使徒行传 10
Chinese Standard Bible (Simplified)
百夫长哥尼流的异象
10 在凯撒里亚有一个名叫哥尼流的人，是那叫做“意大利”军团的百夫长， 2 他是个敬虔的人，与全家都敬畏神；他慷慨地周济民众，常常向神祷告。 3 有一天，大约下午三点[a]，他在异象中清楚地看见神的一位天使来到他面前，对他说：“哥尼流！”
4 哥尼流注视着他，感到害怕，说：“主啊，有什么事呢？”
天使说：“你的祷告和你的施舍，已经上达神的面前蒙记念了。 5 现在你要派人到约帕去，请一位称为彼得的西门来。 6 他在一个硝皮匠西门的家里作客住宿，房子就在海边[b]。[c]”
7 向哥尼流说话的天使离开以后，哥尼流叫来两个家仆和常伺候他的一个敬神的士兵， 8 向他们述说这一切以后，就派他们去约帕。
彼得的异象
9 第二天，当他们赶路快到约帕的时候，大约中午十二点[d]，彼得上屋顶去祷告。 10 他感到饿了，想吃东西。有人正在给他准备的时候，彼得魂游象外， 11 看见天开了，有一样东西降下，好像一块大布，四角捆住[e]，缒到地上。 12 里面有地上的各种四足动物、野兽[f]、爬行动物和天空的飞鸟。 13 接着有声音对他说：“彼得，起来，宰了吃！”
14 彼得却说：“主啊，千万不可！因为我从来没有吃过任何俗物和不洁净的东西。”
15 那声音第二次又对他说：“神所洁净的，你不可当做污秽的。” 16 这样一连有三次，那东西随即被收回天上去了。
彼得访问哥尼流
17 当彼得心里困惑，不知道所看见的异象是什么意思的时候，看哪，哥尼流派来的人已经打听到了西门的家，站在门口， 18 大声问：“是否有一位称为彼得的西门在这里作客住宿？”
19 彼得还在思考那异象的时候，圣灵对他说：“看哪，有三个人来找你！ 20 你起来，下去与他们一起走，不要有任何疑惑，因为是我派他们来的。”
21 彼得就下到[g]那些人那里，说：“看，我就是你们要找的人。你们来到这里是为了什么缘故呢？”
22 他们说：“百夫长哥尼流是个义人，敬畏神，也受到了犹太全族的赞许。他受一位圣天使的指示：要请你到他家去，听你的话语。” 23 彼得就请他们进来，招待了他们。
第二天，他起身与他们一同去，还有一些约帕的弟兄陪他一起去。 24 又过了一天，他们进了凯撒里亚。哥尼流已经召集了他的亲属和好友，等候着他们。 25 当彼得进去的时候，哥尼流就迎上去，俯伏在他的脚前拜他。
26 彼得扶他起来，说：“你起来，我自己也是个人。” 27 彼得与他说着话进去，看见里面聚集了许多人， 28 就对他们说：“你们知道，犹太人和外族人交往或亲近是律法所禁止的[h]。但是神指示我，不要把任何人当做俗的或不洁净的。 29 所以我一受邀请，没有推辞就来了。那么请问，你们请我来有什么事呢？”
30 哥尼流说：“四天前的这个时候[i]，下午三点[j]，我在家里祷告[k]。忽然有一个身穿明亮衣服的人，站在我面前， 31 说‘哥尼流，你的祷告已蒙垂听，你的施舍已经在神面前蒙记念了。 32 所以你当派人到约帕去，请一位称为彼得的西门来。他在海边硝皮匠西门的家里作客住宿。[l]’ 33 所以我就立即派人到你那里。你来了真好！现在我们都来到这里，在神的面前，聆听主[m]所吩咐你的一切话。”
向外邦人传福音
34 于是彼得就开口说：“我现在真的了解神是不偏待人的， 35 原来在各民族中，那敬畏神而行义的人，都是神所悦纳的。 36 神藉着耶稣基督——这一位就是万有之主——传和平[n]的福音，把这话语赐给了以色列子民。 37 你们知道在约翰所传讲的洗礼以后，那从加利利开始，在犹太全地所发生的事， 38 就是神怎样以圣灵和能力膏立拿撒勒人耶稣，他走遍各地行善，使所有受魔鬼压制的人痊愈，因为神与他同在。 39 我们就是他在犹太人之地和耶路撒冷所行的一切事的见证人。他们竟然把他挂在木头上杀了。 40 第三天，神使他复活，并且使他显现， 41 不是显现给全体民众，而是显现给神预先选定的见证人，就是我们这些在他从死人中复活以后，与他一起吃、一起喝的人。 42 耶稣还吩咐我们要向民众传道，郑重地见证他就是神所设定的那一位，活人和死人的审判者。 43 所有的先知都为耶稣见证：‘所有信他的人，都将藉着他的名，罪得赦免。’”
外邦人信主受洗
44 彼得还在讲这些话的时候，圣灵降临在每个听这话语的人身上。 45 所有陪彼得一起来的割礼派的[o]信徒，看见所赐的圣灵[p]也被倾注在外邦人身上，都十分惊讶， 46 因为他们听见外邦人说着殊言[q]，又尊神为大。
于是彼得说： 47 “这些人就像我们一样也领受了圣灵，到底谁能阻止用水给他们施洗[r]呢？” 48 他就吩咐他们奉耶稣基督[s]的名受洗[t]；然后他们请求彼得在那里多住几天。
Footnotes
- 使徒行传 10:3 下午三点——原文为“第九时刻”。
- 使徒行传 10:6 海——指“地中海”。
- 使徒行传 10:6 有古抄本附“他会告诉你应该做什么。”
- 使徒行传 10:9 中午十二点——原文为“第六时刻”。
- 使徒行传 10:11 有古抄本没有“捆住”。
- 使徒行传 10:12 有古抄本没有“野兽”。
- 使徒行传 10:21 有古抄本附“从哥尼流被派到他那里来的”。
