MSB ACTs Chapter 10

Cornelius Sends for Peter

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was called [the] Italian Regiment. 2 [He and] all his household [were] devout and God-fearing He gave generously to the people and prayed to God regularly 3 [One] day at about the ninth hour,[fn] he had a clear vision of an angel of God who came to him and said“Cornelius!”

[Cornelius] stared at him vvv in fear and asked,“What is it, Lord?”

[The angel] answered“Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial [ offering ] before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to call for Simon[fn] who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon [the] tanner, whose house is by [the] sea.[fn]”

When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among his attendants 8 He explained what had happened [and] sent them to Joppa.

Peter’s Vision

(Leviticus 11:1–47, Deuteronomy 14:1–21)

The next day at about the sixth hour,[fn] as [the men] were approaching the city on their journey, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted [something] to eat, but while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.

He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet vvv being let down to earth to him, bound at its four corners.[fn] 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, and reptiles as well as birds of the air. 13 Then a voice said to him:“Get up, Peter, kill and eat!”

“No, Lord!” Peter answered. vvv I have never eaten anything impure[fn] or unclean.”

[The] voice [spoke] to him a second time:“vvv Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

This happened three times, and again[fn] the [sheet] was taken back up into heaven.

Peter Called to Caesarea

While Peter was puzzling over vvv the meaning of the vision the men sent by Cornelius found Simon’s house [and] approached the gate. 18 They called out to ask if Simon called Peter was staying [there].

As Peter continued to reflect on the vision, the Spirit said to him,“Behold, men[fn] are looking for you. 20 So get up! Go downstairs and accompany them without hesitation, because I have sent them.”

[So] Peter went down to the men[fn] [and] said,“Here am I, the one you are looking for. Why have you come?”

“Cornelius [the] centurion [ has sent us ],” they said.“[He is] a righteous and God-fearing man [with] a good reputation among the whole vvv Jewish nation. A holy angel[fn] instructed [him] to request your presence in his home [so he could] hear a message from you.”

So Peter invited them in as his guests. And the next day he went[fn] with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.

Peter Visits Cornelius

The following day they arrived[fn] in Caesarea, [where] Cornelius was expecting them [and] had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him [and] fell at [his] feet to worship [him]. 26 But Peter helped him up“Stand up,” he said,“I am [only] a man myself.”

[As] [Peter] talked with him, he went inside and found many [people] gathered together. 28 He said to them,“You know how unlawful it is vvv for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit [him]. But God has shown me [that] vvv I should not call [any] man impure or unclean. 29 So when I was invited, I came without objection. I ask, then, why have you sent for me?”

Cornelius answered:“Four days ago I was in my house fasting and[fn] praying at this, the ninth hour. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me 31 and said,‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been remembered before God. 32 Therefore send to Joppa for Simon, who is called Peter. He is a guest in [the] home of Simon [the] tanner, by [the] sea. He will speak to you when he arrives.[fn]’

So I sent for you immediately, and you were kind enough to come. Now then, we {are} all here in the presence of God to listen to everything God[fn] has instructed you [to tell us].”

Good News for the Gentiles

Then Peter began to speak“I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, 35 but vvv welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. 36 He has sent [this] message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, [who] is Lord of all.

You yourselves know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee with the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with [the] Holy Spirit and with power, [and] how [Jesus] went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.

We are witnesses of all that He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And although vvv they put [Him] to death by hanging [Him] on a tree, 40 God raised [Him] up on the third day and caused Him to be seen — 41 not by all the people, but by the witnesses God had chosen beforehand, by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from [the] dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the [One] appointed by God to judge [the] living and [the] dead. 43 All the prophets testify about Him [that] everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”

The Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit

(Acts 19:1–7)

[While] Peter vvv was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard [his] message. 45 All[fn] the circumcised believers [who] had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God.

Then Peter said, 47 “Can anyone withhold the water vvv to baptize these [people]? [They] have received the Holy Spirit just as we [have]!” 48 So he ordered that vvv they be baptized in the name of the Lord.[fn] Then they asked him to stay [for a few] days.