Book of Common Prayer
Peter goes to Cornelius
17 When Peter came to himself, he was puzzled as to what the vision he had seen was all about. Then, suddenly, the men sent by Cornelius appeared, standing by the gate. They had been asking for Simon’s house, 18 inquiring if someone by the name of Simon called Peter was staying there. 19 Peter was still pondering the vision, when the spirit spoke to him.
“Look,” said the spirit. “There are three men searching for you. 20 It’s all right; get up, go down and go with them. Don’t be prejudiced; I have sent them.”
21 So Peter went down to the men.
“Here I am,” he said. “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
22 “There is a man called Cornelius,” they replied. “He is a centurion, and he is a righteous and God-fearing man. The whole people of the Jews will testify to him. A holy angel told him in a vision to send for you to come to his house, so that he can hear any words you may have to say.”
23 So he invited them in and put them up for the night.
In the morning he got up and went with them. Some of the believers from Joppa went with him. 24 They reached Caesarea the following day. Cornelius had summoned his relatives and close friends and was waiting for him.
25 When Peter came in, Cornelius went to meet him. He fell down at his feet and worshiped him.
26 “Get up!” said Peter, lifting him up. “I’m just a man, too.”
27 So they talked together, and Peter came in and found lots of people assembled.
28 “You must know,” he said to them, “that it is forbidden for a Jewish man to mix with or visit a Gentile. But God showed me that I should call nobody ‘common’ or ‘unclean.’ 29 So I came when I was asked, and raised no objections. Do tell me, then, the reason why you sent for me.”
30 “Four days ago,” answered Cornelius, “I was praying in my house at around this time, about three o’clock, and suddenly a man stood beside me in shining clothes. 31 ‘Cornelius,’ he said, ‘your prayer has been heard, and your almsgiving has been remembered by God. 32 So send someone to Joppa and call Simon, who is named Peter; he is staying in the house of Simon the tanner, beside the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. So now we are all here, in God’s presence, to listen to everything which the Lord has told you to say.”
Jesus’ promise and ascension
36 As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and said, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were terrified and alarmed, and thought they were seeing a ghost.
38 “Why are you so disturbed?” he said. “Why do these questionings come up in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and feet; it really is me, myself. Touch me and see! Ghosts don’t have flesh and bones like you can see I have.”
40 With these words, he showed them his hands and feet.
41 While they were still in disbelief and amazement from sheer joy, he said to them, “Have you got something here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of baked fish, 43 which he took and ate in front of them.
44 Then he said to them, “This is what I was explaining to you when I was still with you. Everything written about me in the law of Moses, and in the prophets and the Psalms, had to be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Bible.
46 “This is what is written,” he said. “The Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and in his name repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, must be announced to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are the witnesses for all this. 49 Now, look: I’m sending upon you what my father has promised. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
50 Then he took them out as far as Bethany, and lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 As he was blessing them, he was separated from them and carried into heaven.
52 They worshiped him, and went back to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 They spent all their time in the Temple, praising God.
Scripture quotations from The New Testament for Everyone are copyright © Nicholas Thomas Wright 2011, 2018, 2019.