7.
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 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.
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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
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
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to you by the Lord." And so Peter opening his mouth said "In truth I perceive that Go
d 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.
You know what took place throughout all Judea starting from Galilee After John’s proclamation of baptism. (You know) how Jesus of Nazareth was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and power and he went about doing good and curing all the people oppressed by the devil because God was with him. We are witnesses of all the things he did both in the country of the Jews and Jerusalem. (But) they killed him by hanging him on a tree. This same person was raised by God on the third day
afterwards and God made him visible, not to all the people, but to us, witnesses previously appointed by God. We ate and drank with him after he rose again from the dead. He commanded us to proclaim to the people and give solemn witness that this man is the one designated by God to be judge of the living and of the dead. It is to this man that all the prophets give witness so that forgiveness of sin is to be received though his name by everyone believing in him. While Peter was still speaking these words the Holy Spirit fell on those who
heard him. And those in favour of circumcision who accompanied Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on people of ‘the nations’ as well. They heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered. “Nobody can forbid the water of baptism to these people who have received the Holy Spirit in the same way as ourselves.” He commanded that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then the people asked him to remain with them for some days longer.
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Peter eats "unclean" food with Cornelius 
