Acts 10:24-48 - Peter Speaks With Cornelius
24 and the day after that they reached Caesarea. There Cornelius was waiting for them, and had brought together all his relatives and intimate friends. 25 When Peter entered the house Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him;
26 but Peter lifted him up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man, myself." 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found a large company assembled. 28 To them he said: "You know, yourselves, that it is illegal for a Jew to associate with or to visit one of another nation; but God has taught me that I should not call any man common or unclean. For this reason, when sent for, I came without demur. 29 "I ask therefore why you sent for me."
30 Cornelius answered. "Three days ago, at this very hour, I was praying in my house at three o'clock in the afternoon, when suddenly a man in a shining robe stood by me, 31 and said: "'Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32 "'So send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter. He is lodging with Simon the tanner, in a house by the seaside.' 33 "So I sent for you without delay, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to listen to what the Lord has commanded you to speak."
34 Then Peter began to speak. "Of a truth I begin to see quite plainly that God is no respecter of persons; 35 "but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. 36 "You cannot but know the message which he sent to the descendants of Israel, when he preached the gospel of peace by Jesus Christ who is Lord of all; 37 "you know the message spread throughout all Judea, beginning in Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about everywhere doing good, and curing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with him. 39 "And we were witnesses of all that he did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him, hanging him on a tree. 40 "But him God raised up on the third day, and permitted him to be made manifest, 41 "not to all the people, but to witnesses??en previously chosen by God??hat is, to us, who ate and drank with him after he had risen from the dead; 42 "when he charged us to preach to the people, and to testify that this was he whom God ordained to be the judge of the living and of the dead. 43 "To him all the prophets bear witness, testifying that through his name every one that believes on him will receive remission of sins."
44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were listening to the message. 45 And all the Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. 47 Then Peter said, "Can any one refuse water for the baptism of these men who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?" 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they begged him to remain with them for a time.