Acts 10
10
Peter and Cornelius
1In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, who was the captain of a group of soldiers called “The Italian Unit”. 2Cornelius was a very religious man. He worshipped God, and so did everyone else who lived in his house. He had given a lot of money to the poor and was always praying to God.
3One afternoon at about three o'clock,#10.3 at about three o'clock: Probably while he was praying. See 3.1 and the note there. Cornelius had a vision. He saw an angel from God coming to him and calling him by name. 4Cornelius was surprised and stared at the angel. Then he asked, “What is this all about?”
The angel answered, “God has heard your prayers and knows about your gifts to the poor. 5Now send some men to Joppa for a man named Simon Peter. 6He is staying with Simon the leather maker, who lives in a house near the sea.” 7After saying this, the angel left.
Cornelius called in two of his servants and one of his soldiers who worshipped God. 8He explained everything to them and sent them off to Joppa.
9The next day about midday these men were coming near Joppa. Peter went up on the roof#10.9 roof: In Palestine the houses usually had a flat roof. Stairs on the outside led up to the roof, which was made of beams and boards covered with packed earth. of the house to pray 10and became very hungry. While the food was being prepared, he fell sound asleep and had a vision. 11He saw heaven open, and something came down like a huge sheet held up by its four corners. 12In it were all kinds of animals, snakes, and birds. 13A voice said to him, “Peter, get up! Kill these and eat them.”
14But Peter said, “Lord, I can't do that! I've never eaten anything that is unclean and not fit to eat.”#10.14 unclean and not fit to eat: The Law of Moses taught that some foods were not fit to eat.
15The voice spoke to him again, “When God says that something can be used for food, don't say it isn't fit to eat.”
16This happened three times before the sheet was suddenly taken back to heaven.
17Peter was still wondering what all this meant, when the men sent by Cornelius came and stood at the gate. They had found their way to Simon's house 18and were asking if Simon Peter was staying there.
19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three#10.19 Three: One manuscript has “two”; some manuscripts have “some”. men are here looking for you. 20Hurry down and go with them. Don't worry, I sent them.”
21Peter went down and said to the men, “I am the one you are looking for. Why have you come?”
22They answered, “Captain Cornelius sent us. He is a good man who worships God and is liked by the Jewish people. One of God's holy angels told Cornelius to send for you, so he could hear what you have to say.” 23Peter invited them to spend the night.
The next morning, Peter and some of the Lord's followers in Joppa left with the men who had come from Cornelius. 24The next day they arrived in Caesarea where Cornelius was waiting for them. He had also invited his relatives and close friends.
25When Peter arrived, Cornelius greeted him. Then he knelt at Peter's feet and started worshipping him. 26But Peter took hold of him and said, “Stand up! I am nothing more than a human.”
27As Peter entered the house, he was still talking with Cornelius. Many people were there, 28and Peter said to them, “You know that we Jews are not allowed to have anything to do with other people. But God has shown me that he doesn't think anyone is unclean or unfit. 29I agreed to come here, but I want to know why you sent for me.”
30Cornelius answered:
Four days ago at about three o'clock in the afternoon I was praying at home. Suddenly a man in bright clothes stood in front of me. 31He said, “Cornelius, God has heard your prayers, and he knows about your gifts to the poor. 32Now send to Joppa for Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon the leather maker, who lives near the sea.”
33I sent for you straight away, and you have been good enough to come. All of us are here in the presence of the Lord God, so that we can hear what he has to say.
34Peter then said:#Dt 10.17.
Now I am certain that God treats all people alike. 35God is pleased with everyone who worships him and does right, no matter what nation they come from. 36This is the same message that God gave to the people of Israel, when he sent Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, to offer peace to them.
37You know what happened#10.37 what happened: Or “the message that went”. everywhere in Judea. It all began in Galilee after John had told everyone to be baptized. 38God gave the Holy Spirit and power to Jesus from Nazareth. He was with Jesus, as he went around doing good and healing everyone who was under the power of the devil. 39We all saw what Jesus did both in Israel and in the city of Jerusalem.
Jesus was put to death on a cross. 40But three days later, God raised him to life and let him be seen. 41Not everyone saw him. He was seen only by us, who ate and drank with him after he was raised from death. We were the ones God chose to tell others about him.
42God told us to announce clearly to the people that Jesus is the one he has chosen to judge the living and the dead. 43Every one of the prophets has said that all who have faith in Jesus will have their sins forgiven in his name.