- 使徒行传 10:28 律法所禁止的——或译作“可憎的”。
- 使徒行传 10:30 四天前的这个时候——有古抄本作“从四天前起直到这个时刻，我一直在禁食”。
- 使徒行传 10:30 下午三点——原文为“第九时刻”。
- 使徒行传 10:30 下午三点，我在家里祷告——原文直译“我正在家里做第九时刻的祷告”。
- 使徒行传 10:32 有古抄本附“他来了会向你说话。”
- 使徒行传 10:33 主——有古抄本作“神”。
- 使徒行传 10:36 和平——或译作“平安”。
- 使徒行传 10:45 割礼派的——或译作“受割礼的”。
- 使徒行传 10:45 所赐的圣灵——或译作“圣灵的恩赐”。
- 使徒行传 10:46 殊言——原文直译“舌头”；传统译法作“方言”。
- 使徒行传 10:47 施洗——或译作“施浸”。
- 使徒行传 10:48 耶稣基督——有古抄本作“主”。
- 使徒行传 10:48 受洗——或译作“受浸”。
Acts 10
Legacy Standard Bible
Cornelius’ and Peter’s Visions
10 Now there was a man at (A)Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was (B)called the Italian [a]cohort, 2 a devout man and (C)one who feared God with all his household, and (D)gave many [b]alms to the people and prayed to God continually. 3 About (E)the [c]ninth hour of the day he clearly saw (F)in a vision (G)an angel of God who had come in and said to him, “Cornelius!” 4 And (H)looking intently on him and becoming afraid, he said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and [d]alms (I)have ascended (J)as a memorial before God. 5 Now send some men to (K)Joppa and summon a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; 6 he is lodging with a tanner named (L)Simon, whose house is by the sea.” 7 And when the angel who was speaking to him had left, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants, 8 and after he explained everything to them, he sent them to (M)Joppa.
9 And on the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, (N)Peter went up on (O)the housetop about (P)the [e]sixth hour to pray. 10 But he became hungry and was desiring to eat. And while they were making preparations, he (Q)fell into a trance 11 and *saw (R)heaven opened up, and [f]an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, 12 and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the [g]sky. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise up, Peter, [h]slaughter and eat!” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, (S)Lord, for (T)I have never eaten anything defiled and unclean.” 15 Again a voice came to him a second time, “(U)What God has cleansed, no longer consider defiled.” 16 And this happened three times and immediately the [i]object was taken up into heaven.
