1At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.2He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.3One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, ‘Cornelius!’4Cornelius stared at him in fear. ‘What is it, Lord?’ he asked. The angel answered, ‘Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.5Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.6He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.’7When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants.8He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
Peter’s vision
9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds.13Then a voice told him, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’14‘Surely not, Lord!’ Peter replied. ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.’15The voice spoke to him a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’16This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.17While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate.18They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Simon, three[1] men are looking for you.20So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.’21Peter went down and said to the men, ‘I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?’22The men replied, ‘We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.’
Peter at Cornelius’ house
23Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.24The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.25As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence.26But Peter made him get up. ‘Stand up,’ he said, ‘I am only a man myself.’27While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.28He said to them: ‘You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.29So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?’30Cornelius answered: ‘Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me31and said, “Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.32Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.”33So I sent for you immediately, 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 tell us.’34Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism35but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.37You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached –38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.39‘We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross,40but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen.41He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen – by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.46For they heard them speaking in tongues[2] and praising God. Then Peter said,47‘Surely no-one can stand in the way of their being baptised with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’48So he ordered that they be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
1Имаше в Цезарея един човек на име Корнилий, стотник от така наречения Италийски полк.2Той беше благочестив и се боеше от Бога с целия си дом, раздаваше много милостини на хората и непрестанно се молеше на Бога. (Ac 8:2; Ac 10:22; Ac 10:35; Ac 22:12)3Около деветия час през деня той видя ясно във видение един ангел от Бога, който влезе при него и му каза: Корнилий! (Ac 10:30; Ac 11:13)4А Той, като се взря в него, уплашен каза: Какво има, Господи? И ангелът му каза: Твоите молитви и твоите милостини се издигнаха пред Бога за спомен.5И сега изпрати човеци в Йопия да повикат Симон, когото наричат още Петър.6Той гостува у един кожар Симон, чиято къща е край морето, той ще ти каже какво трябва да правиш. (Ac 9:43; Ac 11:14)7И като си отиде ангелът, който му говореше, той повика двама от слугите си и един благочестив войник от тези, които редовно му служеха;8и като им разказа всичко, прати ги в Йопия.9А на следващия ден, когато те пътуваха и наближаваха града, около шестия час Петър се качи на покрива на къщата да се помоли. (Ac 11:5)10И като огладня, поиска да яде; но докато приготвяха, той се отнесе духом11и видя небето отворено и някакъв съд да слиза като голямо платнище, спускано за четирите краища към земята. (Ac 7:56; Re 19:11)12В него имаше всякакви земни четирикраки, зверове и небесни птици. (Le 11:23; Le 20:25)13И дойде глас към него: Стани, Петре, заколи и яж.14А Петър каза: В никакъв случай, Господи, защото никога не съм ял нищо мръсно и нечисто. (Le 11:4; Le 20:25; De 14:3; De 14:7; Eze 4:14)15И пак дойде към него втори път глас: Което Бог е очистил, ти не го смятай за мръсно. (Mt 15:11; Ac 10:28; Ro 14:14; 1Co 10:25; 1Ti 4:4; Tit 1:15)16И това стана три пъти, след което съдът се вдигна веднага на небето.17А докато Петър беше в недоумение какво значеше видението, което бе видял, ето, изпратените от Корнилий човеци, като бяха разпитали за Симоновата къща, застанаха пред вратата18и като повикаха отвън, попитаха: Тук ли гостува Симон, когото наричат Петър?19И докато Петър още размишляваше за видението, Духът му каза: Ето, трима човека те търсят. (Ac 11:12)20Стани, слез и иди с тях; и никак не се съмнявай, защото Аз съм ги изпратил. (Ac 15:7)21И така, Петър слезе при човеците и каза: Ето, аз съм онзи, когото търсите. Защо дойдохте?22А те казаха: Стотникът Корнилий, човек праведен и който се бои от Бога и е с добро име между целия юдейски народ, бе уведомен от Бога чрез един свят ангел да те повика в своя дом и да чуе думи от тебе. (Ac 10:1; Ac 10:2; Ac 22:12)23Тогава той ги покани вътре и ги нагости. И на сутринта той стана и излезе с тях; а някои от братята от Йопия го придружиха. (Ac 10:45; Ac 11:12)24И на другия ден влязоха в Цезарея; а Корнилий ги чакаше, като беше свикал роднините си и близките си приятели.25И когато Петър влезе, Корнилий го посрещна, падна пред него и се поклони.26А Петър го вдигна, като каза: Стани; и аз самият съм човек. (Ac 14:14; Ac 14:15; Re 19:10; Re 22:9)27И като разговаряше с него, той влезе и намери мнозина събрани.28И им каза: Вие знаете колко е незаконно за юдеин да се събира или да дружи с другоплеменник; Бог обаче ми показа, че не бива да наричам никого мръсен или нечист. (Mt 9:11; Joh 4:9; Joh 18:28; Ac 11:3; Ac 15:8; Ac 15:9; Ga 2:12; Ga 2:14; Eph 3:6)29Затова, щом ме повикахте, дойдох, без да възразявам; и така, питам ви, защо ме повикахте?30И Корнилий каза: Преди четири дни прекарвах деветия час в молитва у дома; и ето, пред мене застана човек със светло облекло, който каза: (Mt 28:3; Mr 16:5; Lu 24:4; Ac 1:10)31Корнилий, твоята молитва е чута и твоите милостини се помнят пред Бога. (Da 10:12; Ac 10:4; Heb 6:10)32А сега, прати в Йопия да повикат Симон, когото наричат Петър; той гостува в дома на един кожар Симон край морето, той, като дойде, ще ти говори.33И така, начаса пратих до теб и ти си направил добре, че дойде. И така, ние всички присъстваме тук пред Бога, за да чуем всичко, което ти е заповядано от Господа.
44Докато Петър още говореше тези думи, Святият Дух слезе на всички, които слушаха словото. (Ac 4:31; Ac 8:15; Ac 11:15)45И обрязаните вярващи, които бяха дошли с Петър, се смаяха, че дарът на Святия Дух се изля и на езичниците, (Ac 11:18; Ga 3:14)46защото ги чуваха да говорят чужди езици и да величаят Бога. Тогава Петър проговори: (Mr 16:17)47Може ли някой да забрани водата, за да не се кръстят тези, които приеха Святия Дух, както и ние? (Ac 11:17; Ac 15:8; Ac 15:9; Ro 10:12)48И заповяда да бъдат кръстени в името на Исус Христос. Тогава му се примолиха да остане няколко дни у тях. (Ac 2:38; Ac 8:16; 1Co 1:17)