44While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit took control of everyone who was listening. 45Some Jewish followers of the Lord had come with Peter, and they were surprised that the Holy Spirit had been given to Gentiles. 46Now they were hearing Gentiles speaking unknown languages and praising God.
Peter said, 47“These Gentiles have been given the Holy Spirit, just as we have! I am certain that no one would dare stop us from baptizing them.” 48Peter ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and they asked him to stay on for a few days.
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Acts 10: CEVUK
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© British and Foreign Bible Society 2012
Acts 10
10
Cornelius Sends a Delegation
1There was a certain man in #Acts 8:40; 23:23Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2#Acts 8:2; 9:22; 22:12a devout man and one who #(Acts 10:22, 35; 13:16, 26)feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3About the ninth hour of the day #Acts 10:30; 11:13he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
4And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?”
So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. 5Now #Acts 11:13, 14send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6He is lodging with #Acts 9:43Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. #Acts 11:14He will tell you what you must do.” 7And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. 8So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Peter’s Vision
9The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, #Acts10:9–32; 11:5–14Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11and #Ezek. 1:1; Matt. 3:16; Acts 7:56; Rev. 4:1; 19:11saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
14But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! #Lev. 11:4; 20:25; Deut. 14:3, 7; Ezek. 4:14For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15And a voice spoke to him again the second time, #(Matt. 15:11; Mark 7:19); Acts 10:28; (Rom. 14:14); 1 Cor. 10:25; (1 Tim. 4:4; Titus 1:15)“What God has cleansed you must not call common.” 16This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.
Summoned to Caesarea
17Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. 18And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.
19While Peter thought about the vision, #Acts 11:12the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. 20#Acts 15:7–9Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
21Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?”
22And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and #Acts 22:12has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” 23Then he invited them in and lodged them.
On the next day Peter went away with them, #Acts 10:45; 11:12and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
Peter Meets Cornelius
24And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26But Peter lifted him up, saying, #Acts 14:14, 15; Rev. 19:10; 22:8“Stand up; I myself am also a man.” 27And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 28Then he said to them, “You know how #John 4:9; 18:28; Acts 11:3; Gal. 2:12unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But #(Acts 10:14, 35; 15:8, 9)God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”
30So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, #Acts 1:10a man stood before me #Matt. 28:3; Mark 16:5in bright clothing, 31and said, ‘Cornelius, #Dan. 10:12your prayer has been heard, and #Heb. 6:10your alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”
Preaching to Cornelius’ Household
34Then Peter opened his mouth and said: #Deut. 10:17; 2 Chr. 19:7; Rom. 2:11; Gal. 2:6; Eph. 6:9“In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35But #Acts 15:9; (1 Cor. 12; 13; Eph. 2:13)in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is #Ps. 15:1, 2accepted by Him. 36The word which God sent to the children of Israel, #Is. 57:19; Eph. 2:14; (Col. 1:20)preaching peace through Jesus Christ—#Matt. 28:18; Acts 2:36; Rom. 10:12; 1 Cor. 15:27He is Lord of all— 37that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and #Luke 4:14began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38how #Is. 61:1–3; Luke 4:18God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who #Matt. 4:23went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, #John 3:2; 8:29for God was with Him. 39And we are #Acts 1:8witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they #Acts 2:23killed by hanging on a tree. 40Him #Hos. 6:2; Matt. 12:39, 40; 16:4; 20:19; John 2:19–21; Acts 2:24God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41#(John 14:17, 19, 22; 15:27)not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us #Luke 24:30, 41–43who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42And #Matt. 28:19He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify #John 5:22, 27; Acts 17:31that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge #Rom. 14:9; 2 Tim. 4:1; 1 Pet. 4:5of the living and the dead. 43#(Is. 42:1; 53:11; 61:1); Jer. 31:34; Dan. 9:24; Hos. 6:1–3; Mic. 7:18; Zech. 13:1; Mal. 4:2To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, #(John 3:16, 18; Acts 26:18); Rom. 10:11; Gal. 3:22whoever believes in Him will receive #Acts 13:38, 39remission of sins.”
The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles
44While Peter was still speaking these words, #Acts 4:31the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45#Acts 10:23And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, #Is. 42:1, 6; 49:6; Luke 2:32; John 11:52; Acts 11:18because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, 47“Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit #Acts 2:4; 10:44; 11:17; 15:8just as we have?” 48#1 Cor. 1:14–17And he commanded them to be baptized #Acts 2:38; 8:16; 19:5in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.