Self-interpreting Bible

« back to list of books

« back to list of chapters

Acts 10

1Cornelius, a devout centurion, being commanded by an angel, sendeth for Peter; 9who in the meantime is prepared by an heavenly vision: 17and, receiving a command from the Spirit, goeth with the messengers to Caesarea. 25Cornelius receiveth him with great respect, and sheweth the occasion of his sending for him. 34Peter preacheth Christ to him and his company: 44the Holy Ghost falleth on them, whereupon they are baptized.

1 THERE awas a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

2 bA devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

3 cHe saw in a vision *evidently about the ninth hour of the day dan angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

4 And when he looked on him, ehe was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are fcome up for a memorial before God.

5 gAnd now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

6 hHe 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, ihe sent them to Joppa.

    9 ¶On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, jPeter 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 ka trance,

    11 And saw lheaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been ma great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

    12 Wherein were all *manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

    • *: manner-kind, sort.

    13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

      14 But Peter said, nNot 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, oWhat God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

      16 This was done pthrice: qand 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 rwhich were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry 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 sthe vision, tthe Spirit said unto him, Behold, uthree men seek thee.

        20 vArise 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, wCornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of xgood 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. yAnd on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

          24 And the morrow after they entered into zCaesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and ahad called together his kinsmen and near friends.

          25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and bfell down at his feet, and cworshipped him.

          26 dBut 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 emany that were come together.

          28 And he said unto them, Ye know fhow 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 gthat I should not call any man common or unclean.

          29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, has 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 ifasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in jbright clothing,

          31 kAnd 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, lto hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

            34 ¶Then Peter mopened his mouth, and said, nOf a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

            35 oBut in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

            37 That word, I say, ye know, rwhich was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

            38 How sGod anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy *Ghost and with power: who twent about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for uGod was with him.

            39 And vwe are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom wthey slew and hanged on a tree:

            40 Him xGod raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

            41 yNot 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 zAnd he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he awhich was ordained of God to be the Judge of *quick and dead.

            43 bTo him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive c*remission of sins.

            44 ¶dWhile Peter yet spake these words, the Holy *Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

            45 And they of the circumcision ewhich 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 fspeak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

            47 gCan 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 hto be baptized in the name of the Lord. iThen prayed they him to tarry certain days.