Peter at Cornelius' House: Gentiles Receive the Spirit
Acts 10:24-48
24The next day he entered Caesarea. Cornelius was looking for them, having called together his kindred and the necessary friends.25As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet and worshiped him.26Peter raised him, saying, "Arise, and I myself am a human."27And conversing with him, he entered and found many assembled.28He asserted to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to be joined or to come near to a foreign one, and to me God showed to say no one common or unclean human."29Therefore without objection I came, having been sent, inquiring therefore for which word you sent for me.30Cornelius asserted, "From the fourth day until this hour I was praying the ninth in my house, and look, a man stood before me in shining clothing."31He asserts, "Cornelius, your prayer was heard and your charities were remembered before God."32Send therefore toward Joppa and call Simon who is called Peter. This one is hosted in the house of Simon the tanner beside the sea.33Immediately therefore I sent to you, and you did well having come. Now therefore all we are present before God to hear all the things having been ordered to you by the Lord.34Peter, having opened his mouth, said, "Truly I understand that God is not a respecter of persons.35But in every nation the one fearing him and working righteousness is acceptable to him."36The word which he sent to the sons of Israel, proclaiming peace through Jesus Christ—this one is Lord of all.37You know the declaration that became known throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached.38Jesus from Nazareth, as God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power, who passed through doing good and healing all the ones being oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.39And we are witnesses of all which he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom also they killed, having hung upon wood.40This one God raised on the third day and gave him to become revealed.41Not to all the people but to witnesses having been chosen by God—to us who ate with and drank with him after he arose out from the dead.42He ordered us to preach to the people and to testify that this one is the one having been determined by God as judge of living and dead.43To this one all the prophets testify: forgiveness of sins to everyone who believes in him through his name.44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were hearing the message.45The faithful from the circumcision were amazed, as many as came together with Peter, that also upon the Gentiles the gift of the Holy Spirit has been poured out.46For they were hearing them speaking tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered.47Surely no one can withhold the water for these people not to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.48He ordered them in the name of Jesus Christ to be baptized. Then they asked him to remain some days.