Acts 10:30–11:18

30 So Cornelius said, 9“Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, sa man stood before me tin bright clothing, 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, uyour prayer has been heard, and vyour 1alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. 2When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”

Preaching to Cornelius’ Household

34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: w“In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But xin every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is yaccepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the 3children of Israel, zpreaching peace through Jesus Christ—aHe is Lord of all—37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and bbegan from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how cGod anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who dwent about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, efor God was with Him. 39 And we are fwitnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom 4they gkilled by hanging on a tree. 40 Him hGod raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 inot to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us jwho ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And kHe commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify lthat it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge mof the living and the dead. 43 nTo Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, owhoever believes in Him will receive premission 5of sins.”

The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, qthe Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 rAnd 6those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, sbecause the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit tjust as we have?” 48 uAnd he commanded them to be baptized vin the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Peter Defends God’s Grace

11 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, athose of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, b“You went in to uncircumcised men cand ate with them!”

4 But Peter explained it to them din order from the beginning, saying: 5 e“I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. 6 When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ 10 Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11 At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 Then fthe Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover gthese six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 hAnd he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, ias upon us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, j‘John indeed baptized with water, but kyou shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 lIf therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, mwho was I that I could withstand God?”

18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, n“Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”