And Peter went down to the men, and said, "Behold, I am he whom ye seek: why are ye come?"

And they said, "Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned of God by a holy angel to send for thee to come to his house, and to hear words from thee." So he called them in and lodged them.

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And on the morrow he arose and went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And on the morrow they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kinsmen and his near friends. And when Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself also am a man."

And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many come together: and he said unto them, "Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and yet unto me hath God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean: wherefore also I came without doubting, when I was sent for. I ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me."

And Cornelius said, "Four days ago, until this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel, and said, 'Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call unto thee Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side.' Forthwith therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord."

And Peter opened his mouth, and said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is [{356}] acceptable to him. The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)--that saying ye yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; about Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: how he went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which be did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and showed him, not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this is he who is ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name everyone that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins."

While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word. And the Jews who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

Then answered Peter, "Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?"

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.