The case of Cornelius
1Now there was a certain man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,
2devout and fearing God with all his household, both giving alms generously to the people and praying to God about everything. 239
3About the ninth hour of the day, 240in a vision, he saw clearly an angel of God entering his presence and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
4Well, staring at him and being frightened he said, “What is it, Lord?” So he said to him: “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.
5Now send men to Joppa and summon Simon, who is surnamed Peter;
6he is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 241
7So when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who were faithful to him,
8and explaining everything to them he sent them to Joppa.
God prepares Peter
9Now on the next day, as they were traveling and drawing near to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon. 242
10Well he became hungry and wanted to eat; but while they were preparing, a trance fell on him,
11and he saw the heaven opened and a container like a great sheet descending to him—it was tied at the four corners and was being let down to the earth—
12in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth (both wild animals and reptiles) and birds of the sky. 243
13Then a voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, slaughter and eat!”
14But Peter said: “No way, Lord! Never have I eaten anything ‘common’ 244or unclean!”
15So the voice came to him a second time, “What (pl) God has made clean you must not call ‘common’!”
16Well this happened three times, and then the object was taken back up into the sky.
The messengers arrive
17Now as Peter was really perplexed within himself as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, well the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having inquired and found Simon's house, stood before the gate,
18and calling out they inquired whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, was staying there as a guest.
19So as Peter was pondering the vision the Spirit said to him: “Listen, some men are looking for you;
20so get up and go downstairs; and go with them, doubting nothing, for I have sent them.”
21So going down to the men 245Peter said: “Yes, I am the one you are looking for. For what reason have you come?”
22So they said: “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man, well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by an angel 246to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.”
23So he invited them in and put them up. On to Caesarea The next day Peter set out with them, also some of the brothers from Joppa went with him;
24and the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, 247having called together his relatives and close friends.
25So when Peter actually arrived, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet and worshiped.
26But Peter lifted him up, saying: “Stand up! I myself am also a man.”
27And conversing with him he went in and found many gathered there.
28Then he said to them: “You know how it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with or to approach a different race; but God has shown me that I should not call any man ‘common’ or unclean.
29Therefore also I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. So I ask, for what reason did you send for me?”
30So Cornelius said: “I have been fasting 248during four days until this very hour; yes, it was the ninth hour, 249I was praying in my house when wow, a man stood before me in shining clothing
31and said: ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms are remembered before God.
32Send therefore to Joppa and summon Simon, who is surnamed Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea; upon arriving he will speak to you.’ 250
33So I sent to you at once, and you did well to come. Now then, we are all present before God to hear all the things commanded you by God.” 251
Peter preaches
34So opening his mouth Peter said: “Really, I comprehend that God is not One to show partiality,
35but in every ethnic nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is acceptable to Him. 252
36The word that He sent to the sons 253of Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—
37that spoken word you know, that was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism that John preached: 254
38Jesus of Natsareth, how God anointed Him with Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good and healing all those being oppressed by the devil, 255because God was with Him
39—yes, we are witnesses of all that He did, both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem—whom they also killed, hanging Him on a tree.
40Him God raised on the third day, and gave Him to become visible,
41not to all the people but to witnesses who had been chosen beforehand by God, to us, who ate and drank with Him after He arose out from the dead. 256
42And He ordered us to proclaim to the people, that is, to testify that He is the One who has been ordained by God as Judge of living and dead.
43To Him all the prophets bear witness 257that through His name 258everyone who believes into Him will receive forgiveness of sins.” 259
The Holy Spirit falls
44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were hearing the message. 260
45Well the believers of the circumcision [Jews] who had come with Peter were astonished, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been poured out on the Gentiles,
46in that they heard them speaking languages 261and magnifying God. Then Peter responded:
47“Surely no one can forbid the water, can he, that these should not be baptized 262who received the Holy Spirit just like we did?”
48So he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 263Then they asked him to stay a few days.
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