Acts:10

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* THERE was in Caesarea a man named Cornelius , a centurion in the battalion called the Italian cohort . * He was a pious man , reverencing God with all his household , doing many acts of charity to the people and praying to God constantly . * About three o 'clock one afternoon he saw plainly in a vision an angel come in and say to him , "Cornelius ." * He gazed at him in alarm and asked , "What is it , my Lord ?" The angel said to him , "Your prayers and your gifts of charity have come up as an evidence before God . * Now send men to Joppa and ask for a man named Simon , who is called Peter . * He is the guest of a certain Simon , a tanner , whose house is by the seaside ." * When the angel who had been speaking to him had gone , Cornelius called two of his servants and a pious soldier of those who were attached to him , * and , after explaining everything to them , sent them to Joppa . * On the next day , while they were on the road and approaching the city , Peter went up on the housetop to pray . It was about noon . * He began to feel hungry and wished to eat . While they were preparing food , he fell into a trance * and saw the heavens opened and something descending like a great sheet being let down to the ground by the four corners . * In it were all kinds of fourfooted animals and reptiles and birds of the air . * Then a voice came to him , * But Peter said , "By no means , Lord , for I have never eaten anything unclean or impure ." * A second time the voice came to him , * This happened a third time , and then immediately the sheet was taken up into the heavens . * Peter was thinking this over and was at a loss what the vision meant . Just then the men who had been sent by Cornelius , after inquiring for the house of Simon , came to the door * and called to know whether Simon called Peter was a guest there . * While Peter was debating with himself about the vision , the Spirit said , "Here are two men looking for you . * Rise and go down and go with them without misgivings , for I have sent them ." * Peter went down and said to the men , "Here I am \'97 the man you are looking for . What is the reason for your coming ?" * They said , "Cornelius , a centurion , an upright and God-fearing man , well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation , was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house , and to listen to your words ." * Then he invited them in and entertained them . The next day Peter arose and went away with them , and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him . * On the following day they came to Caesarea . Cornelius was expecting them and had assembled his relatives and his close friends . * As Peter was about to enter , Cornelius met him and falling at his feet did him reverence . * But Peter lifted him up , saying , "Stand up ; I myself also am a man ." * Conversing with him Peter entered the house and found many people assembled . * He said to them , "You understand that it is against our Law for a Jew to be closely associated with a Gentile or to visit him . But God has taught me not to call any person common or unclean . * Therefore when I was sent for I came without making any objection . So now I ask , For what reason have you sent for me ?" * Cornelius said , "Four days ago , at this hour , I was offering the three o 'clock prayer in my house , when suddenly a man stood before me in shining dress * and said , 'Cornelius , your prayer has been heard and your gifts of charity have been remembered before God . * Send to Joppa and call for Simon who is surnamed Peter . He is a guest in the house of Simon a tanner near the sea ' * Immediately I sent to you and you have done well in coming . Now here we all are in God 's presence to hear all that the Lord has commanded you ." * Peter opened his mouth and said , "Truly I understand that God is not partial , * but in every nation whoever reverences him and lives righteously is acceptable to him . * As to the message which he sent to the children of Israel telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ \'97 who is Lord of all \'97 * you know the story that spread through all Judaea . It began in Galilee after the baptism which John proclaimed . * You know of Jesus of Nazareth , how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power . He went about doing good and healing all who were harassed by the Devil , for God was with him . * We are witnesses of all that he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem . They hung him on a cross and so killed him . * But God raised him up on the third day and granted that he should become visible , * not to all the people , but to witnesses previously chosen by God , namely , to us who ate and drank with him after his resurrection from the dead . * God commanded us to proclaim to the people and to testify that he is the divinely appointed Judge of the living and the dead . * All of the prophets testify to this , that every one who believes in him obtains forgiveness of sins through his name ." * While Peter was speaking these words , the Holy Spirit fell on all who were listening to his message . * All the believers who were of the circumcision who had come along with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles , * for they heard them speaking with tongues and glorifying God . Then Peter said , * "Can any one forbid water for the baptism of these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did ?" * And he directed that they should be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ . Then they asked him to remain there a few days .

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