A Year in Luke/ActsNäide

Cornelius would have been considered “unclean” because he was not circumcised. Up until now, this had been the marker for acceptance into Israel as the people of God. Shockingly, for those who had come with Peter, the Spirit is poured out on Cornelius and all who hear Peter's words not only before they are circumcised but also before they are baptized!

After this, Peter stays with these new believers, indicating he would have shared table fellowship with them, another thing that would have been seen as “impure.” But by doing this, Peter is following in the way of Jesus, who was often criticized for who he chose to eat with.