Chapter 10

1A man in Caesarea was named Cornelius. He was a Roman army officer serving in the unit called the Italian Cohort.

2He was devoted to God and honored him, along with his entire household. He gave generously to the people and prayed to God continually.

3At about three in the afternoon, Cornelius clearly saw a vision. An angel of God came to him and said, “Cornelius!”

4Cornelius stared at the angel in fear and asked, “What is it, sir?” The angel replied, “Your prayers and generosity have risen before God, and he has remembered them.

5Now send men to Joppa and have them bring back a man named Simon, who is also called Peter.

6He is staying as a guest with another Simon, a leatherworker whose house is by the sea.”

7After the angel who had spoken to him left, Cornelius called two of his household servants and one devout soldier who was among his personal attendants.

8He explained everything to them and sent them to Joppa.

9Around noon the next day, as the men were traveling and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.

10He became very hungry and wanted something to eat. While the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.

11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down. It was being lowered to the ground by its four corners.

12Inside it were all kinds of four-footed animals, crawling creatures, and birds.

13Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

14Peter replied, “Absolutely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything ritually defiled and impure.”

15The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call impure what God has made clean.”

16This happened three times, and immediately the sheet-like object was taken back up into heaven.

17Peter was still puzzling over what the vision might mean when the men sent by Cornelius found Simon’s house and arrived at the gate.

18They called out and asked whether Simon, also called Peter, was staying there.

19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “There are men looking for you.

20Get up, go downstairs, and leave with them without hesitation, because I have sent them.”

21Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the person you are looking for. Why have you come?”

22They answered, “Cornelius, a Roman army officer, sent us. He is a man who does what is right and honors God, and the whole Jewish nation speaks well of him. A holy angel told him to send for you and hear what you have to say.”

23So Peter invited the men in and gave them a place to stay. The next day he left with them, and some fellow believers from Joppa went along.

24The following day Peter entered Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them and had gathered his relatives and close friends.

25As Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and bowed before him in reverence.

26But Peter helped him up and said, “Stand up. I am only human too.”

27Peter continued talking with Cornelius as he entered the house, where he found many people gathered.

28Peter told them, “You know that a Jewish man is not permitted to associate with or visit a non-Jew. But God has shown me that I must not call any person defiled or impure.

29That is why I came without objection when you sent for me. So now I ask: Why did you send for me?”

30Cornelius answered, “Four days ago at this very hour—about three in the afternoon—I was praying in my house. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me.

31He said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and God has remembered your generosity.

32Send someone to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon the leatherworker, by the sea.’

33So I sent for you at once, and it was kind of you to come. Now all of us are here before God to hear everything the Lord has commanded you to say.”

34Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God does not play favorites.

35He welcomes people from every nation who honor him and do what is right.

36God sent his message to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus the Messiah. He is Lord of everyone.

37You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after John announced that people should be baptized.

38God anointed—that is, chose and empowered—Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. Jesus went around doing good and healing everyone oppressed by the devil, because God was with him.

39We are witnesses to everything he did throughout the land of the Jewish people and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a wooden cross.

40But God raised him to life on the third day and allowed him to be seen,

41not by everyone, but by witnesses God had chosen in advance—by us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

42He commanded us to proclaim this to the people and solemnly declare that God has appointed him judge of the living and the dead.

43All the prophets confirm this about him: everyone who trusts in him receives forgiveness for their sins through him.”

44While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came upon everyone who was listening to the message.

45The Jewish believers who had come with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on non-Jews.

46They could hear them speaking in different languages and declaring God’s greatness. Then Peter spoke up.

47Peter said, “Surely no one can withhold water and prevent these people from being baptized. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we did.”

48So he ordered them to be baptized as people belonging to Jesus the Messiah. Then they asked Peter to stay for several days.