Acts 10:24-48 - Peter Speaks With Cornelius
24 And the day following he entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them, and had invited his relations and intimate friends to meet them. 25 So, when Peter entered the city, Cornelius met him, and, throwing himself at Peter's feet, bowed to the ground.
26 Peter, however, lifted him up, saying as he did so: "Stand up, I am only a man like yourself." 27 Talking with him as he went, Peter entered the house, where he found a large gathering of people, to whom he said: 28 "You are doubtless aware that it is forbidden for a Jew to be intimate with a foreigner, or even to enter his house; and yet God has shown me that I ought not to call any man 'defiled' or 'unclean.' 29 That was why I came, when I was sent for, without raising any objection. And now I ask your reason for sending for me."
30 "Just three days ago this very hour," Cornelius said, "I was in my house, saying the Afternoon Prayers, when a man in dazzling clothing suddenly stood before me. 31 'Cornelius,' he said, 'your prayer has been heard, and your charities have been accepted, by God. 32 Therefore send to Jaffa, and invite the Simon, who is also known as Peter, to come here. He is lodging in the house of Simon the tanner, near the sea.' 33 Accordingly I sent to you at once, and you have been so good as to come. And now we are all here in the presence of God, to listen to all that you have been instructed by the Lord to say."
34 Then Peter began. "I see, beyond all doubt," he said, "that 'God does not show partiality,' 35 But that in every nation he who reverences him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 God has sent his Message to the Israelites and told them, through Jesus Christ, the Good News of peace--and Jesus is Lord of all! 37 You yourselves know the story which spread through all Judea, how, beginning form Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed-- 38 The story, I mean, of Jesus of Nazareth, and how God consecrated him his Christ by enduing him with the Holy Spirit and with power; and how he went about doing good and curing all who were under the power of the Devil, because God was with him. 39 We are ourselves, too, witnesses to all that he did in Judea and in Jerusalem; yet they put him to death by hanging him on a cross! 40 This Jesus God raised on the third day, and enabled him to appear, 41 Not indeed to every one, but to witnesses chosen beforehand by God--to us, who ate and drank with him after his resurrection from the dead. 42 Further, God charged us to proclaim to the people, and solemnly affirm, that it is Jesus who has been appointed by God Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him it is that all the Prophets bear witness, when they say that every one who believes in him receives through his Name forgiveness of sins."
44 Before Peter had finished saying these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were listening to the Message. 45 Those converts from Judaism, who had come with Peter, were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been bestowed even upon the Gentiles; 46 For they heard them speaking with 'tongues' and extolling God. At this Peter asked: 47 "Can any one refuse the water for the baptism of these people, now that they have received the Holy Spirit as we did ourselves?" 48 And he directed that they should be baptized in the Faith of Jesus Christ; after which they asked him to stay there a few days longer.