There was
a certain
man
in
Caesarea
called
Cornelius
, a centurion
of
the band
called
the Italian
band ,
A devout man , and
one that feared
God
with
all
his
house
, which
gave
much
alms
to the people
, and
prayed
to God
alway
.
He saw in
a vision
evidently
about
the ninth
hour
of the day
an angel
of God
coming in
to
him
, and
saying
unto him
, Cornelius
.
And when he looked
on him
, he was
afraid
, and
said
, What
is it
, Lord
? And
he said
unto him
, Thy
prayers
and
thine
alms
are come up
for
a memorial
before
God
.
And now
send
men
to
Joppa
, and
call for
one Simon
, whose
surname is
Peter
:
He lodgeth
with
one
Simon
a tanner
, whose
house
is
by
the sea side
: he
shall tell
thee
what
thou
oughtest
to do
.
And when
the angel
which
spake
unto Cornelius
was departed
, he called
two
of his
household servants
, and
a devout
soldier
of them that waited on
him
continually
;
And when he had declared
all these things
unto them
, he sent
them
to
Joppa
.
On the morrow
, as they
went on their journey
, and
drew nigh
unto the city
, Peter
went up
upon
the housetop
to pray
about
the sixth
hour
:
And he became
very hungry
, and
would
have eaten
: but
while they
made ready
, he
fell
into
a trance
,
And saw
heaven
opened
, and
a certain
vessel
descending
unto
him
, as
it had been a great
sheet
knit
at the four
corners
, and
let down
to
the earth
:
Wherein were
all manner
of fourfooted beasts
of the earth
, and
wild beasts
, and
creeping things
, and
fowls
of the air
.
And there came
a voice
to
him
, Rise
, Peter
; kill
, and
eat
.
But Peter
said
, Not so
, Lord
; for
I have
never
eaten
any thing
that is common
or
unclean
.
And the voice
spake unto
him
again
the second time
, What
God
hath cleansed
, that call
not
thou
common
.
This
was done
thrice
: and
the vessel
was received up
again
into
heaven
.
Now while
Peter
doubted
in
himself
what
this vision
which
he had seen
should mean
, behold
, the men
which
were sent
from
Cornelius
had made enquiry
for Simon's
house
, and stood
before
the gate
,
And called
, and asked
whether
Simon
, which
was surnamed
Peter
, were lodged
there
.
While Peter
thought
on
the vision
, the Spirit
said
unto him
, Behold
, three
men
seek
thee
.
Arise therefore
, and get thee down
, and
go
with
them
, doubting
nothing
: for
I
have sent
them
.
Then Peter
went down
to
the men
which
were sent
unto
him
from
Cornelius
; and said
, Behold
, I
am
he whom
ye seek
: what
is the cause
wherefore
ye are come
?
And they said
, Cornelius
the centurion
, a just
man
, and
one that feareth
God
, and
of good report
among
all
the nation
of the Jews
, was warned from God
by
an holy
angel
to send
for thee
into
his
house
, and
to hear
words
of
thee
.
Then called he
them
in
, and lodged
them . And
on the morrow
Peter
went away
with
them
, and
certain
brethren
from
Joppa
accompanied
him
.
And the morrow
after they entered
into
Caesarea
. And
Cornelius
waited for
them
, and had called together
his
kinsmen
and
near
friends
.
And as
Peter
was
coming in
, Cornelius
met
him
, and fell down
at
his feet
, and worshipped
him .
But Peter
took
him
up
, saying
, Stand up
; I
myself
also
am
a man
.
And as he talked
with him
, he went in
, and
found
many
that were come together
.
And he said
unto
them
, Ye
know
how
that it is
an unlawful thing
for a man
that is a Jew
to keep company
, or
come unto
one of another nation
; but
God
hath shewed
me
that I should not
call
any
man
common
or
unclean
.
Therefore came I
unto you without gainsaying
, as soon as I was sent for
: I ask
therefore
for what
intent
ye have sent for
me
?
And 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
,
And said
, Cornelius
, thy
prayer
is heard
, and
thine
alms
are had in remembrance
in the sight
of God
.
Send therefore
to
Joppa
, and
call hither
Simon
, whose
surname is
Peter
; he
is lodged
in
the house
of one Simon
a tanner
by
the sea side
: who
, when he cometh
, shall speak
unto thee
.
Immediately therefore
I sent
to
thee
; and
thou
hast well
done
that thou art come
. Now
therefore
are
we
all
here present
before
God
, to hear
all things
that are commanded
thee
of
God
.
Then Peter
opened
his mouth
, and said
, Of
a truth
I perceive
that
God
is
no
respecter of persons
:
But in
every
nation
he that feareth
him
, and
worketh
righteousness
, is
accepted
with him
.
The word which
God sent
unto the children
of Israel
, preaching
peace
by
Jesus
Christ
: (he
is
Lord
of all
:)
That word, I say , ye
know
, which was published
throughout
all
Judaea
, and began
from
Galilee
, after
the baptism
which
John
preached
;
How God
anointed
Jesus
of
Nazareth
with the Holy
Ghost
and
with power
: who
went about
doing good
, and
healing
all
that were oppressed
of
the devil
; for
God
was
with
him
.
And we
are
witnesses
of all things
which
he did
both
in
the land
of the Jews
, and
in
Jerusalem
; whom
they slew
and hanged
on
a tree
:
Him God
raised up
the third
day
, and
shewed
him
openly
;
Not to all
the people
, but
unto witnesses
chosen before
of
God
, even to us
, who
did eat
and
drink with
him
after
he
rose
from
the dead
.
And he commanded
us
to preach
unto the people
, and
to testify
that
it is
he
which
was ordained
of
God
to be the Judge
of quick
and
dead
.
To him give
all
the prophets
witness
, that through
his
name
whosoever
believeth
in
him
shall receive
remission
of sins
.
While Peter yet
spake
these
words
, the Holy
Ghost
fell
on
all
them which heard
the word
.
And they of
the circumcision
which believed
were astonished
, as many as
came with
Peter
, because
that on
the Gentiles
also
was poured out
the gift
of the Holy
Ghost
.
For they heard
them
speak with
tongues
, and
magnify
God
. Then
answered
Peter
,
Can any man
forbid
water
, that these
should
not
be baptized
, which
have received
the Holy
Ghost
as
well as
we
?
And he commanded
them
to be baptized
in
the name
of the Lord
. Then
prayed they
him
to tarry
certain
days
.