- 32And it came to pass as Peter passed throughout all these regions, he came down also to the saints who dwelled at Lydda. 33And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had kept his bed eight years and was sick of the palsy. 34And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you whole; arise and make your bed. And he arose immediately. 35And all that dwelled at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
- 36Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, who (by interpretation) is called Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and alms-giving which she did. 37And it came to pass in those days that she was sick and died — whom, when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38And forasmuch as Lydda was near to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring of him that he would not delay to come to them. 39Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper chamber, and all the widows stood by him, weeping and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. 40But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and prayed, and turning himself to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41And he gave her his hand and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42And it was known throughout all Joppa and many believed in the Lord. 43And it came to pass that he remained many days in Joppa with one Simon, a tanner.
- 10There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian Band, 2a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people and prayed to God always. 3He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4And when he looked on him, he was afraid and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. 5And now send men to Joppa and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter. 6He lodges with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside; he shall tell you what you ought to do. 7And when the angel who spoke unto Cornelius had departed, he called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; 8and when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
- 9On the next day, as they went on their journey and drew near unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour. 10And he became very hungry and would have eaten, but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11and saw Heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him as a great sheet, knit at the four corners and let down to the earth, 12wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13And there came a voice to him: Rise, Peter, kill and eat. 14But Peter said, Not so Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. 15And the voice spoke unto him again the second time, What God has cleansed, that call not common. 16This was done three times and the vessel was received up again into Heaven.
- 17Now while Peter wondered in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate, 18and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19While Peter thought on the vision, the spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek you. 20Arise therefore and get yourself down, and go with them, doubting nothing, for I have sent them. 21Then Peter went down to the men who were sent unto him from Cornelius and said, Behold, I am he whom you seek. What is the cause for which you have come? 22And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man and one that fears God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel to send for you into his house and to hear words of you. 23Then he called them in and lodged them. And on the next day, Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
- 24And the next day, they entered into Caesarea, and Cornelius waited for them and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him. 26But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27And as he talked with him, he went in and found many that had come together. 28And he said unto them, You know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company or come unto one of another nation; but God has showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29Therefore came I unto you without objection, as soon as I was sent for. I ask therefore, for what intent you have sent for me. 30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house. And behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31and said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard and your alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32Send therefore to Joppa and call here Simon, whose surname is Peter — he is lodged in the house of one Simon, a tanner by the seaside — who, when he comes, shall speak unto you. 33Immediately therefore I sent to you, and you have done well that you have come. Now therefore are we all here, present before God, to hear all things that are commanded you of God.
- 34Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Truly I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, 35but in every nation, he that fears him and works righteousness is accepted with him. 36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all — 37that word, I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy ghost and with power, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil, for God was with him. 39And we are witnesses of all things which he did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. Whom they slew and hung on a tree, 40him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly — 41not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42And he commanded us to preach unto the people and to testify that it is he who was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43To him give all the prophets witness that, through his name, whoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins.
- 44While Peter yet spoke these words, the holy ghost fell on all them who heard the word. 45And they of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the holy ghost; 46for they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the holy ghost as well as we? 48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to remain certain days.
- 11And the apostles and brethren that were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2And when Peter had come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 3saying, You went in to uncircumcised men and did eat with them. 4But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning and expounded it by order unto them, saying, 5I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain vessel descend as a great sheet, let down from Heaven by four corners. And it came even to me, 6upon which, when I had fastened my eyes, I considered, and saw four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 7And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter, slay and eat. 8But I said, Not so, Lord, for nothing common or unclean has at any time entered into my mouth. 9But the voice answered me again from Heaven, What God has cleansed, that call not common. 10And this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into Heaven. 11And behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. 12And the spirit bid me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover, these six brethren accompanied me and we entered into the man’s house, 13and he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, who stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter, 14who shall tell you words whereby you and all your house shall be saved. 15And as I began to speak, the holy ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the holy ghost. 17Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, what was I that I could withstand God? 18When they heard these things, they held their peace and glorified God, saying, Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Chapter 6