1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the company called the Italian, 2 a devout man and one that feared God with all his house, who gave many alms to the people and prayed to God always. 3 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. 4 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 {lit. thine acts of mercy} are come up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter; 6 he lodges with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side; he shall tell thee what it behooves thee to do. 7 And when the angel who spoke unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those that waited on him continually; 8 and when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey and drew near unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour; 10 and he became very hungry and would have eaten; but while they made ready, he fell into a rapture of understanding 11 and saw the 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, 12 in which were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and reptiles and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter, kill and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spoke unto him again the second time, That which God has cleansed, do not call common. 16 This was done three times, and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house and stood before the gate 18 and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore and get thee down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them. 21 Then Peter went down to the men who were sent unto him from Cornelius and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek; what is the cause for which ye are come? 22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man and one that fears God and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel to send for thee into his house and to hear words of thee.
23 Then he called them in and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And the next day they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many that were come together. 28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an abominable thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company or come unto one of another nation; but God has showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore I came unto you without doubting, as soon as I was sent for; I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
30 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 31 and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call here Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side, who, when he comes, shall speak unto thee. 33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee, and thou hast done well to come. Now therefore we are all here present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; 35 but in every nation he that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. 36 The word which God sent unto the sons of Israel, preaching the gospel: peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 that word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea and began 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 and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of Judea and in Jerusalem, whom they slew hanging him on a tree. 40 This same one God raised up the third day and showed him openly, 41 not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people and to testify that it is he who is ordained of God to be the Judge of living and dead. 43 Unto him all the prophets give witness, that whosoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins through his name.
44 While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, that also on the Gentiles the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out. 46 For 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 as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they begged him to tarry certain days.