*Acts 10:24-48
Peter overcomes his reservations and preaches to Cornelius’ household, resulting in the Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit and being baptized.
- Peter Meets Cornelius
- Peter arrives in Caesarea the following day and is welcomed by Cornelius, who had gathered his relatives and close friends to meet Peter.
- As Peter enters, Cornelius meets him, falls at his feet, and worships him, but Peter lifts him up, saying he is just a man.
- As Peter talks with Cornelius, he enters the house and finds many people assembled.
- Peter Addresses the Gathering
- Peter explains that it is against Jewish law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile, but God has shown him that he should not call anyone impure or unclean.
- He asks Cornelius why he was sent for, and Cornelius recounts his vision of the angel instructing him to summon Peter, emphasizing that they are all present to listen to what the Lord has commanded Peter to say.
- Peter’s Message
- Peter begins to speak, realizing truly that God shows no favoritism, but accepts those from every nation who fear him and do what is right.
- He shares the message about Jesus Christ—His life, death, and resurrection—and declares that all the prophets testify about Him, that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.
- The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles
- While Peter is still speaking, the Holy Spirit comes on all who hear the message, surprising the Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.
- They hear them speaking in tongues and praising God.
- Peter then asks if anyone could withhold water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as they have.
- He orders that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and they ask him to stay for a few days.
10:24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
10:25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
10:26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
10:27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
10:28 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.
10:29 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? 10:30 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, 10:31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
10:32 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.
10:33 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.
10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 10:37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 10:38 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.
10:39 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: 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
10:42 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.
10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
10:45 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.
10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.