1Now there was a certain man in Cæsarea , Cornelius by name , a centurion of the band called the Italian band , 2a devout man , and one that feared God with all his house , who gave much alms to the people , and prayed to God always . 3He saw in a vision openly , as it were about the ninth hour of the day , an angel of God coming in unto him , and saying to him , Cornelius . 4And he , fastening his eyes upon him , and being affrighted , said , What is it , Lord ? And he said unto him , Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God . 5And now send men to Joppa , and fetch one Simon , who is surnamed Peter : 6he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner , whose house is by the sea side . 7And when the angel that spake unto him was departed, he called two of his household-servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually ; 8and having rehearsed all things unto them , he sent them to Joppa . 9Now on the morrow , as they were on their journey , and drew nigh unto the city , Peter went up upon the housetop to pray , about the sixth hour : 10and he became hungry , and desired to eat : but while they made ready , he fell into a trance ; 11and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending , as it were a great sheet , let down by four corners upon the earth : 12wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven . 13And there came a voice to him , Rise, Peter ; kill and eat . 14But Peter said , Not so , Lord ; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean . 15And a voice came unto him again the second time , What God hath cleansed , make not thou common . 16And this was done thrice : and straightway the vessel was received up into heaven . 17Now while Peter was much perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean , behold , the men that were sent by Cornelius , having made inquiry for Simon ’s house , stood before the gate , 18and called and asked whether Simon , who was surnamed Peter , were lodging there . 19And while Peter thought on the vision , the Spirit said unto him , Behold , three men seek thee. 20But arise, and get thee down , and go with them , nothing doubting : for I have sent them . 21And Peter went down to the men , and said , Behold , I am he whom ye seek : what is the cause wherefore ye are come ? 22And they said , Cornelius a centurion , a righteous man and one that feareth God , and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews , was warned of God by a holy angel to send for thee into his house , and to hear words from thee. 23So he called them in and lodged them . And on the morrow he arose and went forth with them , and certain of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him .
The Gentile's Invitation
24And on the morrow they entered into Cæsarea . And Cornelius was waiting for them , having called together his kinsmen and his near friends . 25And when it came to pass that Peter entered , Cornelius met him , and fell down at his feet , and worshipped him . 26But Peter raised him up , saying , Stand up ; I myself also am a man. 27And as he talked with him , he went in , and findeth many come together : 28and he said unto them , Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and yet unto me hath God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean : 29wherefore also I came without gainsaying, when I was sent for . I ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me . 30And Cornelius said , Four days ago, until this hour , I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house ; and behold , a man stood before me in bright apparel , 31and saith , Cornelius , thy prayer is heard , and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God . 32Send therefore to Joppa , and call unto thee Simon , who is surnamed Peter ; he lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner , by the sea side . 33Forthwith therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come . Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God , to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord .
Peter's Preaching to Cornelius
34And Peter opened his mouth , and said , Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons : 35but in every nation he that feareth him , and worketh righteousness , is acceptable to him . 36The word which he sent unto the children of Israel , preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ ( he is Lord of all )— 37that saying ye yourselves know , which was published throughout all Judæa , beginning from Galilee , after the baptism which John preached ; 38even Jesus of Nazareth , how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power : who went about doing good , and healing all that were oppressed of the devil ; for God was with him . 39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews , and in Jerusalem ; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree . 40Him God raised up the third day , and gave him to be made manifest , 41not to all the people , but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God , even to us , who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead . 42And he charged us to preach unto the people , and to testify that this is he who is ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and the dead . 43To him bear all the prophets witness , that through his name every one that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins. 44While Peter yet spake these words , the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word . 45And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed , as many as came with Peter , because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit . 46For they heard them speak with tongues , and magnify God . Then answered Peter , 47Can any man forbid the water , that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we ? 48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ . Then prayed they him to tarry certain days .