Cornelius's Vision
Study note
Cornelius is introduced as a devout, God-fearing Roman centurion in Caesarea who prays regularly and gives generously to the poor. An angel appears to him during prayer, telling him that his prayers and charitable gifts have risen as a memorial before God. The angel instructs him to send men to Joppa to find Simon Peter, who is staying with a tanner by the sea.
1 In Caesarea, there was a man named Cornelius. He was a Roman military officer -- a centurion in the group called the Italian band. There was a certain man in Cæsarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
2 He was a deeply devoted man who honored God, and his whole family did the same. He gave generously to those in need and never stopped praying to God. 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 One afternoon around three o'clock, he had a vision. He clearly saw an angel of God walk in and call his name: "Cornelius." 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 Cornelius stared at the angel, shaking with fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel told him, "God has heard your prayers and seen your generosity. He has not forgotten any of it." 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 "Now send some men to the town of Joppa and ask for a man named Simon, who goes by Peter." And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6 "He is staying with Simon the leather maker, whose house is right by the ocean. Peter will tell you what to do." He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
7 After the angel left, Cornelius called two of his household servants. He also called a soldier who loved God and served him closely. 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 He explained the whole vision to them and sent them off to Joppa. And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
Peter's Vision of the Sheet
Study note
While the messengers are traveling, Peter goes to the rooftop to pray and becomes hungry. In a trance, he sees a large sheet descending from heaven containing all kinds of animals, including those forbidden under Jewish dietary law. A voice commands him to kill and eat, but Peter protests that he has never eaten anything unclean. The voice replies, 'What God has cleansed, do not call common.' This exchange happens three times before the sheet is taken back to heaven.
9 The next day, while they were still traveling and getting close to the city, Peter went up on the flat rooftop to pray. It was around noon. 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 He got truly hungry and wanted something to eat. But while the food was being prepared, he fell into a trance. And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
11 He saw the sky open up, and something that looked like a great sheet came floating down, held up by its four corners. 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 Inside the sheet were all kinds of animals -- four-legged creatures, wild animals, snakes, lizards, and birds. Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
13 A voice told him, "Get up, Peter! Kill something and eat it." And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14 "Certainly not, Lord!" Peter protested. "I have never eaten anything that our laws call unfit or unclean." But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
15 The voice came back a second time: "If God has made something clean, do not call it unclean." And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
16 This whole scene played out three times. Then the sheet was pulled back up into the sky. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
Peter Goes to Cornelius
Study note
While Peter puzzles over the vision, the Spirit tells him that three men are looking for him and he should go with them without hesitation. Peter receives Cornelius's messengers and travels to Caesarea the next day. When Peter arrives, Cornelius falls at his feet, but Peter lifts him up, saying he is only a man. Peter explains that God has shown him he should not call any person common or unclean. Cornelius recounts his angelic visitation and declares his household is ready to hear everything God has commanded Peter to say.
17 Peter was still trying to figure out the vision. At that moment, the men Cornelius sent arrived at the gate of Simon's house. 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 They called out and asked whether a man named Simon Peter was staying there. And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
19 While Peter was still turning the vision over in his mind, the Spirit said to him, "Three men are downstairs looking for you." While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
20 "Go downstairs right now and go with them. Do not hesitate at all -- I am the one who sent them." Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
21 Peter went down and told the men, "I am the person you are looking for. What brings you here?" 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 They explained, "We were sent by Cornelius, a centurion. He is a good man who respects God, and every Jewish person in the area speaks well of him. A holy angel told him to invite you to his house so he could hear what you have to say." 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 Peter invited them in and let them stay for the night. The next morning, he left with them. Several believers from Joppa came along too. 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 They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was already waiting for them. He had gathered his relatives and closest friends to be there. And the morrow after they entered into Cæsarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
25 When Peter walked through the door, Cornelius dropped to his knees and bowed before him. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
26 Peter quickly helped him up. "Please stand," he said. "I am just a regular person like you." But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
27 Talking with Cornelius, Peter went inside and found a large group of people waiting. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
28 He told them, "You all know that our Jewish laws say I should not associate with or visit anyone who is not Jewish. But God made it clear to me that I should never think of any person as unfit or unworthy." 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 I came here without arguing about it when you invited me. So please tell me -- why did you send for me?" 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 Cornelius answered, "Four days ago at this same hour -- three in the afternoon -- I was praying at home. Suddenly a man in shining clothes appeared before me." 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 "He said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer, and he remembers your gifts to the poor.'" And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
32 "'Send people to Joppa and ask for Simon Peter. He is staying at the home of Simon the leather maker, near the ocean. When he comes, he will tell you what you need to hear.'" 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 "I sent for you right away, and it was so kind of you to come. Now here we are, every one of us, standing in God's presence, ready to listen to everything the Lord has given you to tell us." 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.
Peter's Sermon to Cornelius's Household
Study note
Peter makes the groundbreaking declaration that God does not show favoritism but accepts people from every nation who fear him and do what is right. He summarizes the gospel: how God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power, how Jesus went about doing good and healing those oppressed by the devil, and how the Jews killed him but God raised him on the third day. Peter testifies that all the prophets witness that everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
34 Peter took a deep breath and began: "I can see now, more clearly than ever, that God does not play favorites." Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 "It does not matter what nation you come from. If you honor God and live the right way, God accepts you." But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
36 "You already know the message God sent to the people of Israel -- the good news of peace through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Lord of everyone." The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
37 "You know what happened throughout all of Judaea. It started in Galilee, after John called people to be baptized." That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38 "God filled Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Jesus went around doing good and healing everyone under the devil's control. God was with him." 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 "We saw everything he did with our own eyes -- both in the Jewish homeland and in Jerusalem. Then they killed him by nailing him to a wooden cross." 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 "But three days later, God brought him back to life and let people see him." Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
41 "He did not show himself to the general public. Instead, God chose specific witnesses ahead of time -- us. We sat down and ate and drank with Jesus after he came back from the dead." 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 "Jesus gave us a job: go tell everyone that God has appointed him as the Judge of everyone, living and dead." 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 "Every prophet said the same thing about him. Anyone who trusts in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name." To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles
Study note
While Peter is still speaking, the Holy Spirit falls on all who are listening. The Jewish believers who came with Peter are astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit has been poured out on Gentiles, as they hear them speaking in tongues and praising God. Peter recognizes that no one can refuse water baptism to those who have received the Spirit just as the Jewish believers did, and he commands them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
44 Peter was still speaking. Then the Holy Spirit came down on everyone who was listening. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 The Jewish believers who had come with Peter were stunned. They could not believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit was being poured out on non-Jewish people! 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 But the proof was unmistakable -- they could hear these Gentiles speaking in other languages and praising God. Peter turned to the Jewish believers and said, For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 "How could anyone refuse to baptize these people with water? They have received the same Holy Spirit we did!" Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 He gave the order for them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Afterward, they asked Peter to stay with them for a few more days. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.