Acts 10:29-48

²⁹That is why I came without arguing, when I was sent for. So I ask you why you sent for me.”

³⁰Cornelius said, “Four days ago at this very hour, I was praying at the ninth hour in my house; and see, a man stood before me in bright clothing.

³¹He said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard by God, and your gifts to the poor have reminded God about you.

³²So send someone to Joppa, and call to you a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying in the house of a tanner named Simon, by the seaside.'

³³So at once I sent for you. You are kind to have come. Now then, we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear everything that you have been instructed by the Lord to say.”

³⁴Then Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly, I perceive that God does not take anyone's side.

³⁵Instead, in every nation anyone who worships and does righteous deeds is acceptable to him.

³⁶You know the message that he sent to the people of Israel, when he announced good news about peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all—

³⁷you yourselves know the events that took place, which occurred throughout all Judea, beginning in Galilee, after the baptism that John announced;

³⁸the events concerning Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

³⁹We are witnesses of all the things Jesus did, both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree,

⁴⁰but God raised him up on the third day and caused him to be seen,

⁴¹not by all the people, but to the witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

⁴²He commanded us to proclaim to the people and to testify that this is the one who has been chosen by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead.

⁴³It is to him that all the prophets bear witness, so that everyone who believes in him shall receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”

⁴⁴While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all of those who were listening to his message.

⁴⁵The people who belonged to the circumcision group of believers—all of those who came with Peter—were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out also on the Gentiles.

⁴⁶For they heard these Gentiles speak in other languages and praising God. Then Peter answered,

⁴⁷“Can anyone keep water from these people so they should not be baptized, these people who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?”

⁴⁸Then he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay with them for several days.