使徒行傳 10
Chinese Standard Bible (Traditional)
百夫長哥尼流的異象
10 在凱撒里亞有一個名叫哥尼流的人，是那叫做「意大利」軍團的百夫長， 2 他是個敬虔的人，與全家都敬畏神；他慷慨地賙濟民眾，常常向神禱告。 3 有一天，大約下午三點[a]，他在異象中清楚地看見神的一位天使來到他面前，對他說：「哥尼流！」
4 哥尼流注視著他，感到害怕，說：「主啊，有什麼事呢？」
天使說：「你的禱告和你的施捨，已經上達神的面前蒙記念了。 5 現在你要派人到約帕去，請一位稱為彼得的西門來。 6 他在一個硝皮匠西門的家裡作客住宿，房子就在海邊[b]。[c]」
7 向哥尼流說話的天使離開以後，哥尼流叫來兩個家僕和常伺候他的一個敬神的士兵， 8 向他們述說這一切以後，就派他們去約帕。
彼得的異象
9 第二天，當他們趕路快到約帕的時候，大約中午十二點[d]，彼得上屋頂去禱告。 10 他感到餓了，想吃東西。有人正在給他準備的時候，彼得魂遊象外， 11 看見天開了，有一樣東西降下，好像一塊大布，四角捆住[e]，縋到地上。 12 裡面有地上的各種四足動物、野獸[f]、爬行動物和天空的飛鳥。 13 接著有聲音對他說：「彼得，起來，宰了吃！」
14 彼得卻說：「主啊，千萬不可！因為我從來沒有吃過任何俗物和不潔淨的東西。」
15 那聲音第二次又對他說：「神所潔淨的，你不可當做汙穢的。」 16 這樣一連有三次，那東西隨即被收回天上去了。
彼得訪問哥尼流
17 當彼得心裡困惑，不知道所看見的異象是什麼意思的時候，看哪，哥尼流派來的人已經打聽到了西門的家，站在門口， 18 大聲問：「是否有一位稱為彼得的西門在這裡作客住宿？」
19 彼得還在思考那異象的時候，聖靈對他說：「看哪，有三個人來找你！ 20 你起來，下去與他們一起走，不要有任何疑惑，因為是我派他們來的。」
21 彼得就下到[g]那些人那裡，說：「看，我就是你們要找的人。你們來到這裡是為了什麼緣故呢？」
22 他們說：「百夫長哥尼流是個義人，敬畏神，也受到了猶太全族的讚許。他受一位聖天使的指示：要請你到他家去，聽你的話語。」 23 彼得就請他們進來，招待了他們。
第二天，他起身與他們一同去，還有一些約帕的弟兄陪他一起去。 24 又過了一天，他們進了凱撒里亞。哥尼流已經召集了他的親屬和好友，等候著他們。 25 當彼得進去的時候，哥尼流就迎上去，俯伏在他的腳前拜他。
26 彼得扶他起來，說：「你起來，我自己也是個人。」 27 彼得與他說著話進去，看見裡面聚集了許多人， 28 就對他們說：「你們知道，猶太人和外族人交往或親近是律法所禁止的[h]。但是神指示我，不要把任何人當做俗的或不潔淨的。 29 所以我一受邀請，沒有推辭就來了。那麼請問，你們請我來有什麼事呢？」
30 哥尼流說：「四天前的這個時候[i]，下午三點[j]，我在家裡禱告[k]。忽然有一個身穿明亮衣服的人，站在我面前， 31 說『哥尼流，你的禱告已蒙垂聽，你的施捨已經在神面前蒙記念了。 32 所以你當派人到約帕去，請一位稱為彼得的西門來。他在海邊硝皮匠西門的家裡作客住宿。[l]』 33 所以我就立即派人到你那裡。你來了真好！現在我們都來到這裡，在神的面前，聆聽主[m]所吩咐你的一切話。」
向外邦人傳福音
34 於是彼得就開口說：「我現在真的了解神是不偏待人的， 35 原來在各民族中，那敬畏神而行義的人，都是神所悅納的。 36 神藉著耶穌基督——這一位就是萬有之主——傳和平[n]的福音，把這話語賜給了以色列子民。 37 你們知道在約翰所傳講的洗禮以後，那從加利利開始，在猶太全地所發生的事， 38 就是神怎樣以聖靈和能力膏立拿撒勒人耶穌，他走遍各地行善，使所有受魔鬼壓制的人痊癒，因為神與他同在。 39 我們就是他在猶太人之地和耶路撒冷所行的一切事的見證人。他們竟然把他掛在木頭上殺了。 40 第三天，神使他復活，並且使他顯現， 41 不是顯現給全體民眾，而是顯現給神預先選定的見證人，就是我們這些在他從死人中復活以後，與他一起吃、一起喝的人。 42 耶穌還吩咐我們要向民眾傳道，鄭重地見證他就是神所設定的那一位，活人和死人的審判者。 43 所有的先知都為耶穌見證：『所有信他的人，都將藉著他的名，罪得赦免。』」
外邦人信主受洗
44 彼得還在講這些話的時候，聖靈降臨在每個聽這話語的人身上。 45 所有陪彼得一起來的割禮派的[o]信徒，看見所賜的聖靈[p]也被傾注在外邦人身上，都十分驚訝， 46 因為他們聽見外邦人說著殊言[q]，又尊神為大。
於是彼得說： 47 「這些人就像我們一樣也領受了聖靈，到底誰能阻止用水給他們施洗[r]呢？」 48 他就吩咐他們奉耶穌基督[s]的名受洗[t]；然後他們請求彼得在那裡多住幾天。
Footnotes
- 使徒行傳 10:3 下午三點——原文為「第九時刻」。
- 使徒行傳 10:6 海——指「地中海」。
- 使徒行傳 10:6 有古抄本附「他會告訴你應該做什麼。」
