Acts 10:34-48

Living Bible

³⁴ Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that the Jews are not God’s only favorites! ³⁵ In every nation he has those who worship him and do good deeds and are acceptable to him. ^36-37 I’m sure you have heard about the Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus, the Messiah, who is Lord of all creation. This message has spread all through Judea, beginning with John the Baptist in Galilee. ³⁸ And you no doubt know that Jesus of Nazareth was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and with power, and he went around doing good and healing all who were possessed by demons, for God was with him.

³⁹ “And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Israel and in Jerusalem, where he was murdered on a cross. ^40-41 But God brought him back to life again three days later and showed him to certain witnesses God had selected beforehand—not to the general public, but to us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² And he sent us to preach the Good News everywhere and to testify that Jesus is ordained of God to be the Judge of all—living and dead. ⁴³ And all the prophets have written about him, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”

⁴⁴ Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those listening! ⁴⁵ The Jews who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit would be given to Gentiles too! ^46-47 But there could be no doubt about it,^[a] for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Peter asked, “Can anyone object to my baptizing them, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” ⁴⁸ So he did, baptizing them in the name of Jesus, the Messiah. Afterwards Cornelius begged him to stay with them for several days.