1 THERE was a certain man in Cæsarea 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 fourfooted 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 Cæsarea. 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 Judæa, 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.

1There was a certaine man in Cesarea, called Cornelius, a Centurion of þe band called the Italian band,

2A deuout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gaue much almes to the people, and prayed to God alway.

3He saw in a vision euidently, about the ninth houre of the day, an Angel of God comming in to him, and saying vnto him Cornelius.

4And when he looked on him, hee was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said vnto him, Thy praiers and thine almes are come vp for a memorial before God.

5And now send men to Ioppa, and call for one Simon, whose sirname is Peter.

6Hee lodgeth with one Simon a Tanner, whose house is by the Sea side; he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to doe.

7And when the Angel which spake vnto Cornelius, was departed, he called two of his houshold seruants, and a deuout souldier of them that waited on him continually.

8And when he had declared all these things vnto them, he sent them to Ioppa.

9 On the morrow as they went on their iourney, and drew nigh vnto the citie, Peter went vp vpon the house to pray, about the sixth houre.

10And he became very hungry, and would haue eaten: But while they made ready, he fell into a traunce,

11And saw heauen opened, and a certaine vessell descending vnto him, as it had beene a great sheete, knit at the foure corners, and let downe to the earth:

12Wherein were all maner of foure footed beasts of the earth, and wilde beasts, and creeping things, and foules of the ayre.

13And there came a voyce to him, Rise, Peter: kill, and eate.

14But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I haue neuer eaten any thing that is common or vncleane.

15And the voice spake vnto him againe the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

16This was done thrise: & the vessel was receiued vp againe into heauen.

17Now while Peter doubted in himselfe what this vision which he had seene, should meane: behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius, had made inquirie for Simons house, and stood before the gate,

18And called, and asked whether Simon, which was sirnamed Peter, were lodged there.

19 While Peter thought on the vision, the spirit said vnto him, Behold, three men seeke thee.

20Arise therefore, and get thee downe, and goe with them, doubting nothing: for I haue sent them.

21Then Peter went downe to the men, which were sent vnto him from Cornelius, and said, Behold, I am hee, whom ye seeke: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

22And they saide, Cornelius the Centurion, a iust man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Iewes, was warned from God by an holy Angel, to send for thee into his house, and to heare words of thee.

23Then called he them in, and lodged them: And on the morrowe Peter went away with them, and certaine brethren from Ioppa accōpanied him.

24And the morrow after they entred into Cesarea: and Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and neere friends.

25And as Peter was comming in, Cornelius met him, and fell downe at his feete, and worshipped him.

26But Peter tooke him vp, saying, Stand vp, I my selfe also am a man.

27And as he talked with him, hee went in, and found many that were come together.

28And he said vnto them, Ye know how that it is an vnlawfull thing for a man that is a Iewe, to keepe company or come vnto one of another nation: but God hath shewed me, that I should not call any man common or vncleane.

29Therfore came I vnto you without gainesaying, as soone as I was sent for. I aske therefore, for what intent ye haue sent for me.

30And Cornelius said, Foure daies agoe I was fasting vntill this houre, and at the ninth houre I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine almes are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

32Send therfore to Ioppa, and call hither Simon, whose sirname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a Tanner, by the Sea side, who when he cōmeth, shall speake vnto thee.

33Immediately therefore I sent to thee, and thou hast well done, that thou art come. Now therefore are we all heere present before God, to heare all things that are cōmanded thee of God.

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a trueth I perceiue þt God is no respecter of persons:

35But in euery nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousnesse, is accepted with him.

36The word which God sent vnto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Iesus Christ (he is Lord of all.)

37That word (I say) you knowe which was published thorowout all Iudea, and began from Galilee, after the baptisme which Iohn preached:

38How God anointed Iesus of Nazareth with the holy Ghost, and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the deuill: for God was with him.

39And we are witnesses of all things which hee did both in the land of the Iewes, and in Hierusalem, whom they slew and hanged on a tree,

40Him God raised vp the third day, and shewed him openly,

41Not to all the people, but vnto witnesses, chosen before of God, euen to vs who did eate and drinke with him after he rose from the dead.

42And he commanded vs to preach vnto the people, and to testifie that it is he which was ordeined of God to be the Iudge of quicke and dead.

43To him giue all the Prophets witnesse, that through his Name whosoeuer beleeueth in him, shall receiue remission of sinnes.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45And they of the circumcision which beleeued, were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was powred out the gift of the holy Ghost.

46For they heard them speake with tongues, and magnifie God. Then answered Peter,

47Can any man forbid water, that these should not bee baptized, which haue receiued the holy Ghost, as well as wee?

48And hee commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarie certaine dayes.

 