- 使徒行傳 10:9 中午十二點——原文為「第六時刻」。
- 使徒行傳 10:11 有古抄本沒有「捆住」。
- 使徒行傳 10:12 有古抄本沒有「野獸」。
- 使徒行傳 10:21 有古抄本附「從哥尼流被派到他那裡來的」。
- 使徒行傳 10:28 律法所禁止的——或譯作「可憎的」。
- 使徒行傳 10:30 四天前的這個時候——有古抄本作「從四天前起直到這個時刻，我一直在禁食」。
- 使徒行傳 10:30 下午三點——原文為「第九時刻」。
- 使徒行傳 10:30 下午三點，我在家裡禱告——原文直譯「我正在家裡做第九時刻的禱告」。
- 使徒行傳 10:32 有古抄本附「他來了會向你說話。」
- 使徒行傳 10:33 主——有古抄本作「神」。
- 使徒行傳 10:36 和平——或譯作「平安」。
- 使徒行傳 10:45 割禮派的——或譯作「受割禮的」。
- 使徒行傳 10:45 所賜的聖靈——或譯作「聖靈的恩賜」。
- 使徒行傳 10:46 殊言——原文直譯「舌頭」；傳統譯法作「方言」。
- 使徒行傳 10:47 施洗——或譯作「施浸」。
- 使徒行傳 10:48 耶穌基督——有古抄本作「主」。
- 使徒行傳 10:48 受洗——或譯作「受浸」。
使徒行传 10
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
哥尼流邀请彼得
10 在凯撒利亚有一位隶属意大利营的百夫长名叫哥尼流。 2 他和全家都是虔诚敬畏上帝的人，他慷慨周济穷人，常常祷告。 3 一天，大约下午三点，他在异象中清楚地看见一位上帝的天使进来呼唤他：“哥尼流！”
4 哥尼流惊恐地注视着他，问：“主啊，什么事？”
天使回答说：“你的祷告和周济穷人的善行已经在上帝面前蒙悦纳。 5 如今你要派人去约帕，请一个叫西门·彼得的人来。 6 他住在一个叫西门的皮革匠家里，房子在海边。”
7 向他说话的天使离开后，哥尼流叫来两个家仆和自己的一个敬虔侍卫， 8 把刚才的事告诉他们，然后差他们去约帕。
彼得见异象
9 第二天中午，他们快要到达约帕时，彼得上屋顶去祷告。 10 他觉得肚子饿了，想吃东西。那家人正在预备午饭的时候，彼得进入异象， 11 看见天开了，有一样东西好像一大块布，四角吊着降到地上， 12 里面有各种天上的飞禽、地上的爬虫和四足的走兽。 13 然后有声音对他说：“彼得，起来，宰了吃！”
14 彼得却说：“主啊！这可不行！我从未吃过任何污秽不洁之物。”
15 那声音又一次对他说：“上帝已经洁净的，你不可再称之为不洁净。” 16 这样一连三次之后，那块布就被收回天上去了。
17 彼得不知所措，正在猜测这异象到底是什么意思，哥尼流的仆人们刚好找来了， 18 正站在门口大声问西门·彼得是否住在这里。
19 彼得还在苦苦思索的时候，圣灵又对他说：“彼得，外面有三个人来找你， 20 快下楼跟他们去，不必多虑，他们是我差来的。” 21 彼得就下去见他们，说：“我就是你们要找的人，有什么事？”
22 他们说：“哥尼流百夫长是个又正直又敬畏上帝的人，连犹太人都称赞他。上帝的天使指示他请你到他家里去，好听你的指教。”
23 彼得就留他们住了一夜。第二天，彼得和他们以及几个约帕的弟兄一同出发了。 24 又过了一天，他们到达凯撒利亚。哥尼流已经请来亲朋好友，在等候他们。 25 他一看见彼得，就迎上去俯伏在他脚前拜他。 26 彼得连忙把他扶起来，说：“快起来，我只不过是人。”
27 彼得和他边走边谈，进屋后，见聚集了许多人， 28 就对他们说：“你们都知道，按照犹太人的传统，我们不可以和外族人来往。但上帝已经指示我不可把任何人视为污秽不洁。 29 所以，我受到邀请后，毫不犹豫地来了。请问你们为什么请我来？”
30 哥尼流说：“四天前，大约也是下午三点这个时候，我在家里祷告，忽然有一个身穿明亮衣服的人站在我面前， 31 说，‘哥尼流，上帝已经垂听了你的祷告，也悦纳你周济穷人的善行。 32 你派人去约帕把那位叫西门·彼得的人请来，他住在海边一个叫西门的皮革匠家。’ 33 于是我立刻派人去请你。你能来，真是荣幸，现在我们都在上帝面前，想聆听主吩咐你传给我们的话。”
福音临到外族人
34 彼得说：“现在我深深地明白，上帝不偏待人。 35 无论哪一个民族，只要敬畏祂，秉公行义，都会蒙祂接纳。 36 上帝借着万物的主宰——耶稣基督把平安的福音传给以色列人。 37 你们都知道，自从约翰宣讲洗礼以来，从加利利开始，整个犹太地区发生了什么事。 38 你们也知道，拿撒勒人耶稣是上帝用圣灵和大能膏立的。祂周游四方，广行善事，医好被魔鬼压制的人，因为上帝与祂同在。 39 我们亲眼目睹了耶稣在犹太全境和耶路撒冷所做的一切。可是，世人却把祂钉死在十字架上。 40 但第三天，上帝使祂从死里复活，并且向人显现， 41 不是向所有的人显现，而是向被上帝预先拣选为祂做见证的人显现，就是我们这些在祂复活以后与祂一同吃喝过的人。 42 祂命令我们向世人传道，见证祂就是上帝指派来审判活人和死人的那位。 43 所有先知也都为祂做见证说，‘谁信祂，谁的罪就能借着祂的名得到赦免。’”
