Old/New Testament

²⁴ The day after that, they reached Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them. He had called his family and close friends together.

²⁵ Peter was about to enter the house. Cornelius met him. He kneeled down at his feet and worshipped him.

²⁶ But Peter raised him up and said, `Please stand up. I too am only a man.

²⁷ Peter talked to him and went in with him. He saw many people who had come together.

²⁸ He began to talk with them. He said, `You yourselves know it is against our law for a Jew to visit and be friends with someone who is not a Jew. But God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean.

²⁹ So when you sent for me, I did not say "No". Now I ask, why did you send for me?'

³⁰ Cornelius answered, `Four days ago, it was just at this time, three o'clock. I was in my house talking with God. I had not eaten any food. A man stood in front of me wearing shining clothes.

³¹ He said to me, "Cornelius, God has heard what you said to him. He has remembered your gifts to the poor.

³² Send men to Joppa to call for Simon Peter. He is staying with Simon, the man who makes skins into leather. His house is by the sea."

³³ So I sent for you right away. You have done well to come. Now we are all here before God to hear all that the Lord has told you to tell me.'

³⁴ Then Peter began to speak, `I really understand now. God does not love some people more than others.

³⁵ But he takes anyone who obeys him. He takes anyone who does what is right. It does not matter to what nation they belong.

³⁶ To the people of Israel God has sent the good news. He gives peace through Jesus Christ. He is Lord of all!

³⁷ You yourselves know the story of what happened all through Judea. It started in Galilee after the baptism which John talked about.

³⁸ God gave Jesus of Nazareth the Holy Spirit and power. Jesus went about doing good deeds. He healed all those who were held by the devil. God was with him.

³⁹ We saw all the things which he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And they hung him on a piece of wood and killed him.

⁴⁰ On the third day, God raised him up to let people see him.

⁴¹ Not all the people saw him. But God had chosen us to see and to talk about him. We saw him. We ate and drank with him after he rose from death.

⁴² He told us to tell the people that God chose him to judge both the living people and the dead people.

⁴³ All the prophets tell about him. They say, "Everyone who believes in him will have his wrong ways forgiven through his name." '

⁴⁴ While Peter was saying this, the Holy Spirit came on all those who heard the message.

⁴⁵ The believers who came with Peter were Jews. They were very much surprised that the Holy Spirit was also sent to those who were not Jews. 46,

^46-47 hey heard them speak in tongues of other languages and praise God. Then Peter said, `These people have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. Can anyone say they may not be baptised in water?'

⁴⁸ So he said they were to be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. They begged him to stay with them for a while.