1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a
centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2A devout man, and one
that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people,
and prayed to God alway.
3He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth
hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him,
Cornelius. 4And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is
it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up
for a memorial before God.
5And now send men to Joppa, and call for one
Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner,
whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to
do.
7And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he
called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that
waited on him continually; 8And when he had declared all these things
unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto
the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
10And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made
ready, he fell into a trance, 11And saw heaven opened, and a certain
vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the
four corners, and let down to the earth: 12Wherein were all manner of
fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things,
and fowls of the air.
13And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter;
kill, and eat.
14But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten
any thing that is common or unclean.
15And the voice spake unto him
again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou
common.
16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again
into heaven.
17Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had
seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had
made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate, 18And called,
and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
19While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him,
Behold, three men seek thee. 20Arise therefore, and get thee down, and
go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
21Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from
Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause
wherefore ye are come?
22And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that
feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was
warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to
hear words of thee.
23Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter
went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
24And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited
for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25And as
Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and
worshipped him. 26But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also
am a man.
27And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were
come together. 28And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an
unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one
of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any
man common or unclean. 29Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying,
as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent
for me?
30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour;
and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood
before me in bright clothing, 31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is
heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32Send
therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he
is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when
he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
33Immediately therefore I sent to
thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we
all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee
of God.
34Then 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 accepted with him.
36The word
which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus
Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37That word, I say, ye know, which was
published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the
baptism which John preached;
38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with
the Holy Ghost 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 land of the Jews, and
in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
40Him God raised up
the third day, and shewed him openly; 41Not to all the people, but unto
witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with
him after he rose from the dead.
42And he commanded us to preach unto
the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be
the Judge of quick and dead. 43To him give all the prophets witness,
that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission
of sins.
44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as
many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured
out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46For they heard them speak with
tongues, and magnify God.
Then answered Peter, 47Can any man forbid water, that these should
not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then
prayed they him to tarry certain days.