44 彼得还在说话的时候，圣灵就降临在每一个听道的人身上。 45 跟彼得一起来的那些严守割礼的信徒，看见圣灵的恩赐也浇灌到外族人身上，都很惊奇。 46 因为他们听见这些人又说方言又赞美上帝。于是彼得说： 47 “既然这些人已经和我们一样领受了圣灵，谁能阻止他们接受洗礼呢？” 48 彼得吩咐他们奉耶稣基督的名受洗。之后，他们又请彼得住了几天。
使 徒 行 傳 10
Chinese New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version
彼得与哥尼流
10 该撒利亚有一个叫哥尼流的人。他是罗马军队里“意大利营”的一名军官。 2 他是个虔敬的人，一家老小都敬畏上帝。他经常慷慨地帮助穷人，并且一直向上帝祷告。 3 一天下午大约三点钟左右，他看见了异象，清楚地看到上帝的一位天使进来，对他说∶“哥尼流！”
4 哥尼流恐惧地注视着他问∶“先生，什么事呢？”
天使对他说∶“上帝听到了你的祷告，并看到你对穷人的周济，所以，上帝记得你。 5 你现在派人去约帕，请一位名叫西门也称彼得的人来。 6 他在硝皮匠西门的家里做客，他的房子靠近海边。” 7 说这话的天使一走，哥尼流便叫了两个仆人和他的私人随从里的一个虔诚的士兵， 8 向他们解释了一切，然后便派他们去了约帕。
9 第二天，这三个人快走到约帕时，大约在中午时分，彼得到房顶上去祈祷。 10 他感到饥饿，想吃东西。当他们正在备饭时，他感到一片恍惚， 11 他看到天敞开，好似一大块布的东西被吊住四角，从天而降，直缒到地。 12 里面装满各种走兽、飞禽和爬行动物。 13 这时，一个声音对他说∶“起来，彼得，把它们宰了吃吧！”
14 彼得答道∶“主啊，这肯定不行！我还从来没有吃过污秽和不洁净的东西呢！”
15 那个声音又对他说∶“上帝洁净过的东西，你不要认为不洁净。” 16 这样如此一连三次，那个东西便被立即收回天上去了。
17 彼得还在纳闷所见的异象是什么意思时，哥尼流派来的人已经到了，他们已经打听出西门的家在哪里。这时，这些人已经站在大门口了。 18 他们高声问道，有没有一位叫西门彼得的客人住在那里。
19 彼得还在琢磨那异象的时候，圣灵对他说∶“听着，有三个人正在找你！ 20 所以，赶紧起身下去，跟他们去，不要犹豫，因为是我派他们来的。” 21 彼得于是走下来，对那三个人说∶“我就是你们要找的那个人，你们为什么来呢？”
22 他们说∶“军官哥尼流派我们来的，他是个好人，敬畏上帝，受到所有犹太人的尊重。一个圣天使指示他，邀请你去他家，好听你的话。” 23 彼得把他们请进屋来，安排他们住下了。
第二天，他做好了准备，跟着他们一起上路了。从约帕来的一些基督兄弟也与他一起同行去了。 24 第二天，他们到达了该撒利亚。哥尼流正在等候他们，并已邀请了亲戚好友。 25 彼得刚要进屋，哥尼流就迎了上去，匍伏在彼得的脚边，拜他。 26 彼得把他扶起来，说∶“快起来！我只不过是个凡人而已。” 27 彼得边说边走进了屋子。他发现很多人聚集在里面， 28 就说∶“你们知道，我们的法律是不允许犹太人和外族人交往，并去拜访外族人。但是，上帝指示我不该把任何人看成是不洁净或污秽的， 29 所以，你们邀请我，我没有推辞就来了。不过，我要问你们：你们为什么邀请我呢？”
30 哥尼流说道∶“四天前，大约在这个时候，也就是下午三点钟左右，我正在屋里做祷告，突然，一个身穿耀眼衣服的人站到我面前。 31 他说∶‘哥尼流，上帝听到了你的祷告，你对穷人的施舍，也被上帝记在心里了， 32 所以，你要派人去约帕，请一个叫西门彼得的人到这儿来。他住在海边，在硝皮匠西门的家里做客。 33 所以，我马上就派人去请你，而你，竟肯光临寒舍。那么，现在我们都在此，在上帝的面前，准备聆听上帝吩咐你讲述所有的话。”
彼得在哥尼流家讲话
34 彼得便开口说道∶“我现在真正彻底地明白了上帝是不偏不倚的。 35 任何一个民族的人，只要敬畏他、做正确的事情，他都会接受的。 36 你们知道他通过全人类之主耶稣基督，把信息送给了以色列人，传播福音。 37 约翰传播洗礼的信息后，从加利利开始，发生在犹太各地的大事，你们是知道的。 38 你们知道拿撒勒的耶稣—上帝是怎样用圣灵和力量膏泽他，他又怎样走遍各地，到处行善，治愈了受到魔鬼控制的人。那是因为上帝与他同在。 39 我们是他在犹太城和耶路撒冷所做的一切的见证人。他们把他钉死在了十字架上， 40 但是，在第三天，上帝使他复活，而且向人们显示了他， 41 但不是在所有的人的面前，而是在事先被上帝挑选的证人的面前出现，即向我们显示了他。我们在他从死里复活后，还与他同吃同喝。 42 他还命令我们向这些人们传道，证明，他就是上帝任命来审判生者和死者的那位。 43 所有的先知关于他都证实说：信仰他的人都会通过他的名字领受到对罪孽的宽恕。”
上帝展示他接受所有的人
