Acts 10

King James Version

Full text for Acts Chapter 10

1¶ There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian [band],

2[A] devout [man], and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

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, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

5And now send men to Joppa, and call for [one] Simon, whose surname is Peter:

6He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

7And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was 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.

9¶ On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh 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 it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

12Wherein were all manner of fourfooted 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 any thing that is common or unclean.

15And the voice [spake] unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, [that] call not thou common.

16This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

17Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

18And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

19¶ While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

20Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

21Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what [is] the cause wherefore ye are come?

22And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

23Then called he them in, and lodged [them]. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

24And the morrow after 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 were come together.

28And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

29Therefore came I [unto you] without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye 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, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

32Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of [one] Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

33Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

34¶ Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh 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], ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, 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 hanged on a tree:

40Him God raised up the third day, and shewed 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 which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead.

43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44¶ While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that 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, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Acts 10 details the divine encounter between Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion, and the Apostle Peter. Cornelius receives a vision instructing him to send for Peter, while Peter simultaneously experiences a vision declaring that God has cleansed what was once considered common or unclean. This leads Peter to preach the Gospel to Cornelius's household, resulting in the Holy Ghost falling upon these Gentiles and their subsequent baptism, signifying the inclusion of non-Jews into the Christian faith.

Medium Summary

The chapter begins with Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion in Caesarea, receiving a vision from an angel who instructs him to send for Simon Peter in Joppa. Concurrently, Peter, while praying in Joppa, experiences a trance where he sees a sheet filled with various "unclean" animals and hears a voice commanding him to eat, declaring, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." This vision, repeated thrice, challenges Peter's traditional Jewish dietary laws and understanding of purity. Guided by the Spirit, Peter accompanies Cornelius's messengers to Caesarea, where he finds a gathering of Gentiles. Peter explains that God has shown him not to call any man common or unclean, thus justifying his presence. He then preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ, emphasizing God's impartiality and the remission of sins through faith. While Peter speaks, the Holy Ghost falls upon all the Gentile hearers, astonishing the Jewish believers present. Recognizing this divine affirmation, Peter commands their baptism, marking a pivotal moment for the inclusion of Gentiles into the early church.

Long Summary

Acts chapter 10 recounts the significant event of the Gospel's expansion to the Gentiles, initiated through the divine orchestration involving Cornelius and Peter. Cornelius, a Roman centurion residing in Caesarea, is depicted as a devout man who fears God, gives alms, and prays continually. He receives a vision from an angel who acknowledges his piety and instructs him to send for Simon Peter, who is lodging in Joppa. Obediently, Cornelius dispatches two servants and a devout soldier. Meanwhile, Peter, on a housetop in Joppa, experiences a profound trance and vision. He sees a great sheet descending from heaven, filled with all manner of four-footed beasts, wild beasts, creeping things, and fowls, many of which were considered unclean by Jewish law. A voice commands Peter to "kill, and eat," but he refuses, citing his adherence to dietary laws. The voice then declares, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common," a message repeated thrice, challenging Peter's understanding of ritual purity. As Peter contemplates the vision's meaning, the Holy Spirit directs him to meet the three men sent by Cornelius, assuring him of their divine purpose. Peter accompanies them to Caesarea, bringing along certain brethren from Joppa. Upon his arrival, Cornelius falls down to worship him, but Peter raises him, affirming that he too is merely a man. Peter then addresses the assembled Gentiles, explaining that although it was unlawful for a Jew to associate with those of another nation, God had shown him not to call any man common or unclean. Cornelius recounts his own vision, confirming that he was instructed to send for Peter to hear words from God. Peter then preaches a powerful sermon, declaring that God is no respecter of persons, but accepts those who fear Him and work righteousness in every nation. He proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ, detailing His anointing, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and His role as Judge of the living and the dead, emphasizing that through His name, believers receive remission of sins. While Peter is still speaking, the Holy Ghost falls upon all the Gentile hearers, causing astonishment among the Jewish believers who accompanied Peter, as they witnessed the same spiritual gift poured out on non-Jews. Peter then affirms that since these Gentiles have received the Holy Ghost, they should be baptized in the name of the Lord, thereby formally integrating them into the nascent Christian community.

Core Concepts

  • Divine ImpartialityGod shows no favoritism based on nationality or background, accepting all who fear Him and work righteousness, as declared by Peter. This concept challenges the traditional Jewish understanding of God's exclusive covenant with Israel.
  • Challenging Purity LawsPeter's vision of the sheet with "unclean" animals and the voice declaring "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common" signifies a divine re-evaluation of ritual purity, paving the way for fellowship between Jews and Gentiles.
  • Gentile InclusionThe chapter marks a pivotal moment where the Holy Ghost is explicitly poured out upon Gentiles, confirming their full acceptance into the Christian church without first becoming proselytes to Judaism.
  • Visions and Divine GuidanceBoth Cornelius and Peter receive distinct visions and direct guidance from angels and the Holy Spirit, demonstrating God's active intervention in directing the spread of the Gospel.
  • The Gospel MessagePeter's sermon to Cornelius's household encapsulates the core tenets of the early Christian message: Jesus' anointing, ministry, death, resurrection, and the promise of remission of sins through faith in His name.
  • Baptism as AffirmationFollowing the outpouring of the Holy Ghost upon the Gentiles, Peter commands their baptism, signifying public acknowledgment and formal incorporation into the body of believers, confirming their spiritual experience.