27. Peter went on talking with Cornelius as they went inside. There Peter saw many people together.
28. He said, “You people understand that it is against our Jewish law for a Jew to associate with or visit anyone who is not a Jew. But God has shown me that I should not call any person ‘unholy’ or ‘unclean.’
29. That is why I did not argue when I was asked to come here. Now, please tell me why you sent for me.”
30. Cornelius 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 standing before me wearing shining clothes.
31. He said, ‘Cornelius! God has heard your prayer. He has seen what you give to the poor. And God remembers you.
32. So send some men to Joppa and 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.’
33. So I sent for you immediately, and it was very good of you to come. Now we are all here before God to hear everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
34. Peter began to speak: “I really understand now that to God every person is the same.
35. God accepts anyone who worships him and does what is right. It is not important what country a person comes from.
36. You know that God has sent his message to the people of Israel. That message is the Good News that peace has come through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Lord of all people!
37. You know what has happened all over Judea. It began in Galilee after John preached to the people about baptism.
38. You know about Jesus from Nazareth. God made him the Christ by giving him the Holy Spirit and power. You know how Jesus went everywhere doing good. He healed those who were ruled by the devil, for God was with Jesus.
39. We saw all the things that Jesus did in Judea and in Jerusalem. But they killed him by nailing him to a cross.
40. Yet, on the third day, God raised Jesus to life and caused him to be seen.
41. But he was not seen by all the people. Only the witnesses that God had already chosen saw him, and we are those witnesses. We ate and drank with him after he was raised from death.
42. He told us to preach to the people and to tell them that he is the one whom God chose to be the judge of the living and the dead.
43. Everyone who believes in Jesus will be forgiven. God will forgive his sins through Jesus. All the prophets say this is true.”
44. While Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who were listening.