Acts 10:24-48

Modern English Version

²⁴ And the next day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. ²⁵ As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him. ²⁶ But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up. I myself am a man.”

²⁷ As he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. ²⁸ He said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to visit or approach a foreigner. But God has shown me not to call any man common or unclean. ²⁹ So when I was sent for, I came without question. Therefore I ask why you have sent for me.”

³⁰ Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour. At the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and suddenly a man stood before me in bright clothing, ³¹ and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered before God. ³² Therefore send to Joppa for Simon, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ ³³ So immediately I sent for you, and you have done well to come. Now therefore we are all here, present before God, to hear everything the Lord has commanded you.”

Peter Speaks in Cornelius’ House

³⁴ Then Peter began to speak, saying, “Truthfully, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. ³⁵ But in every nation he who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. ³⁶ The word which He sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, ³⁷ the word, which you know, that was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

³⁹ “We are witnesses of all that He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. ⁴⁰ But God raised Him on the third day and presented Him publicly, ⁴¹ not to all the people, but to witnesses previously chosen by God, to us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. ⁴² He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ To Him all the prophets bear witness that whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins through His name.”

Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit

⁴⁴ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. ⁴⁵ All the believers of the circumcision who had come with Peter were astonished, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speaking in other tongues and magnifying God.

Then Peter continued, ⁴⁷ “Can anyone forbid water for baptizing these, who have received the Holy Spirit as we have?” ⁴⁸ So he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.