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.
Acts 10
King James Version
1There 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, 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.9On 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.19While 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.34Then 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.44While 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.
1In Cäsarea lebte aber ein Mann namens Kornelius, ein Hauptmann der Schar, die man »die Italische« nennt; (Mt 8:5; Ac 8:40; Ac 23:23; Ac 23:33)2der war fromm und gottesfürchtig mit seinem ganzen Haus und gab dem Volk viele Almosen und betete ohne Unterlass zu Gott. (Ge 18:19; Jos 24:15; Job 1:1; Ps 16:8; Ps 112:1; Ps 112:5; Mal 3:20; Lu 2:37; Ac 9:36; Col 4:2)3Der sah um die neunte Stunde des Tages in einem Gesicht deutlich einen Engel Gottes zu ihm hereinkommen, der zu ihm sprach: Kornelius! (Ac 3:1; Heb 1:14)4Er aber blickte ihn an, erschrak und sprach: Was ist, Herr? Er sprach zu ihm: Deine Gebete und deine Almosen sind hinaufgekommen vor Gott, sodass er ihrer gedacht hat! (Job 7:14; Ps 141:2; Lu 1:12; Lu 1:13; Heb 6:10)5Und nun sende Männer nach Joppe und lass Simon holen mit dem Beinamen Petrus.6Dieser ist zu Gast bei einem Gerber Simon, dessen Haus am Meer liegt; der wird dir sagen, was du tun sollst! (Ac 9:43)7Als nun der Engel, der mit Kornelius redete, hinweggegangen war, rief er zwei seiner Hausknechte und einen gottesfürchtigen Kriegsknecht von denen, die stets um ihn waren, (Ps 101:6; Lu 7:8)8und erzählte ihnen alles und sandte sie nach Joppe. (Ps 66:16)
Das Heil für die Heiden – Gott redet zu Petrus
9Am folgenden Tag aber, als jene auf dem Weg waren und sich der Stadt näherten, stieg Petrus auf das Dach, um zu beten, etwa um die sechste Stunde. (Ps 55:18; Da 6:11)10Da wurde er sehr hungrig und wollte essen. Während man aber etwas zubereitete, kam eine Verzückung über ihn. (Ac 11:5; Ac 22:17)11Und er sah den Himmel geöffnet und ein Gefäß zu ihm herabkommen, wie ein großes, leinenes Tuch, das an vier Enden gebunden war und auf die Erde niedergelassen wurde; (Eze 1:1; Re 4:1; Re 19:11)12darin waren all die vierfüßigen Tiere der Erde und die Raubtiere und die kriechenden Tiere und die Vögel des Himmels.13Und eine Stimme sprach zu ihm: Steh auf, Petrus, schlachte und iss!14Petrus aber sprach: Keineswegs, Herr! denn ich habe noch nie etwas Gemeines oder Unreines[1] gegessen! (Le 11:46; Le 20:25; Eze 4:14; Mt 16:22; Joh 13:8)15Und eine Stimme [sprach] wiederum, zum zweiten Mal, zu ihm: Was Gott gereinigt hat, das halte du nicht für gemein! (Ge 9:3; Mt 15:11; Ro 14:14; Eph 2:11; 1Ti 4:4)16Dies geschah dreimal, und dann wurde das Gefäß wieder in den Himmel hinaufgezogen. (Da 6:11; Da 6:14; Mt 26:34; Mt 26:75; Joh 21:15; Ac 11:10; 2Co 12:8)17Als aber Petrus bei sich selbst ganz ungewiss war, was das Gesicht bedeuten solle, das er gesehen hatte, siehe, da standen die von Kornelius abgesandten Männer, die das Haus Simons erfragt hatten, am Toreingang;18und sie riefen und erkundigten sich, ob Simon mit dem Beinamen Petrus hier zu Gast sei.19Während nun Petrus über das Gesicht nachdachte, sprach der Geist zu ihm: Siehe, drei Männer suchen dich! (Ac 8:29)20Darum steh auf, steige hinab und ziehe ohne Bedenken mit ihnen, denn ich habe sie gesandt!21Da ging