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10:1-48 There was a
certain man in Caesarea whose name was Cornelius. He was a centurion of
what was called an Italian cohort.
He was a devout man and feared God along with all
his household. He gave many donations to the people and petitioned
God continually. (One day) at about
the ninth hour (c/f 3 p.m.)
an angel of God entered him and said to him "Cornelius." He looked at him (the angel) and becoming
terrified he said "What is it Lord?" He said to him. "Your prayers and
your alms have gone as a memorial before God. And now send to Joppa and ask for Simon,
the one who is surnamed Peter. This
man is lodged with a tanner named Simon.
He has a house by the sea."
As the angel who was speaking to him went away he called two of the
household slaves and a devout soldier who were in attendance. He explained
all this to them and sent them to Joppa.
On the next day as they journeyed and drew near to the city Peter
went up onto the roof to pray at about the sixth hour (midday).
He became hungry and wanted to eat. While they prepared (the meal)
an ecstasy came upon him. He saw
heaven being opened and a certain vessel, like a great sheet held by four corners` appeared to be let down onto the earth. In it were all the quadrupeds and
reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then there came a voice to him
saying "Get up Peter. Kill and
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eat." But
Peter said " Not at all Lord.
I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean." Again a second time a voice came to him "What things God has cleansed, you
cannot treat as being unclean."
This happened on three occasions.
(Then) immediately the vessel was taken up into heaven. Now Peter was doubting within himself
what the vision that he saw actually meant. Then the men who had been sent by
Cornelius (arrived) asking for the house where Simon was. (Peter was)
standing at the porch. Calling out
to him they asked if Simon, surnamed Peter was living here. Peter was there pondering about the
vision. The spirit said "Look at the two men who are looking for
you. Get up and go down with
them. Doubt nothing because I have
sent them." (And so) going down
Peter said to the men "Look, I am the one you are looking for. Why are you here?" They said "Cornelius, a centurion
who is a just man and fears God and who respected by all of the Jews, was
told by a holy angel to summon you to his house so that he can hear from
you." Therefore he invited the
men in to stay there. The next day,
getting up he went off with them.
Some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. The day after that he (Peter) went into
Caesaria. Cornelius was waiting for
him. He had called together his
relatives and close friends. Now when Peter
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entered
Cornelius came to meet him. Falling
at his feet he worshipped him. But
Peter raised him up saying "Stand up I am only a man." And so talking with him he came in and
found that there were many people together there. He said to them "You understand that
it is not lawful for a Jew to belong with or to approach an outsider. (But) God has shown me not to call
anything common or unclean , including people. And so I came when asked (by you) without
question. I am therefore asking why
you summoned me?" Cornelius
told him "Four days ago at about this time I was praying at the ninth hour and lo and behold a man
stood before me in bright clothing.
He said "Cornelius your prayer and your alms have been
remembered before God. Therefore
send to Joppa and ask for Simon who
is surnamed Peter. This man is
lodged in the house of Simon, a tanner and it is by the sea." Therefore at once I sent messengers to
you and you have done well in arriving.
Now therefore all of us are present here to hear what has been
commanded to you by the Lord." And so Peter opening his mouth said
"In truth I perceive that God is not a respector of person. But in every nation there are people
fearing him and doing works that are acceptable to him. The word which he
sent to the sons of Israel
preaching peace through Jesus Christ. It is this one which is Lord of all.
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