44 彼得正说着这些事时，圣灵降临到所有正在听这信息的人的身上了。 45 和彼得一起来的犹太信徒都非常惊讶，因为圣灵的馈赠竟然也倾注到了外族人的身上了。 46 因为他们听见，这些人在说不同的语言并且盛赞上帝的伟大。这时，彼得说∶ 47 “他们也和我们一样，领受了圣灵，那么，谁能阻止他们接受水的洗礼呢？ 48 因此，他便吩咐他们以耶稣基督的名义接受了洗礼。然后，那些人又请求彼得他们多住了几日。
Acts 10
New Catholic Bible
Baptism of the Centurion Cornelius
Chapter 10
The Vision of Cornelius.[a] 1 In Caesarea, there was a man named Cornelius who was a centurion of the so-called Italian cohort.[b] 2 He was a devout and God-fearing man, as were all the members of his household. He gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God.
3 One afternoon about three o’clock,[c] he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God approaching him and calling to him, “Cornelius!” 4 He stared at him in terror and asked, “What is it, Lord?”
The angel said, “Your prayers and acts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send some men to Joppa and summon a man named Simon, who is also called Peter. 6 He is lodging with another Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier on his staff. 8 He told them all that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
The Vision of Peter.[d] 9 About noon[e] the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He then saw heaven opened and something that looked like a large sheet descending, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals as well as reptiles and birds of the air.
13 A voice then said to him, “Get up, Peter! Kill and eat!” 14 But Peter said, “Certainly not, Lord. For I have never eaten anything profane or unclean.” 15 The voice spoke again to him, for a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” 16 This happened three times, and then immediately the object was taken up into heaven again.
17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision he had seen, suddenly the men who were sent by Cornelius appeared. They had asked for directions to Simon’s house, and now they were standing at the entrance 18 and inquiring whether Simon known as Peter was lodging there.
19 As Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Some men have come to see you. 20 Hurry down and go with them without any hesitation, for I have sent them.”
