Peter and Cornelius

In Caesarea lives Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort: a devout man who fears God, gives generously to the poor, and prays constantly. Around the ninth hour, an angel tells him to send for Simon, surnamed Peter, who is staying in Joppa at the house of Simon the tanner. The next day, Peter is praying on the roof and falls into a trance: a great sheet descends from heaven, full of four-footed animals, reptiles, and birds. “Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.” “Not so, Lord!” “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” This happens three times. At that moment, Cornelius’s messengers arrive at the gate. In this Gentile’s house, Peter acknowledges: “God is no respecter of persons.” He proclaims Jesus, crucified and risen, in whose name everyone who believes receives forgiveness of sins. While he is still speaking, the Holy Spirit falls on all who hear, and they speak in tongues; Peter has them baptized.