1Now there was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, an army officer in what was called the Italian Regiment.
2He was a devout man who worshiped God, as did everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and always prayed to God.
3Around three in the afternoon, he clearly saw an angel of God in a vision coming to him and saying, “Cornelius!”
4Cornelius stared at him, frightened, and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the poor have been remembered by God.
5Now send some men to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is also called Peter.
6He is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the sea.”
7When the angel who spoke to him had left, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier who regularly attended to him.
8After explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
9The next day, as they were traveling and getting close to the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray around noon.
10He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
11He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet coming down to him, lowered to the earth by its four corners.
12Inside it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds.
13A voice told him, "Get up, Peter, kill and eat!"
14But Peter said, "No, Lord, because I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."
15The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."
16This happened three times, and then the sheet was immediately taken back up into heaven.
17While Peter was very confused about the meaning of the vision he had seen, the men sent by Cornelius, who had found Simon's house, stood at the gate.
18They called out and asked if Simon, also known as Peter, was staying there.
19While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Listen, three men are looking for you.
20Go down, and go with them without hesitation, because I have sent them."
21Peter went down to the men and said, "I am the one you are looking for. Why have you come?"
22They said, "Cornelius, a Roman officer, who is a good man, honors God, and is highly respected by all the Jewish people, was told by a holy angel to invite you to his house so he could hear what you have to say."
23So Peter invited them in and gave them a place to stay. The next day Peter got up and went with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went with him.
24The next day they arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them and had gathered his relatives and close friends.
25When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him.
26But Peter made him get up, saying, "Stand up! I am only a man myself."
27As he talked with Cornelius, he went inside and found many people gathered.
28He told them, "You know that it is against Jewish law for a Jew to associate with or visit someone from another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any person unholy or unclean."
29That is why I came without objection when I was sent for. So I ask, why did you send for me?"
30Cornelius said, "Four days ago, about this time, I was praying in my house at three in the afternoon, and suddenly a man in bright clothing stood before me.
31He said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the needy have been remembered by God.
32Therefore, send to Joppa and invite Simon, also called Peter. He is staying in the house of a tanner named Simon, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.'
33So I immediately sent for you, and it was good of you to come. Now all of us are here before God, ready to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."
34Then Peter began to speak: "I truly understand that God does not show favoritism,
35but accepts from every nation anyone who honors him and does what is right."
36This is the message he sent to the people of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
37You yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, starting in Galilee, after John preached about baptism.
38You know about Jesus from Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went around doing good and healing everyone who was oppressed by the devil, because God was with him.
39We are witnesses of everything he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross.
40But on the third day, God raised him from the dead and allowed him to be seen,
41not by all the people, but by witnesses God had chosen beforehand. That’s us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one God appointed to be the Judge of the living and the dead.
43All the prophets testify about him, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”
44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on everyone who heard the message.
45The Jewish believers who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles.
46They heard the Gentiles speaking in other languages and praising God. Then Peter said,
47“Can anyone object to these people being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
48He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.