17 Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in [j]mind as to what (V)the vision which he had seen might be, behold, (W)the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon’s house, appeared at the gate; 18 and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was reflecting on (X)the vision, (Y)the Spirit said to him, “Behold, [k]three men are looking for you. 20 But rise up, go down and (Z)accompany them without taking issue at all, for I have sent them Myself.” 21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and (AA)God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, (AB)was directed by a (AC)holy angel to summon you to his house and hear [l](AD)a message from you.” 23 So he invited them in and gave them lodging.
Peter at Caesarea
And on the next day he rose up and went away with them, and (AE)some of (AF)the brothers from (AG)Joppa went with him. 24 And on the following day he entered (AH)Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 And when Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and [m](AI)worshiped him. 26 But Peter raised him up, saying, “(AJ)Stand up; I too am just a man.” 27 As he talked with him, he entered and *found (AK)many people assembled. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how (AL)unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet (AM)God has shown me that I should not call any man defiled or unclean. 29 That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was summoned. So I ask for what reason you have summoned me.”
30 And Cornelius said, “(AN)Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during (AO)the [n]ninth hour; and behold, (AP)a man stood before me in shining garments, 31 and he *said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your [o]alms have been remembered before God. 32 Therefore send to (AQ)Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is lodging at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and you have [p]been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been ordered by the Lord.”
The Holy Spirit Poured Out on the Gentiles
34 (AR)And opening his mouth, Peter said:
“I most truly comprehend now that (AS)God is not one to show partiality, 35 but (AT)in every nation the one who [q](AU)fears Him and does righteousness is welcome to Him. 36 As for the word which He sent to the sons of Israel, (AV)proclaiming the good news of (AW)peace through Jesus Christ—He is (AX)Lord of all— 37 you yourselves know the thing which happened throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. 38 [r]You know of (AY)Jesus of Nazareth, how God (AZ)anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, [s](BA)and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for (BB)God was with Him. 39 And we are (BC)witnesses of all the things He did both in the [t]land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also (BD)put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree. 40 (BE)God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He appear, 41 (BF)not to all the people, but to (BG)witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us (BH)who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He (BI)commanded us to [u]preach to the people, and solemnly to (BJ)bear witness that this is the One who has been (BK)designated by God as (BL)Judge of the living and the dead. 43 Of Him (BM)all the prophets bear witness that through (BN)His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these things, (BO)the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the word. 45 (BP)And all the [v]circumcised believers who came with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been (BQ)poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them (BR)speaking with tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered, 47 “(BS)Can anyone refuse water for these to be baptized who (BT)have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” 48 And he (BU)ordered them to be baptized (BV)in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for a few days.
Footnotes
- Acts 10:1 Normally 600 men (the number varied); or battalion
- Acts 10:2 Or gifts of charity
- Acts 10:3 3 p.m.
- Acts 10:4 Or gifts of charity
- Acts 10:9 Noon
- Acts 10:11 Or a vessel
- Acts 10:12 Or heaven
- Acts 10:13 Or sacrifice
- Acts 10:16 Or vessel
- Acts 10:17 Lit himself
- Acts 10:19 One early ms two
- Acts 10:22 Lit words
- Acts 10:25 Or prostrated himself in reverence
- Acts 10:30 3 p.m.
- Acts 10:31 Or deeds of charity
- Acts 10:33 Lit done well in coming
- Acts 10:35 Or reverences
- Acts 10:38 Or How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
- Acts 10:38 Lit who went
- Acts 10:39 Or countryside
- Acts 10:42 Or proclaim
- Acts 10:45 Lit believers from among the circumcision
Acts 10
New King James Version
Cornelius Sends a Delegation
10 There was a certain man in (A)Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian [a]Regiment, 2 (B)a devout man and one who (C)feared God with all his household, who gave [b]alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About [c]the ninth hour of the day (D)he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?”
So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. 5 Now (E)send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6 He is lodging with (F)Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. (G)He[d] will tell you what you must do.” 7 And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. 8 So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Peter’s Vision
9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, (H)Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about [e]the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and (I)saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! (J)For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, (K)“What God has [f]cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.
Summoned to Caesarea
17 Now while Peter [g]wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. 18 And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.
