Peter and Cornelius

Introduction: Peter finally understands God’s salvation is for ALL nations. In the town of Caesarea there was a Roman centurion named Cornelius. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day an angel of God said to him, "Cornelius!" "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea." About noon the following day Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something

to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat." "Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." The voice spoke to him

a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." This happened three times, and the sheet was taken back to heaven. While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found Simon's house

and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Peter was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Three men are looking for you. Get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them." The next day Peter and some of the brothers from Joppa started out with them and the following day they

arrived at Cornelius’s house in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself." Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: "You are well aware that it is

against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. So I came without any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?" Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon.

Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, `Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' So I sent for you and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us." Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men

from every nation who fear him and do what is right. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. "We are witnesses of everything Jesus did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by

hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that Jesus is the Christ whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The

circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.