt at Peter's feet and started worshiping him.Select Acts 10:25

26But Peter took hold of him and said, “Stand up! I am nothing more than a human.”Select Acts 10:26

27As Peter entered the house, he was still talking with Cornelius. Many people were there,Select Acts 10:27

28and Peter said to them, “You know that we Jews are not allowed to have anything to do with other people. But God has shown me that he doesn't think anyone is unclean or unfit.Select Acts 10:28

29I agreed to come here, but I want to know why you sent for me.”Select Acts 10:29

30Cornelius answered: Four days ago at about three o'clock in the afternoon I was praying at home. Suddenly a man in bright clothes stood in front of me.Select Acts 10:30

31He said, “Cornelius, God has heard your prayers, and he knows about your gifts to the poor.Select Acts 10:31

32Now send to Joppa for Simon Peter. He is visiting in the home of Simon the leather maker, who lives near the sea.”Select Acts 10:32

33I sent for you at once, and you have been good enough to come. All of us are here in the presence of the Lord God, so that we can hear what he has to say.Select Acts 10:33

34Peter then said: Now I am certain that God treats all people alike.Select Acts 10:34

35God is pleased with everyone who worships him and does right, no matter what nation they come from.Select Acts 10:35

36This is the same message that God gave to the people of Israel, when he sent Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, to offer peace to them.Select Acts 10:36

37You surely know what happened everywhere in Judea. It all began in Galilee after John had told everyone to be baptized.Select Acts 10:37

38God gave the Holy Spirit and power to Jesus from Nazareth. He was with Jesus, as he went around doing good and healing everyone who was under the power of the devil.Select Acts 10:38

39We all saw what Jesus did both in Israel and in the city of Jerusalem. Jesus was put to death on a cross.Select Acts 10:39

40But three days later, God raised him to life and let him be seen.Select Acts 10:40

41Not everyone saw him. He was seen only by us, who ate and drank with him after he was raised from death. We were the ones God chose to tell others about him.Select Acts 10:41

42God told us to announce clearly to the people that Jesus is the one he has chosen to judge the living and the dead.Select Acts 10:42

43Every one of the prophets has said that all who have faith in Jesus will have their sins forgiven in his name.Select Acts 10:43

44While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit took control of everyone who was listening.Select Acts 10:44

45Some Jewish followers of the Lord had come with Peter, and they were surprised that the Holy Spirit had been given to Gentiles.Select Acts 10:45

46Now they were hearing Gentiles speaking unknown languages and praising God. Peter said,Select Acts 10:46

47“These Gentiles have been given the Holy Spirit, just as we have! I am certain that no one would dare stop us from baptizing them.”Select Acts 10:47

48Peter ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and they asked him to stay on for a few days.Select Acts 10:48