The Early Church

And a voice came unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.

And this was done thrice: and straightway the vessel was received up into heaven.

Now while Peter was much perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before the gate,

and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodging there.

And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

But arise, and get thee down, and go with them, nothing doubting: for I have sent them.

And Peter went down to the men, and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are 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 into his house, and to hear words from thee.

So he called them in and lodged them. 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 Cæsarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kinsmen and his near friends.

And when it came to pass that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped 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 findeth 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 gainsaying, 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 saith, 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 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 Judæa, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who 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 he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree.