1THERE was in Caesarea a man named Cornelius, a centurion in the battalion called the Italian cohort. 2He was a pious man, reverencing God with all his household, doing many acts of charity to the people and praying to God constantly. 3About three o'clock one afternoon he saw plainly in a vision an angel come in and say to him, "Cornelius." 4He gazed at him in alarm and asked, "What is it, my Lord?" The angel said to him, "Your prayers and your gifts of charity have come up as an evidence before God. 5Now send men to Joppa and ask for a man named Simon, who is called Peter. 6He is the guest of a certain Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside." 7When the angel who had been speaking to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a pious soldier of those who were attached to him, 8and, after explaining everything to them, sent them to Joppa. 9On the next day, while they were on the road and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray. It was about noon. 10He began to feel hungry and wished to eat. While they were preparing food, he fell into a trance 11and saw the heavens opened and something descending like a great sheet being let down to the ground by the four corners. 12In it were all kinds of fourfooted animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13Then a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter, kill and eat." 14But Peter said, "By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unclean or impure." 15A second time the voice came to him, "What God has cleansed you must not think unclean." 16This happened a third time, and then immediately the sheet was taken up into the heavens. 17Peter was thinking this over and was at a loss what the vision meant. Just then the men who had been sent by Cornelius, after inquiring for the house of Simon, came to the door 18and called to know whether Simon called Peter was a guest there. 19While Peter was debating with himself about the vision, the Spirit said, "Here are two men looking for you. 20Rise and go down and go with them without misgivings, for I have sent them." 21Peter went down and said to the men, "Here I am \'97 the man you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?" 22They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house, and to listen to your words." 23Then he invited them in and entertained them. The next day Peter arose and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24On the following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had assembled his relatives and his close friends. 25As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him and falling at his feet did him reverence. 26But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself also am a man." 27Conversing with him Peter entered the house and found many people assembled. 28He said to them, "You understand that it is against our Law for a Jew to be closely associated with a Gentile or to visit him. But God has taught me not to call any person common or unclean. 29Therefore when I was sent for I came without making any objection. So now I ask, For what reason have you sent for me?" 30Cornelius said, "Four days ago, at this hour, I was offering the three o'clock prayer in my house, when suddenly a man stood before me in shining dress 31and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your gifts of charity have been remembered before God. 32Send to Joppa and call for Simon who is surnamed Peter. He is a guest in the house of Simon a tanner near the sea' 33Immediately I sent to you and you have done well in coming. Now here we all are in God's presence to hear all that the Lord has commanded you." 34Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I understand that God is not partial, 35but in every nation whoever reverences him and lives righteously is acceptable to him. 36As to the message which he sent to the children of Israel telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ \'97 who is Lord of all \'97 37you know the story that spread through all Judaea. It began in Galilee after the baptism which John proclaimed. 38You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were harassed by the Devil, for God was with him. 39We are witnesses of all that he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They hung him on a cross and so killed him. 40But God raised him up on the third day and granted that he should become visible, 41not to all the people, but to witnesses previously chosen by God, namely, to us who ate and drank with him after his resurrection from the dead. 42God commanded us to proclaim to the people and to testify that he is the divinely appointed Judge of the living and the dead. 43All of the prophets testify to this, that every one who believes in him obtains forgiveness of sins through his name." 44While Peter was speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were listening to his message. 45All the believers who were of the circumcision who had come along with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles, 46for they heard them speaking with tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter said, 47"Can any one forbid water for the baptism of these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?" 48And he directed that they should be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain there a few days.