Acts Chapter 10
The Conversion of Cornelius
1 A centurion in Caesarea named Cornelius, from the Italian cohort, 2 was a devout God-fearer along with his household. He gave considerable charitable gifts to the people and prayed to God constantly. 3 In a vision about 3 o’clock, he saw an angel of God coming in and saying, “Cornelius.”
4 He looked at him and was afraid, “Yes, Sir?”
“Your prayers and charitable gifts have come up as a memorial to God. 5 Send some men to Joppa and summon Simon called Peter. 6 He’s staying with Simon a tanner whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel left, he called two household servants—his personal assistants—and a devout soldier. 8 He went through everything with them and sent them to Joppa.
Acts 10:1-8
9 The next day, as they were getting close to the town, Peter went up on the housetop about noon to pray. 10 He was getting hungry. While they were fixing lunch, he fell into a trance. 11 He watched the sky open up and something like a big sheet was let down to earth by four corners. 12 It held reptiles, birds, and four-footed animals.
13 A voice said, “Kill and eat them, Peter.”
14 “No, Sir; I’ve never eaten anything unclean.”
15 The voice spoke again, “Don’t you consider unclean what God has cleansed.”
16 That happened three times, and the vessel went back up into the sky.
Acts 10:9-16
17 While Peter was wondering what the vision could possibly mean, Cornelius’ men had asked around for Simon’s house and were standing at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon called Peter was staying there.
19 While he kept trying to figure out the vision, the Spirit said, “Three men are looking for you. 20 Go down and go with them without scruples. I’ve sent them.”
21 He went down and said, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
22 They said, “Cornelius is a centurion, a God-fearer with a good reputation in the Jewish nation. A holy angel directed him to invite you to his house to hear what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them in and put them up for the night. The next day he went with them, and some brothers from Joppa went along.
Acts 10:17-23
24 On the second day, he came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter came in, Cornelius met him and fell down to him in homage. 26 Peter raised him up, “Please stand up; I’m just a man too.” 27 As they talked, Peter went in and found a large group.
28 He told them, “You know a Jew’s not supposed to associate at home with a foreigner, but God has shown me not to consider anybody ceremonially unclean. 29 So without objecting, I came when you called. Why did you send for me?”
30 Cornelius said,
“Four days ago about this time, I was observing 3 o’clock prayer in my house. A man stood in front of me in bright clothes 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your charitable gifts. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon called Peter. He’s staying with Simon, a tanner next to the sea. 33 Right away I sent for you. Thank you for coming. We’re here in front of God to hear what the Lord has commanded you.”
Acts 10:24-33
34 Peter said,
“I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism with people. 35 But, in every nation he accepts people that respect him and live right. 36 He sent the message to the people of Israel, delivering good news about peace through Jesus the Messiah, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what took place all over Judaea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached. 38 God anointed Jesus the Nazarene with the Holy Spirit and power. He went around doing good and healing people the devil had oppressed, because God was with him. 39-40 We witnessed what he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. On the third day God raised up the One they killed on a tree and presented him clearly, 41 not to everybody, but to witnesses he’d previously chosen—to us who ate with him after his resurrection. 42 He sent us to tell the people that he’s the One God appointed to judge the living and the dead. 43 The prophets show that through him everybody who trusts in him has his sins forgiven.”
Acts 10:34-43
Gentiles Receive the Spirit
44 While Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on the audience. 45 The believers from the Circumcision who had come with Peter were surprised that God poured out the Holy Spirit on Gentiles too. 46 They heard them speak in languages and praise God.
Peter responded, 47 “Nobody can forbid water, can they, for baptizing these who have received the Holy Spirit like we did?” 48 He commanded to baptize them into Jesus the Messiah.
They asked him to stay for several days.
Acts 10:44-48