The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Apostles 10
1 Now there was a certain man in Caesarea,
Cornelius by name, a centurion of
what was called the Italian Regiment,
2 a devout man, and one who feared
God with all his house, who gave gifts for
the needy generously to the people, and
always prayed to God.
3 At about the ninth hour of the day,† he
clearly saw ina visionanangel of Godcoming
to him and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
4 He,fastening his eyes on him and being
frightened, said, “What is it, Lord?”
He said to him, “Your prayers and your
gifts to theneedyhave goneupfor
amemorial before God.
5 Now send men to Joppa, and get Simon,
who is also called Peter.
6 He is staying with a tanner named Simon,
whose house is by the seaside.‡
7 When the angel who spoke to him
had departed, Cornelius called two of his
household servants and a devout soldier of
those who waited on him continually.
8 Having explained everything to them,
he sent them to Joppa.
9 Now on the next day as they were on
their journey and got close to the city, Peter
went up on the housetop to pray at about noon.
10 He became hungry and desired to eat,
but while they were preparing, he fell into
a trance.
11 He saw heaven opened and a certain
container descending to him, like a great
sheet let down by four corners on the
earth,
12 in which were all kinds of four-footed
animals of the earth, wild animals,
reptiles, and birds of the sky.
13 A voice came to him, “Rise, Peter, kill
and eat!”
14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord; for I have
never eaten anything that is common or
unclean.”
15 A voice came to him again the second
time, “What God has cleansed, you must
not call unclean.”
16 This was done three times, and immediately
the thing was received up into heaven.
17 Now while Peter was very perplexed
in himself what the vision which he had
seen might mean, behold, the men who
were sent by Cornelius, having made
inquiry for Simon’s house, stood
before the gate,
18 and called and asked whether Simon,
who was also called Peter, was lodging
there.
19 While Peter was pondering the vision,
the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three§ men
seek you.
20 But arise, get down, and go with them,
doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
21 Peter went down to the men, and said,
“Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why
have you come?”
22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a
righteous man and one who fears God, and
well spoken of by all the nation ofthe Jews,
was directed by a holy angel to invite you
to his house, and to listen to what you say.”
23 So he called them in and provided a
place to stay. Onthenext day Peter arose
and went out with them, and some of the
brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
24 On the next day they entered into Caesarea.
Cornelius was waiting for them, having called
together his relatives and his near friends.
25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met
him, fell down at his feet, and worshiped him.
26 But Peter raisedhim up, saying, “Stand
up! I myself am also a man.”
27 As he talked with him, he went in and
found many gathered together.
28 He said to them, “You yourselves know
how it is an unlawful thing for a man who
is a Jew to join himself or come to one
of another nation, but God has shown me
that I shouldn’t call any man unholy or
unclean.
29 Therefore I also came without complaint
when I was sent for. I ask therefore,
why did you send for me?”
30 Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was
fasting until this hour; and at the ninth
hour,† I prayed in my house, and behold,
a man stood before me in bright clothing
31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer is
heard, and your gifts to the needy are
remembered in the sight of God.
32 Send therefore to Joppa and summon
Simon, who is also called Peter. He is
staying in the house of a tanner named
Simon, by the seaside. When he comes, he
will speak to you.’
33 Therefore I sent to you at once, and
it was good of you to come. Now therefore
we are all here present in the sight
of God to hear all things that have been
commanded you by God.”
34 Peter opened his mouth and said,
“Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show
favoritism;
35 but in every nation he who fears him
and works righteousness is acceptable to him.
36 The word whichhe sentto the children
of Israel, preaching good news of peace by
Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all
37 you yourselves know what happened,
which was proclaimed throughout all
Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the
baptism which John preached;
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Spirit and with power, who
went about doing good andhealing all who
were oppressed by the devil, for God was
with him.
39 We are witnesses of everything he did
both in the country of the Jews and in
Jerusalem; whom they also‡ killed,
hanging him on a tree.
40 God raised him up the third day and
gave him to be revealed,
41 not to all the people, but to witnesses
who were chosenbefore by God,to us, who
ate and drank with him after he rose from
the dead.
42 He commanded us to preach to the
people and to testify that this is he who is
appointed by God as the Judge of the living
and the dead.
43 All the prophets testify about him, that
through his name everyone who believes
in him will receive remission of sins.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these
words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who
heard the word.
45 They ofthe circumcision who believed
were amazed, as many as came with Peter,
because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also
poured out on the Gentiles.
46 For they heard them speaking in other
languages and magnifying God.
Then Peter answered,
47 “Can anyone forbid these people from
being baptized with water? They have
received the Holy Spirit just like us.”
48 He commanded them to be baptized in
the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked
him to stay some days.