Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

There was a certain man in Caesarea named Cornelius, who was a centurion of the Italian band and held God in high esteem with his entire household. A devout man, and one who feared God with all his household, gave generously to those in need and prayed to God constantly.

At about the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him and saying, "Cornelius. Your prayers and charitable acts have been remembered by God." He replied, "Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea side; he will tell you what you should do."

When the angel who had spoken to Cornelius was gone, he summoned two of his household servants and a devout soldier who regularly attended him. And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

On the next day, as they continued their journey and drew near to the city, Peter went up onto the roof to pray at about noon. He became extremely hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing food, he fell into a trance. And he saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, like a great sheet lowered from the sky to the earth.

All manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and fowls of the air were in it. A voice came to him, saying, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." But Peter said, "Not so, Lord; I have never eaten anything that is considered common or unclean." And the voice spoke to him again, saying, "Do not call something common that God has declared clean."

This was done three times, and the vessel was taken back up into heaven. While Peter was still uncertain about what to make of the vision he had seen, the men sent by Cornelius arrived at Simon's house and stood before the gate. And he called them in and asked if Simon, also known as Peter, was lodging there.

While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise, and go with them without hesitation, for I have sent them." Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent from Cornelius and said, "I am he whom you seek; what is the cause of your coming?"

Cornelius, a devout and God-fearing man of good reputation among all the Jewish people, had been instructed by a holy angel to summon him to his home to hear his message. Then he called them in and lodged them, and on the next day Peter set out with them, accompanied by some brothers from Joppa.

And the next day they arrived in Caesarea, where Cornelius had gathered his relatives and close friends. As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet, worshiping him. But Peter took him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself also am a man."

And as he talked with them, he went in and found many people who had gathered together. And he said to them, "You know that it is contrary to Jewish law for a Jew to associate with or visit someone from another nation; but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean." I came to you without hesitation, as soon as I was summoned, and I ask why you have sent for me.

Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, when suddenly a man stood before me wearing radiant clothing. Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your acts of charity are being remembered before God. Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon, whose surname is Peter, who is lodging in the house of one Simon, a tanner by the sea side, that when he comes, he may speak with you.

Immediately I sent to you, and you have done well in coming. Now we are all here before God, to hear everything that God has commanded you." Then Peter declared, "I am convinced that God shows no favoritism. But in every nation he accepts those who fear him and work righteousness."

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, proclaiming peace through Jesus Christ (who is Lord of all) was published throughout all Judea and began from Galilee after John's baptism. That word, I say, you know which was proclaimed.

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, because God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, where they put him to death by hanging him on a tree.

God raised him up on the third day and openly showed him not to all the people but unto witnesses chosen by God in advance, who had eaten and drunk with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, testifying that it is he who was appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead.

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whoever believes in him shall receive forgiveness of sins. While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard his word. And those from the circumcision who believed were astonished, along with many others who had come with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also being poured out on Gentiles.

They heard them speaking in tongues and praising God; then Peter replied, "Who can stop us from baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just like we have?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord; then they asked him to stay with them for some days.