21 Then Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason you have come?” 22 They replied, “A centurion named Cornelius, who is greatly respected by the entire Jewish nation as an upright and Godfearing man, was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them in and gave them lodging.
The next day, he set out with them, accompanied by some of the brethren from Joppa. 24 On the following day, they reached Caesarea. Cornelius had been expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter arrived, Cornelius came out to meet him and, falling at his feet, did him reverence. 26 But Peter helped him up, saying, “Stand up. I am only a man myself.”
27 While they conversed together, they went inside where a large crowd had gathered. 28 Peter said to them, “You are well aware that Jews are forbidden to associate with or visit a Gentile. However, God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. 29 That is why I came without offering any objection when I was summoned. I would like to know exactly why you sent for me.”
30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago, at this very hour, three o’clock in the afternoon,[f] I was in my house praying when suddenly I saw a man in shining robes standing before me. 31 He said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your almsgiving has not been forgotten by God. 32 Therefore, send to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is also called Peter. He is lodging at the house of Simon the tanner, by the sea.’ 33 And so I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now all of us have assembled here in the presence of God to listen to everything that the Lord has commanded you to say.”
34 Peter’s Speech. Then Peter addressed them: “I now understand how true it is that God has no favorites, 35 but that in every nation all those who fear God and do what is right are acceptable to him. 36 He sent his word to the children of Israel and proclaimed the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of all.
