Cornelius Sends for Peter

1At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius (horn), a centurion (commander of a hundred) in what was called the Italian Regiment. 2He and all his household were devout and God-fearing. He gave generously to the people and prayed to God {Theou} regularly. 3One day at about the ninth hour (about 3 pm),a he had a clear vision of an angel (messenger) of God {Theou} who came to him and said, “Cornelius (horn)!”

4Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord {Kyrie}?”

The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God {Theou}. 5Now send men to Joppa (beautiful) to call for a man named Simon (hearing) who is called Peter (rock). 6He is staying with Simon (hearing) the tanner, whose house is by the sea [He will tell you what you need to do.].b”

7When the angel (messenger) who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among his attendants. 8He explained what had happened and sent them to Joppa (beautiful).

Peter’s Vision
(Leviticus 11:1–47; Deuteronomy 14:1–21)

9The next day at about the sixth hour (about noon),c as the men were approaching the city on their journey, Peter (rock) went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.

11He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, as well as birds of the air. 13Then a voice said to him: “Get up, Peter (rock), kill and eat!”

14“No, Lord {Kyrie}!” Peter (rock) answered. “I have never eaten anything impure \common/d or unclean (impure).”

15The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call anything impure that God {Theos} has made clean.”

16This happened three times, and all at once the sheet was taken back up into heaven.

Peter Called to Caesarea

17While Peter (rock) was puzzling over the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius (horn) found Simon’s house and approached the gate. 18They called out to ask if Simon (hearing) called Peter (rock) was staying there.

19As Peter (rock) continued to reflect on the vision, the Spirit {Pneuma} said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you [two men are looking for you].e 20So get up! Go downstairs and accompany them without hesitation, because I have sent them.”

21So Peter (rock) went down to the men [the men sent to him by Cornelius]f and said, “Here am I, the one you⁺ are looking for. Why have you⁺ come?”

22“Cornelius (horn) the centurion has sent us,” they said. “He is a righteous and God-fearing {Theon} man with a good reputation among the whole Jewish nation {ethnous}. A holy angel (messenger) instructed him to request your presence in his home so he could hear a message {rhēmata} from you.”

23So Peter invited them in as his guests. And the next day he got ready and went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa (beautiful).

Peter Visits Cornelius

24The following day he arrived in Caesarea, where Cornelius (horn) was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25As Peter (rock) was about to enter, Cornelius (horn) met him and fell at his feet to worship him. 26But Peter (rock) helped him up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

27As Peter talked with him, he went inside and found many people gathered together. 28He said to them, “You⁺ know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God {Theos} has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean (impure). 29So when I was invited, I came without objection. I ask, then, why have you⁺ sent for me?”

30Cornelius (horn) answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this, the ninth hour.g Suddenly (Behold) a man in radiant clothing stood before me 31and said, ‘Cornelius (horn), your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been remembered before God {Theou}. 32Therefore send to Joppa (beautiful) for Simon (hearing), who is called Peter (rock). He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, by the sea.’

33So I sent for you immediately, and you were kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here in the presence of God {Theou} to listen to everything the Lord {Kyriou} has instructed you to tell us.”

Good News for the Gentiles

34Then Peter (rock) began to speak: “I now truly understand that God {Theos} does not show favoritism, 35but welcomes those from every nation {ethnei} who fear Him and do what is right. 36He has sent this message to the people of Israel (He wrestles with God), proclaiming the gospel (good news) of peace through Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One), who is Lord {Kyrios} of all.

37You⁺ yourselves know what has happened {rhēma} throughout Judea (land of praise), beginning in Galilee (circuit) with the baptism (submersion) that John (YHWH is gracious) proclaimed: 38how God {Theos} anointed Jesus (YHWH saves) of Nazareth (branch) with the Holy Spirit {Hagiō Pneumati} and with power {dynamei}, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil {diabolou}, because God was with Him.

39We are witnesses of all that He did, both in the land of the Jews (people of praise) and in Jerusalem (city of peace). And although they put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree, 40God {Theos} raised Him up on the third day and caused Him to be seen— 41not by all the people, but by the witnesses God {Theou} had chosen beforehand, by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. 42And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One appointed by God {Theou} to judge the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”

The Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit
(Acts 19:1–7)

44While Peter (rock) was still speaking these words {rhēmata}, the Holy Spirit {Hagion Pneuma} fell upon all who heard his message. 45All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter (rock) were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit {Hagiou Pneumatos} had been poured out even on the Gentiles {ethnē}. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues (languages) and exalting God {Theon}.

Then Peter (rock) said, 47“Can anyone withhold the water to baptize (submerge) these people? They have received the Holy Spirit {Hagion Pneuma} just as we have!” 48So he ordered that they be baptized (submerged) in the name of Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One). Then they asked him to stay for a few days.