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.