1 Now in Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Cohort called the Italica, 2 devout and God-fearing along with his whole household, who used to give alms generously to the Jewish people and pray to God constantly. 3 One afternoon about three o'clock, he saw plainly in a vision an angel of God come in to him and say to him, "Cornelius." 4 He looked intently at him and, seized with fear, said, "What is it, sir?" He said to him, "Your prayers and almsgiving have ascended as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send some men to Joppa and summon one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with another Simon, a tanner, who has a house by the sea." 7 When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from his staff, 8 explained everything to them, and sent them to Joppa. 9 The next day, while they were on their way and nearing the city, Peter went up to the roof terrace to pray at about noontime. 10 He was hungry and wished to eat, and while they were making preparations he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something resembling a large sheet coming down, lowered to the ground by its four corners. 12 In it were all the earth's four-legged animals and reptiles and the birds of the sky. 13 A voice said to him, "Get up, Peter. Slaughter and eat." 14 But Peter said, "Certainly not, sir. For never have I eaten anything profane and unclean." 15 The voice spoke to him again, a second time, "What God has made clean, you are not to call profane." 16 This happened three times, and then the object was taken up into the sky. 17 While Peter was in doubt about the meaning of the vision he had seen, the men sent by Cornelius asked for Simon's house and arrived at the entrance. 18 They called out inquiring whether Simon, who is called Peter, was staying there. 19 As Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said (to him), "There are three men here looking for you. 20 So get up, go downstairs, and accompany them without hesitation, because I have sent them." 21 Then Peter went down to the men and said, "I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your being here?" 22 They answered, "Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, respected by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and to hear what you have to say." 23 So he invited them in and showed them hospitality. The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. 24 On the following day he entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. 26 Peter, however, raised him up, saying, "Get up. I myself am also a human being." 27 While he conversed with him, he went in and found many people gathered together 28 and said to them, "You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with, or visit, a Gentile, but God has shown me that I should not call any person profane or unclean. 29 And that is why I came without objection when sent for. May I ask, then, why you summoned me?" 30 Cornelius replied, "Four days ago at this hour, three o'clock in the afternoon, I was at prayer in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling robes stood before me and said, 31 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your almsgiving remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter. He is a guest in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.' 33 So I sent for you immediately, and you were kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to listen to all that you have been commanded by the Lord." 34 Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. 35 Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. 36 You know the word (that) he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, 37 what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and (in) Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. 40 This man God raised (on) the third day and granted that he be visible, 41 not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name." 44 While Peter was still speaking these things, the holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also, 46 for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter responded, 47 "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the holy Spirit even as we have?" 48 He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. 49 Then they invited him to stay for a few days.  

v1. Centurion. One in charge of 100 soldiers. Six of these or 600 in a regiment, band or cohort. Italian - All native Roman soldiers as bodyguard for the governor.
v2. An uncircumcised Gentile, proselyte to the Jewish faith. Religious and desired to serve the true God, but (See Rom. 10:13-15) he had to receive the Word first. Roman soldiers were ordinarily hated, but there was mutual respect after turning to their faith.
v3. Angel sent by God in response to real searching. Ninth hour, 3:00 PM.
v4. This is the only type of prayer from unsaved that God is interested in. He may answer some of their prayers, but this is the only one He promises to answer.
v5.  God provides a messenger for one truly searching.
v6. The angel appeared to him, but the message of salvation was committed to men. Simon was considered unclean by virtue of being Gentile “dog”. (Jesus called woman of Tyre dog, Mt. 15:26.) Also Simon’s occupation, around dead animals, made him unclean. The only reason a woman could divorce a man was if he had not told her he was a tanner, and Levirite marriage, Deut. 25:5,6, did not apply if her brother-in-law was a tanner. Tanners were by the sea side or other streams to carry away wastes, and because for odor reason a tanner had to be at least 150 feet outside the city limit.
v7,8. He lost no time following instructions.
v9. We too need a regular time and place for prayer. Results will happen. The housetop for them was a private place as well as better to look toward Jerusalem.
v10. Sixth hour - noon so he was hungry. Trance - a vision from the Lord. Though symbolic, Peter comes to realize God is making a change in dealing with mankind.
v11. Corners. In Greek, a term for the end of bandages. Luke, being a physician applies the term to the ends of the sheet, but it is still in the context that it was tied at the four corners to hold the animals.
12-15. Perhaps Peter had led Simon to the Lord. Peter was perhaps being prepared by his stay there, yet he still had an aversion to eating what was unclean.
v14. This is proof Cornelius, though devout and feared God, v2, was unsaved.
v15. “Common”. Unholy or undedicated. 1 Sam. 21:4, where the priest had no common bread. However the hallowed bread reserved for the priests could be dispensed for mercy to the hungry.
v16. Sometimes lessons are repeated for emphasis. Jesus told Peter he would deny him three times, Mt; 26:34,  asked three times if he loved Jesus, Jn. 32:15-17.
v17-20. Doesn’t understand it yet when interrupted, but was told to go anyway.
v21-23. Prompt obedience to command, v20, “get thee down” and “go”. Must have made the 30 miles in one day, but arrived after sunset making this four days, v 30.
v24. Like some missionaries concerned about others and seeking a place to minister. Then the joy of finding them open and receptive.
v25. Worshiped.  Undue reverence as if they came direct from God.
v26. This opposes “priest worship”. Herod, Acts 12:23.
v28,29  Peter reminds them of the prejudice, but God revealed to set it aside.
v30-33. Cornelius introduces his purpose of sending for him etc.
v31. Gospel goes to true seekers. See Acts 8:26-38.
v34. Important - “no respecter of persons”. Rom. 2:11 and 10:13.
v35. Accepted with him.  Better, acceptable for salvation.
v36-41. Stories concerning the Word from Jewish history as well as about Christ had probably reached them. Presentation as usual mentions the death and resurrection. He emphasizes being eye witness, even eating with Him after He arose.
v42. Commanded.  This lends authority to the message.
v43. The purpose of prophecy was to point to Christ and remission of sins through Him. Local prophesies merely building around the main theme.
v44. This verse marks a principal pivotal point of Scripture. Prior to this, Jews received the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and, Acts 8:18, Simon tried to purchase this ability. But now, and even to a Gentile,  no apostolic mediation or other condition than simple faith in Christ was needed. Peter was still talking, hadn’t given an altar call, they were saved in their seats as people can be today in church or later in their cars or homes. They only need to have a heart belief in Christ.
v45. Peter was no doubt as surprised as the others to see the Holy Ghost poured out on them.
v46. Speaking in tongues proved to the others (Jews) that Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit, but that sign is no longer needed today.
v47. This in no wise indicates water was to be brought for sprinkling or pouring. The word still meant immersion, and it was not to be forbidden to Gentiles.
v48. Baptism was immediate. Note the follow up work.