Book of Common Prayer

¹⁷ While Peter mused in himself what this vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and were standing before the door. ¹⁸ And one called out and asked whether Simon who was also called Peter was lodged there. ¹⁹ While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men are seeking you. ²⁰ Arise therefore; go down and go with them, and do not doubt. For I have sent them.

²¹ Peter went down to the men that were sent to him from Cornelius and said, I am the one you are seeking. What is the reason for your visit?

²² And they said to him, Cornelius the captain, a just man, and one who fears God and is of good report among all the people of the Jews, was told by a holy angel to send for you to come into his house and to hear words from you.

²³ Then he invited them in and lodged them. And the next day, Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. ²⁴ And the third day, they entered into Caesarea.

Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and special friends. ²⁵ And as Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet and worshipped him. ²⁶ But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up. For even I myself am a man.

²⁷ And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. ²⁸ And he said to them, You know that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company or visit with a foreigner. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. ²⁹ Therefore I came to you, without saying no, as soon as I was sent for. I ask therefore, why have you sent for me?

³⁰ And Cornelius said, Four days ago now I had been fasting, and at the ninth hour I was praying in my house. And behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, ³¹ and said, Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms-deeds are remembered in the sight of God. ³² Send therefore to Joppa, and call for Simon who is also called Peter. He is lodged in the house of one Simon, a tanner by the seaside. ³³ As soon as he has come, he will speak to you. Then I sent for you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now we are all here present before God, to hear all the things that are commanded to you by God.

³⁶ As they were thus speaking, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them and said to them, Peace be with you. ³⁷ And they were startled and afraid, supposing they saw a spirit. ³⁸ And he said to them, Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? ³⁹ Behold my hands and my feet, that it is even I myself. Handle me and see. For spirits do not have flesh and bones, as you see me to have.

⁴⁰ And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet. ⁴¹ And while they still could not believe for joy and wonderment, he said to them, Have you any food here? ⁴² And they gave him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb. ⁴³ And he took it and ate it before them.

⁴⁴ And he said to them, These are the things that I told to you while I was still with you: that all must be fulfilled that was written about me in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms.

⁴⁵ Then he opened their wits to understand the scriptures, ⁴⁶ and said to them, Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for Christ to suffer, and to rise again from death the third day, ⁴⁷ and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, and must begin at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ And you are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ And behold, I will send the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.

⁵⁰ And he led them out into Bethany, and lifted up his hands and blessed them. ⁵¹ And it came to pass, as he blessed them, he departed from them and was carried up into heaven.

⁵² And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, ⁵³ and were continually in the temple, praising and lauding God.

Amen.

Here ends the gospel
of Saint Luke.