Holy Bible
(King James Version)
Acts:
Chapter 10
1. THERE
was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band
called the Italian band,
2. A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave
much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
3. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel
of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord?
And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a
memorial before God.
5. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is
Peter:
6. He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side:
he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
7. And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called
two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited
on him continually;
8. And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to
Joppa.
9. On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the
city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
10. And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made
ready, he fell into a trance,
11. And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as
it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the
earth:
12. Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild
beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
13. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that
is common or unclean.
15. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath
cleansed, that call not thou common.
16. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into
heaven.
17. Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had
seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had
made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
18. And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were
lodged there.
19. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold,
three men seek thee.
20. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting
nothing: for I have sent them.
21. Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from
Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause
wherefore ye are come?
22. And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that
feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was
warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to
hear words of thee.
23. Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow
Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied
him.
24. And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius
waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
25. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his
feet, and worshipped him.
26. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
27. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come
together.
28. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for
a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation;
but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
29. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent
for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
30. And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and
at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before
me in bright clothing,
31. And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in
remembrance in the sight of God.
32. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is
Peter: he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side:
who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
33. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that
thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God,
to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
34. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that
God is no respecter of persons:
35. But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness,
is accepted with him.
36. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace
by Jesus Christ: ( he is Lord of all:)
37. That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea,
and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with
power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of
the devil; for God was with him.
39. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of
the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
40. Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
41. Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even
to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
42. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that
it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name
whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
44. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them
which heard the word.
45. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many
as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the
gift of the Holy Ghost.
46. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then
answered Peter,
47. Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which
have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
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