Cornelius Sends for Peter

1In Cesarea there was a centurion of a cohort in the Italic legion, whose name was Cornelius, a religious man, 2and was a proselyte, together with all his family: he gave much alms to the people, and was assiduous in his prayers to God. 3one day about the ninth hour, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God, who addrest himself to him, and said, Cornelius! 4and when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, what is it, Lord? and he said to him, thy prayers and thine alms have been observ'd and approv'd by God. 5send messengers immediately to Joppa, for one Simon, whose sirname is Peter: 6he lodges with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea-side. 7As soon as the angel that spoke to Cornelius was departed, he called two of his domesticks, and a devout soldier, one of those that were in waiting: 8and after he had related to them the whole affair, he sent them to Joppa.

Peter’s Vision

9On the morrow as they were on their journey, and drew nigh the city, Peter went upon the leads to pray, about the sixth hour. 10and being seiz'd with hunger, he would have had something to eat: but while they were making it ready, he fell into a trance, 11when he saw the heaven open, and something descending in the form of a great sheet, ty'd at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12in it were all sorts of quadrupeds, reptiles, and birds. 13and a voice said to him, rise, Peter; kill and eat. 14but Peter said, not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15and the voice spake to him again the second time, don't call that common, which God calls clean. 16this was done thrice: and then the sheet was taken up into heaven.

Peter Called to Caesarea

17While Peter was perplexed about the signification of this vision, the messengers from Cornelius having enquir'd out Simon's house, arriv'd at the gate, 18and calling somebody, ask'd, whether Simon Peter lodg'd there. 19As Peter was still pondering upon the vision, the spirit said to him, there are people below, who enquire for you. 20rise therefore, get thee down, and go with them, without hesitating: for I have sent them. 21then Peter went down to the messengers; and said, I am the person you look for: what occasion brought you hither? 22they answered, Cornelius the centurion, a man of probity and piety, one that has an universal good character among the Jews, was divinely admonish'd by an holy angel to send for you to his house, to hear what you had to say to him. 23then he invited them in, and they lodged there. On the morrow, Peter departed with them, and some of his brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

Peter Visits Cornelius

24the next day they arriv'd at Cesarea: where Cornelius expected them, having invited his kinsmen and intimate friends, to his house. 25as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and prostrated himself at his feet, 26but Peter rais'd him, saying, stand up; I am but a man, as well as you. 27and as he discours'd with him, he went in, where finding many persons assembled; you know, 28said he, how unlawful it is for a Jew, to frequent a stranger, or even to go to his house: but God hath shewed me, that I should not look upon any man as common and unclean. 29for which reason I came without demur, as soon as I knew your message: I ask therefore upon what account you sent for me?

30then Cornelius said, it is now four days ago that I was fasting, and while I was at prayers in my house, about the ninth hour, a man in bright attire presented himself before me, 31and said, "Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and God has approved thine alms. 32send therefore to Joppa, for one Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner, by the sea-side, who, when he is arriv'd, will give you information." 33immediately I sent to you; and you have done well to come, now here we are all in the presence of God, to hear whatever he has given you in charge.

Good News for the Gentiles

34then Peter thus began, now I plainly perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35but in every nation, he that feareth him, and acts justly, is acceptable to him. 36this was what he communicated to the children of Israel, proclaiming salvation by Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of all mankind. 37you know, how his fame spread from Galilee through all Judea, after the baptism which John had preach'd: 38how Jesus of Nazareth divinely inspired by the holy spirit, and with miraculous power, went about doing good, and healing all that were under the oppression of the devil: because God was with him. 39we are witnesses of all his transactions, both in Judea, and at Jerusalem, however, they put him to death, even that of the cross. 40but God raised him up the third day, and shewed him openly, 41not to all the people, but to those witnesses, which God had before chosen: to us, I say, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42and he commanded us to publish, and to testify to the people, that he was the person whom God had constituted to be the judge of the living, and of the dead. 43he is the person to whom all the prophets give this attestation, that all who believe in him, shall receive remission of sins, by his authority.

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

44Peter was yet speaking, when the holy spirit descended on all that heard him. 45all the Jewish converts, who came with Paul, were astonished to see that the gift of the holy spirit was diffused likewise among the Gentiles. 46for they heard them express their praises to God in divers languages. 47then Peter said, can we refuse the water of baptism to such as have received the holy spirit as well as we? 48so he directed they should be baptized in the name of the Lord, after which they desired him to stay some time with them.