Cornelius, and the descent of the Holy Spirit descends upon the Gentiles - Acts 10

The centurion Cornelius had an angelic vision

1 And there was in Caesarea a man named Cornelius, the centurion of the so-called Italian cohort,

2 - Pious and God-fearing, with all his house, which did much alms to the people, and prayed continually to God.

3 - And at about the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God walking toward him and saying, Cornelius.

4 - And he fixed his eyes upon him, and was terrified, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thy alms are come up for a memorial before God;

5 - And now send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter.

6 - This one is staying with a certain Simon tanner, who has his house by the sea. He'll tell you what to do.

7 - And when the angel that was speaking to him had withdrawn, he called unto him two of his servants, and unto a pious soldier of them that were at his service.

8 - And when he had told them all things, he sent them to Joppa.

9 - And the next day, as they went their way, and being near the city, Peter went up to the roof to pray, about the sixth hour.

10 - And when he was hungry, he would eat; and as they prepared it, there came a trance of senses,

11 - And he saw the heavens opened, and a vessel went down, as it were a great linen, bound by the four horns, and cometh to the earth.

12 - In which were all the fourfold beasts, and beasts and creeping things of the earth, and fowls of the heaven.

13 - And there was a voice unto him, Arise, Peter, and slay and eat.

14 - But Peter said, Not at all, Lord, for I have never eaten anything common and unclean.

15 - And the voice came to him the second time, saying, Do not make yourself ordinary to what God has cleansed.

16 - And this happened three times; and the vessel returned to heaven. 17 And when Peter was doubting among himself what the vision which he had seen, behold, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius stood at the door, and inquired of the house of Simon.

18 - And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, dwelt there.

19 - And Peter thought in that vision, and the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

20 - Arise therefore, go down, and go with them, not doubting; because I sent them.

21 - And Peter went down to the men that were sent to him by Cornelius, and said, Behold, it is I that you seek; What is the reason why you are here?

22 - And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and a God-fearing man, and has a good report of all the nation of the Jews, was warned by a holy angel to call you to his house, and to hear your words.

23 - And when he had called them in, he received them into the house. And the next day Peter went with them, and certain brethren of Joppa went with him.

24 - And on the next day they came to Caesarea. And Cornelius was expecting them, having already invited his closest relatives and friends.

25 - And it came to pass, when Peter was come, that Cornelius went out to meet him, and worshiped him, and fell at his feet. 26 - But Peter lifted him up, saying, Arise, for I am a man also.

27 - And when he had talked with him, he went in, and found many there assembled.

28 - And he said unto them, Ye know ye that it is not lawful for a Jewish man to gather himself, or to approach strangers; but God showed me that no man should call common or unclean.

29 - Therefore, when I was called, I came without contradiction. I ask, therefore, why did you send for me?

30 - And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour, praying in my house at the ninth hour. 31 - And behold, there stood before me a man in shining garments, and said, Cornelius, thy prayer was heard, and thy alms are in remembrance before God.

32 - Send therefore to Joppa, and send for Simon, who is surnamed Peter; He is staying in the house of Simon the Tanner by the sea, and he will come and speak to you.

33 - And I sent for thee to call thee, and thou didst well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all things that are commanded of God.

34 - And Peter opened his mouth, and said, I acknowledge for truth that God is no respecter of persons; 35 - But to him who in any nation fears him and does what is just.

36 - The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, proclaiming peace through Jesus Christ (this is the Lord of all);

37 - This word, ye know, came into all Judea, beginning at Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

38 - How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with virtue; who went about doing good, and healing all the oppressed of the devil, because God was with him.

39 - And we are witnesses of all things that he did, both in the land of Judea and in Jerusalem; whom they killed, hanging on a tree.

40 - And God raised him up the third day, and caused him to appear,

41 - Not to all the people, but to the witnesses which God had ordained before; to us, who have eaten and drank with him, after he has risen from the dead.

42 And he charged us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is he who by God was made the judge of the living and the dead.

43 - To this all the prophets bear witness, that all who believe in him will receive the forgiveness of sins by his name. 

The Holy Spirit descends upon the Gentiles

44 - And as Peter spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell upon all that heard the word.

45 - And the faithful that were of the circumcision, as many as had come with Peter, marveled that the gift of the Holy Ghost was also poured out upon the Gentiles.

46 - For they heard them speak tongues, and magnify God.

47 - And Peter said, Can any man withhold water, lest they be baptized, that they also received the Holy Ghost?

48 - And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they begged him to stay with them for a few days.