Acts 10:24-48 - Peter Speaks With Cornelius
24 the next day they arriv'd at Cesarea: where Cornelius expected them, having invited his kinsmen and intimate friends, to his house. 25 as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and prostrated himself at his feet,
26 but Peter rais'd him, saying, stand up; I am but a man, as well as you. 27 and as he discours'd with him, he went in, where finding many persons assembled; you know, 28 said 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. 29 for which reason I came without demur, as soon as I knew your message: I ask therefore upon what account you sent for me?
30 then 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, 31 and said, "Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and God has approved thine alms. 32 send 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." 33 immediately 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.
34 then Peter thus began, now I plainly perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 but in every nation, he that feareth him, and acts justly, is acceptable to him. 36 this was what he communicated to the children of Israel, proclaiming salvation by Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of all mankind. 37 you know, how his fame spread from Galilee through all Judea, after the baptism which John had preach'd: 38 how 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. 39 we are witnesses of all his transactions, both in Judea, and at Jerusalem. however, they put him to death, even that of the cross. 40 but God raised him up the third day, and shewed him openly, 41 not 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. 42 and 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. 43 he 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.
44 Peter was yet speaking, when the holy spirit descended on all that heard him. 45 all the Jewish converts, who came with Paul, were astonished to see that the gift of the holy spirit was diffused likewise among the Gentiles. 46 for they heard them express their praises to God in divers languages. 47 then Peter said, can we refuse the water of baptism to such as have received the holy spirit as well as we? 48 so he directed they should be baptized in the name of the Lord. after which they desired him to stay some time with them.