37 “You are well aware of what was proclaimed all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism of John, 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went around doing good and healing all those who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
39 “We are witnesses to everything he did in the Jewish countryside and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him to life on the third day and allowed him to be seen 41 not by all the people but by witnesses who were chosen by God in advance—by us who ate and drank with him[g] after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to bear witness that he is the one designated by God as Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the Prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 The Baptism of Cornelius. While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit descended upon all who were listening to his message. 45 The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and proclaiming the greatness of God.
Peter said further, 47 “Can anyone withhold the water of baptism from these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 Then he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. 49 Afterward, they asked him to stay with them for a few days.
Footnotes
- Acts 10:1 The moment in which the Christian movement entered into the Gentile world was a major event for the Church. Luke speaks of God’s initiative that captures the world through the Resurrection and the Spirit and expresses itself in the dynamism with which the Lord animates the first community. To illustrate it, he elevates an account of conversion to the rank of an historic event and an irreversible theological fact. Indeed, it is the longest account in the Acts of the Apostles.
Cornelius, a Roman official in Caesarea—the city that is the seat of government—is, along with his entire family, a “God-fearing” man, i.e., one who has accepted the beliefs and principal practices of Judaism, though not going so far as to share the Jewish way of life and become part of the people through circumcision.
In his inner righteousness and generosity, Cornelius is recognized by God as suitable to enter into communication with him. However, to find the truth that he desires he must hear the announcement of the facts concerning Jesus from the mouth of eyewitnesses and thus must meet Peter—who is living some 30 miles away. Only then will these Gentiles master the word of Christ and make it their own through the inspiration of the Spirit (Acts 10:40).
Thus, Cornelius is no longer the central figure of our account. Luke wishes to stress a fact: the initiative of God to liberate the Gospel from being shut up in the Jewish world. The community of Jerusalem, still bound by its Jewish ties, opens itself to the outside world by a series of encounters, but it is blocked from doing so by a redoubtable problem. The Jewishness of the first disciples prevents them from frequenting the Gentiles’ houses of prayer and from sharing their tables without incurring a legal uncleanness and violating the Law. How then can they live in community and partake in the Eucharist, for example?
Must not the Gentiles first be made part of Israel through circumcision? In the face of the gift given by God to the Gentiles “as . . . upon us at the beginning” (Acts 11:15), in the face of this Pentecost of the Gentile nations (Acts 10:45), the community of Jerusalem must also be converted and realize that the religious and ritual appurtenances can no longer provide superiority or priority, that these are no longer to be regarded as a wall of separation—finally, that no person can be declared unclean (Acts 10:27).
The text is carefully constructed. Each personage has a vision that presents itself as an enigma. Then it becomes clear in the concrete action, the encounter, and the mutual hospitality. Peter’s discourse is the pivotal point of the account. Like its predecessors (Acts 2:14-41; 3:11-26), it relates the major themes of the announcement of Jesus. The Spirit authenticates the word concerning Jesus and inspires Gentiles to become witnesses of the Resurrection.
The concrete problems of the entry of Gentiles into the Church and of contacts between Jews and Gentiles will be definitively regulated at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:10, 19-21), but Paul will struggle all his life against the Judaizing practices and theories that tempt certain communities of Israelite origin (see Gal 2; 5). The encounter of Peter and Cornelius leads to the formation of the first Christian community made up of the two most difficult milieux: the Christian and the Gentile. Henceforth, the Church will no longer be able to shut herself up within her own confines. - Acts 10:1 Italian cohort: an auxiliary unit of soldiers.
- Acts 10:3 Three o’clock: literally, “about the ninth hour.” This time period was a Jewish hour of prayer (see Acts 3:1).
- Acts 10:9 The vision that now occurs makes it possible for Peter to sit down at table and eat with Gentiles without feeling any guilt. Hence, it is clear that at first not even the apostles fully understood the Lord’s teaching about the Law. However, with the aid of this vision and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the apostles ultimately arrive at a fuller understanding.
- Acts 10:9 Noon: literally, “about the sixth hour.”
- Acts 10:30 Three o’clock in the afternoon: literally, “about the ninth hour.”
- Acts 10:41 Ate and drank with him: those who shared a table with Jesus after he rose from the dead were given unmistakable evidence of the Lord’s bodily Resurrection (see Lk 24:42f; Jn 21:12-15).
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Copyright © 2004 by World Bible Translation Center
