Peter and Cornelius

¹⁷While Peter was wondering within himself what the vision he had seen could mean, the men sent by Cornelius had found Simon's house and were standing at the gate. ¹⁸They called out and asked whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. ¹⁹While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Look, three men are looking for you." ²⁰"Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation, because I have sent them." ²¹So Peter went down to the men and said, "I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason you have come?" ²²They said, "Cornelius the centurion, a righteous man who fears God and is well spoken of by the entire Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say." ²³So Peter invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he left with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along with him. ²⁴The following day they arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had gathered his relatives and close friends. ²⁵When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. ²⁶But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up — I myself am also a man." ²⁷As he talked with him, he went inside and found many people gathered together. ²⁸He said to them, "You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with or visit someone of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean." ²⁹"That is why I came without objection when I was sent for. So I ask, for what reason did you send for me?" ³⁰Cornelius said, "Four days ago at this very hour, the ninth hour, I was praying in my house, and suddenly a man stood before me in bright clothing." ³¹"He said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your charitable giving has been remembered before God.'" ³²"'Send therefore to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also called Peter. He is staying in the house of Simon the tanner by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.'" ³³"So I sent for you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to hear everything that God has commanded you to say." ³⁴Then Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I understand that God shows no favoritism." ³⁵But in every nation, whoever fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. ³⁶"You know the word that God sent to the children of Israel, proclaiming peace through Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all." ³⁷"You know what took place throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed —" ³⁸"how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with him." ³⁹"We are witnesses of everything he did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree." ⁴⁰"But God raised him up on the third day and made him visible," ⁴¹"not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen beforehand by God — to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead." ⁴²"He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead." ⁴³"All 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 on all who were listening to the message. ⁴⁵The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles as well. ⁴⁶For they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter said, ⁴⁷"Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" ⁴⁸So he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay for several days.