Acts 10 (NMV)
1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was called the Italian Regiment.
2 He was a devout man who feared God, along with his entire household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed to God regularly.
3 About three in the afternoon, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him and saying, "Cornelius!"
4 Staring at him in fear, he said, "What is it, Lord?" The angel told him, "Your prayers and your acts of generosity have gone up before God as a memorial offering.
5 Now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also named Peter.
6 He is staying with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea."
7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him,
8 and after explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
9 The next day, as they were traveling and approaching the city, Peter went up to the roof to pray at about noon.
10 He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing the food, he fell into a trance.
11 He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth.
12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky.
13 Then a voice said to him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."
14 "No, Lord!" Peter said. "For I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."
15 The voice spoke to him again: "Do not call impure what God has made clean."
16 This happened three times, and then the object was suddenly taken back up into heaven.
17 While Peter was deeply perplexed about what the vision he had seen might mean, suddenly the men who had been sent by Cornelius stood at the gate. They had asked directions to Simon's house.
18 They called out, asking whether Simon, who is also called Peter, was staying there.
19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Three men are here looking for you.
20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them with no hesitation, because I have sent them."
21 Peter went down to the men and said, "I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?"
22 They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man who is respected by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house to hear what you have to say."
23 Then Peter invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he got up and set out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went with him.
24 The following day he entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and bowed down.
26 But Peter lifted him up and said, "Stand up. I too am just a man."
27 While talking with him, he went in and found many people gathered.
28 Peter said to them, "You know it is forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner, but God has shown me that I must not call any person impure or unclean.
29 That's why I came without objection when I was summoned. So may I ask why you sent for me?"
30 Cornelius replied, "Four days ago at this very hour, at three in the afternoon, I was praying in my house. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me
31 and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your acts of generosity have been remembered before God.
32 Send to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. He is staying in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.'
33 So I immediately 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 say."
34 Then Peter began to speak: "Now I truly understand that God does not show favoritism,
35 but in every nation the one who reveres Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.
36 He sent the message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, He is Lord of all.
37 You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached:
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.
39 We are witnesses of everything He did both in the countryside of Judea and in Jerusalem. They killed Him by hanging Him on a tree,
40 but God raised Him up on the third day and allowed Him to be seen,
41 not by all the people, but by us, witnesses chosen beforehand by God, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.
42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One appointed by God to judge the living and the dead.
43 All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name."
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who were listening to the message.
45 The Jewish believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles [non-Jews].
46 For they heard them speaking in other languages and praising God. Then Peter said,
47 "Can anyone withhold water and prevent these people from being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.