19 While Peter thought about the vision, (L)the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. 20 (M)Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
21 Then Peter went down to the men [h]who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?”
22 And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and (N)has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” 23 Then he invited them in and lodged them.
On the next day Peter went away with them, (O)and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
Peter Meets Cornelius
24 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, (P)“Stand up; I myself am also a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 28 Then he said to them, “You know how (Q)unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But (R)God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”
30 So Cornelius said, [i]“Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, (S)a man stood before me (T)in bright clothing, 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, (U)your prayer has been heard, and (V)your [j]alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. [k]When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”
Preaching to Cornelius’ Household
34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: (W)“In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But (X)in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is (Y)accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the [l]children of Israel, (Z)preaching peace through Jesus Christ—(AA)He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and (AB)began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how (AC)God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who (AD)went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, (AE)for God was with Him. 39 And we are (AF)witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom [m]they (AG)killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him (AH)God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 (AI)not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us (AJ)who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And (AK)He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify (AL)that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge (AM)of the living and the dead. 43 (AN)To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, (AO)whoever believes in Him will receive (AP)remission[n] of sins.”
The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, (AQ)the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 (AR)And [o]those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, (AS)because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit (AT)just as we have?” 48 (AU)And he commanded them to be baptized (AV)in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Footnotes
- Acts 10:1 Cohort
- Acts 10:2 charitable gifts
- Acts 10:3 3 p.m.
- Acts 10:6 NU, M omit the rest of v. 6.
- Acts 10:9 Noon
- Acts 10:15 Declared clean
- Acts 10:17 was perplexed
- Acts 10:21 NU, M omit who had been sent to him from Cornelius
- Acts 10:30 NU Four days ago to this hour, at the ninth hour
- Acts 10:31 charitable gifts
- Acts 10:32 NU omits the rest of v. 32.
- Acts 10:36 Lit. sons
- Acts 10:39 NU, M they also
- Acts 10:43 forgiveness
- Acts 10:45 The Jews
Acts 10
The Voice
While Peter is in Joppa, another story is developing a day’s journey to the north along the Mediterranean coast.
10 Cornelius, a Roman Centurion and a member of a unit called the Italian Cohort, lived in Caesarea. 2 Cornelius was an outsider, but he was a devout man—a God-fearing fellow with a God-fearing family. He consistently and generously gave to the poor, and he practiced constant prayer to God. 3 About three o’clock one afternoon, he had a vision of a messenger of God.
Messenger of God: Cornelius!
Cornelius (terrified): 4 What is it, sir?
Messenger of God: God has heard your prayers, and He has seen your kindness to the poor. God has taken notice of you. 5-6 Send men south to Joppa, to the house of a tanner named Simon. Ask to speak to a guest of his named Simon, but also called Peter. You’ll find this house near the waterfront.
7 After the messenger departed, Cornelius immediately called two of his slaves and a soldier under his command—an especially devout soldier. 8 He told them the whole story and sent them to Joppa.
9 Just as these men were nearing Joppa about noon the next day, Peter went up on the flat rooftop of Simon the tanner’s house. He planned to pray, 10 but he soon grew hungry. While his lunch was being prepared, Peter had a vision of his own—a vision that linked his present hunger with what was about to happen: 11 A rift opened in the sky, and a wide container—something like a huge sheet suspended by its four corners—descended through the torn opening toward the ground. 12 This container teemed with four-footed animals, creatures that crawl, and birds—pigs, bats, lizards, snakes, frogs, toads, and vultures.
A Voice: 13 Get up, Peter! Kill! Eat!
Peter: 14 No way, Lord! These animals are forbidden in the dietary laws of the Hebrew Scriptures! I’ve never eaten nonkosher foods like these before—not once in my life!
A Voice: 15 If God calls something permissible and clean, you must not call it forbidden and dirty!
16 Peter saw this vision three times; but the third time, the container of animals flew up through the rift in the sky, the rift healed, 17 and Peter was confused and unsettled as he tried to make sense of this strange vision.
At that very moment, Peter heard the voices of Cornelius’s delegation, who had asked for directions to Simon’s house, coming from the front gate.
Delegation: 18 Is there a man named Simon, also called Peter, staying at this house?
