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。 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。 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!”

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。 如今你要派人去约帕,请一个叫西门·彼得的人来。 他住在一个叫西门的皮革匠家里,房子在海边。”

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, 把刚才的事告诉他们,然后差他们去约帕。

彼得见异象

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。

Peter and Cornelius

10 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of (A)what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man (B)who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. (C)About the ninth hour of the day[a] (D)he saw clearly in a vision (E)an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms (F)have ascended (G)as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging (H)with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Peter's Vision

The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, (I)Peter went up (J)on the housetop about (K)the sixth hour[b] to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into (L)a trance 11 and saw (M)the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; (N)for I have never eaten anything that is (O)common or (P)unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, (Q)“What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what (R)the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, (S)the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was pondering (T)the vision, (U)the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and (V)accompany them without hesitation,[c] for I have sent them.” 21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and (W)God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by (X)a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and (Y)to hear what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them in to be his guests.

The next day he rose and went away with them, and (Z)some of (AA)the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and (AB)fell down at his feet and (AC)worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, (AD)“Stand up; I too am a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew (AE)to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but (AF)God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”

30 And Cornelius said, (AG)“Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at (AH)the ninth hour,[d] and behold, (AI)a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, (AJ)your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

Gentiles Hear the Good News

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that (AK)God (AL)shows no partiality, 35 but (AM)in every nation anyone who fears him and (AN)does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for (AO)the word that he sent to Israel, (AP)preaching good news of (AQ)peace through Jesus Christ ((AR)he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, (AS)beginning (AT)from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how (AU)God anointed Jesus of Nazareth (AV)with the Holy Spirit and with (AW)power. He went about doing good and healing all (AX)who were oppressed by the devil, (AY)for God was with him. 39 And (AZ)we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. (BA)They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but (BB)God raised him on (BC)the third day and made him to (BD)appear, 41 (BE)not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as (BF)witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And (BG)he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify (BH)that he is the one appointed by God to be judge (BI)of the living and the dead. 43 (BJ)To him (BK)all the prophets bear witness that (BL)everyone who believes in him receives (BM)forgiveness of sins (BN)through his name.”

The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles

44 While Peter was still saying these things, (BO)the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among (BP)the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because (BQ)the gift of the Holy Spirit (BR)was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them (BS)speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 (BT)“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit (BU)just as we have?” 48 And he (BV)commanded them (BW)to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 10:3 That is, 3 p.m.
  2. Acts 10:9 That is, noon
  3. Acts 10:20 Or accompany them, making no distinction
  4. Acts 10:30 That is, 3 p.m.

10 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

He 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.

And 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.

And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

And 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;

And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

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:

10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

15 And 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.

17 Now 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,

18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

21 Then 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?

22 And 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.

23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

28 And 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.

29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

30 And 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,

31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

32 Send 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.

33 Immediately 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.

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

38 How 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.

39 And 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:

40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

42 And 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.

43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 And 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.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

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, (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. 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!”

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. Now (E)send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with (F)Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. (G)He[d] will tell you what you must do.” 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. So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Peter’s Vision

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

  1. Acts 10:1 Cohort
  2. Acts 10:2 charitable gifts
  3. Acts 10:3 3 p.m.
  4. Acts 10:6 NU, M omit the rest of v. 6.
  5. Acts 10:9 Noon
  6. Acts 10:15 Declared clean
  7. Acts 10:17 was perplexed
  8. Acts 10:21 NU, M omit who had been sent to him from Cornelius
  9. Acts 10:30 NU Four days ago to this hour, at the ninth hour
  10. Acts 10:31 charitable gifts
  11. Acts 10:32 NU omits the rest of v. 32.
  12. Acts 10:36 Lit. sons
  13. Acts 10:39 NU, M they also
  14. Acts 10:43 forgiveness
  15. Acts 10:45 The Jews