Peter and Cornelius (cont.)

²⁴The next day they came into the city of Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them. He had already gathered his relatives and close friends [at his house]. ²⁵When Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him. Cornelius fell down at Peter's feet and worshiped him. ²⁶But Peter told him to get up. Peter said, "Stand up! I am only a man like you." ²⁷Peter continued talking with Cornelius. Then Peter went inside and saw a large group of people together there. ²⁸Peter said to the people, "You people understand that it is against our Jewish law for a Jew to associate with or visit any person who is not a Jew. But God has shown me that I should not call any person 'unholy' or 'not clean.' ²⁹That is why I did not argue when the men asked me to come here. Now, please tell me why you sent for me." ³⁰Cornelius said, "Four days ago, I was praying in my house. It was at this same time--three o'clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, there was a man (angel) standing before me. He was wearing bright, shiny clothes. ³¹The man said, 'Cornelius! God has heard your prayer. God has seen the things you give to the poor people. God remembers you. ³²So send some men to the city of Joppa. Ask Simon Peter to come. Peter is staying in the house of a man, also named Simon, who is a leatherworker.* His house is beside the sea.' ³³So I sent for you immediately. It was very good of you to come here. Now we are all here before God to hear everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."

Peter Speaks in the House of Cornelius

³⁴Peter began to speak: "I really understand now that to God every person is the same. ³⁵And God accepts any person who worships him and does what is right. It is not important what country a person comes from. ³⁶God has spoken to the Jewish people. God sent them the Good News* that peace has come through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Lord (Ruler) of all people! ³⁷You know what has happened all over Judea. It began in Galilee after John* told the people they needed to be baptized.* ³⁸You know about Jesus from Nazareth. God made him the Christ* by giving him the Holy Spirit* and power. Jesus went everywhere doing good things for people. Jesus healed the people that were ruled by the devil. This showed that God was with Jesus. ³⁹We saw all the things that Jesus did in Judea and in Jerusalem. We are witnesses. But Jesus was killed. They put him on a cross made of wood. ⁴⁰But, on the third day [after his death], God raised Jesus to life! God let people see Jesus clearly. ⁴¹But Jesus was not seen by all the people. Only the witnesses that God had already chosen saw him. We are those witnesses! We ate and drank with Jesus after he was raised from death. ⁴²Jesus told us to go and speak to the people. He told us to tell them that he is the One that God chose to be the Judge of all people that are living and all people that have died. ⁴³Every person who believes (trusts) in Jesus will be forgiven. God will forgive the sins of that person through the name of Jesus. All the prophets* say this is true."

The Holy Spirit Comes to Non-Jews

⁴⁴While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit* came down on all those people who were listening to his speech. ⁴⁵The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed. They were amazed that the Holy Spirit was poured out (given) to the non-Jewish people too. ⁴⁶These Jewish believers heard them speaking different languages and praising God. Then Peter said, ⁴⁷"We cannot refuse to allow these people to be baptized* in water. They have received the Holy Spirit the same as we did!" ⁴⁸So Peter commanded that Cornelius and his relatives and friends be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then the people asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

leatherworker Man who made leather from animal skins. Good News, message The news that God has made a way for people to have their sins forgiven and live with him forever. John John the Baptizer, the man that told people about Christ's coming (Read Mt. 3; Lk. 3). baptized A Greek word meaning to be immersed, dipped, or buried briefly under water. Christ The "anointed one" (Messiah) or chosen one of God. Spirit, Holy Spirit Also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. Joined with God and Christ, he does God's work among people in the world. prophets People that spoke for God. Some of them wrote books that are part of the Old Testament.