19-20 Peter’s mind was still racing about the vision when the voice of the Holy Spirit broke through his churning thoughts.
Holy Spirit: The three men who are searching for you have been sent by Me. So get up! Go with them. Don’t hesitate or argue.
21 Peter rushed downstairs to the men.
Peter: I’m the one you’re seeking. Can you tell me why you’ve come?
Delegation: 22 We’ve been sent by our commander and master, Cornelius. He is a Centurion, and he is a good, honest man who worships your God. All the Jewish people speak well of him. A holy messenger told him to send for you, so you would come to his home and he could hear your message.
23 Peter extended hospitality to them and gave them lodging overnight. When they departed together the next morning, Peter brought some believers from Joppa.
24 They arrived in Caesarea the next afternoon just before three o’clock. Cornelius had anticipated their arrival and had assembled his relatives and close friends to welcome them. 25 When Peter and Cornelius met, Cornelius fell at Peter’s feet in worship, 26 but Peter helped him up.
Peter: Stand up, man! I am just a human being!
27 They talked and entered the house to meet the whole crowd inside.
Peter: 28 You know I am a Jew. We Jews consider it a breach of divine law to associate, much less share hospitality, with outsiders. But God has shown me something in recent days: I should no longer consider any human beneath me or unclean. 29 That’s why I made no objection when you invited me; rather, I came willingly. Now let me hear the story of why you invited me here.
Cornelius: 30 It was about this time of day four days ago when I was here, in my house, praying the customary midafternoon prayer. Suddenly a man appeared out of nowhere. His clothes were dazzling white, and he stood directly in front of me 31 and addressed me: “Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your kindness to the poor has been noticed by God. 32 God wants you to find a man in Joppa, Simon who is also called Peter, who is staying at the home of a tanner named Simon, near the seaside.” 33 I wasted no time, did just as I was told, and you have generously accepted my invitation. So here we are, in the presence of God, ready to take in all that the Lord has told you to tell us.
Peter: 34 It is clear to me now that God plays no favorites, 35 that God accepts every person whatever his or her culture or ethnic background, that God welcomes all who revere Him and do right. 36 You already know that God sent a message to the people of Israel; it was a message of peace, peace through Jesus the Anointed—who is King of all people. 37 You know this message spread through Judea, beginning in Galilee where John called people to be ritually cleansed through baptism.[a] 38 You know God identified Jesus as the uniquely chosen One by pouring out the Holy Spirit on Him, by empowering Him. You know Jesus went through the land doing good for all and healing all who were suffering under the oppression of the evil one, for God was with Him. 39 My friends and I stand as witnesses to all Jesus did in the region of Judea and the city of Jerusalem. The people of our capital city killed Him by hanging Him on a tree, 40 but God raised Him up on the third day and made it possible for us to see Him. 41 Not everyone was granted this privilege, only those of us whom God chose as witnesses. We actually ate and drank with Him after His resurrection. 42 He told us to spread His message to everyone and to tell them that He is the One whom God has chosen to be Judge, to make a just assessment of all people—both living and dead. 43 All the prophets tell us about Him and assert that every person who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through His name.
The true gospel is becoming increasingly clear as the church spreads and develops. What happens that day in Caesarea changes the face of Christianity forever. It builds a bridge from Jews to Gentiles, from insiders to outsiders, and sends the community of Jesus on a journey beyond the kind of religious and cultural barriers that all people erect. Through Peter’s short trip, the church makes an important journey toward reaching the ends of the earth because the message of Jesus is not for the Jews alone but for all people of all time. This is a hard lesson, and not everyone is eager to learn it.
44 Peter wasn’t planning to stop at this point, but the Holy Spirit suddenly interrupted and came upon all the people who were listening. 45-46 They began speaking in foreign languages (just as the Jewish disciples did on the Day of Pentecost), and their hearts overflowed in joyful praises to God. Peter’s friends from Joppa—all of them Jewish, all circumcised—were stunned to see that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on outsiders.
Peter: 47 Can anyone give any good reason not to ceremonially wash these people through baptism[b] as fellow disciples? After all, it’s obvious they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did on the Day of Pentecost.
48 So he had them baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. The new disciples asked him to stay for several more days.
Copyright © 2011 by Global Bible Initiative
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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