Petrus zu den Männern hinab, die von Kornelius zu ihm gesandt worden waren, und sprach: Siehe, ich bin der, den ihr sucht. Was ist der Grund für euer Kommen? (Ac 10:29)22Sie aber sprachen: Kornelius, der Hauptmann, ein gerechter und gottesfürchtiger Mann, der ein gutes Zeugnis hat bei dem ganzen Volk der Juden, hat von einem heiligen Engel die Weisung erhalten, dich in sein Haus holen zu lassen, um Worte von dir zu hören. (Lu 7:4; 3Jo 1:12)23Da rief er sie herein und beherbergte sie. Am folgenden Tag aber zog Petrus mit ihnen, und etliche Brüder von Joppe gingen mit ihm. (Ac 10:45; Ac 11:12; Ro 12:13)
Die Bekehrung des Kornelius
24Und am anderen Tag kamen sie nach Cäsarea. Kornelius aber wartete auf sie und hatte seine Verwandten und seine vertrauten Freunde zusammengerufen. (Isa 2:3; Mic 4:2)25Als nun Petrus gerade hineinkam, ging ihm Kornelius entgegen und fiel ihm zu Füßen und huldigte ihm.26Petrus aber richtete ihn auf und sprach: Steh auf; auch ich bin ein Mensch! (Mt 23:8; Ac 14:14; Re 19:10; Re 22:8)27Und während er sich mit ihm unterredete, ging er hinein und fand viele versammelt.28Und er sprach zu ihnen: Ihr wisst, dass es einem jüdischen Mann nicht erlaubt ist, mit einem Angehörigen eines anderen Volkes zu verkehren oder sich ihm zu nahen; doch mir hat Gott gezeigt, dass ich keinen Menschen gemein oder unrein nennen soll. (Joh 4:9; Joh 6:45; Joh 18:28; Ac 11:2; Ac 15:8; Eph 3:6)29Darum bin ich auch ohne Widerrede gekommen, als ich hergerufen wurde. Und nun frage ich: Aus welchem Grund habt ihr mich gerufen? (Ac 10:21)30Und Kornelius sprach: Vor vier Tagen fastete ich bis zu dieser Stunde, und ich betete um die neunte Stunde in meinem Haus. Und siehe, da stand ein Mann in glänzender Kleidung vor mir (Lu 24:4)31und sprach: Kornelius, dein Gebet ist erhört, und deiner Almosen ist vor Gott gedacht worden! (Da 10:12)32Darum sende nach Joppe und lass Simon mit dem Beinamen Petrus holen; dieser ist zu Gast im Haus Simons, eines Gerbers, am Meer; der wird zu dir reden, wenn er kommt. (Ac 10:5)33Da sandte ich auf der Stelle zu dir, und du hast wohl daran getan zu kommen. So sind wir nun alle gegenwärtig vor dem Angesicht Gottes, um alles zu hören, was dir von Gott aufgetragen ist! (De 5:27; 1Sa 3:10)34Da tat Petrus den Mund auf und sprach: Nun erfahre ich in Wahrheit, dass Gott die Person nicht ansieht, (De 10:17; 1Sa 16:7; Ro 2:11; Ga 2:6)35sondern dass in jedem Volk derjenige ihm angenehm ist, der ihn fürchtet und Gerechtigkeit übt! (Ps 147:11; Ec 12:14; Ro 10:12)36Das Wort, das er den Kindern Israels gesandt hat, indem er Frieden verkünden ließ durch Jesus Christus — welcher Herr über alle ist —, (Isa 52:7; Lu 1:79; Joh 13:13; Ac 2:36; Eph 1:20; Eph 2:17; Re 17:14)37ihr kennt es; das Zeugnis, das sich durch ganz Judäa verbreitet hat und in Galiläa anfing nach der Taufe, die Johannes verkündigte: (Ac 13:23)38wie Gott Jesus von Nazareth mit Heiligem Geist und Kraft gesalbt hat, und wie dieser umherzog und Gutes tat und alle heilte, die vom Teufel überwältigt waren; denn Gott war mit ihm. (Isa 61:1; Mt 9:35; Joh 3:2; Joh 4:34; Joh 10:38; Ac 2:22; 1Jo 3:8)39Und wir sind Zeugen alles dessen, was er im Land der Juden und in Jerusalem getan hat. Ihn haben sie getötet, indem sie ihn ans Holz[2] hängten. (Ac 1:8; Ac 2:32; Ac 3:15; Ac 5:32; Ga 3:13)40Diesen hat Gott auferweckt am dritten Tag und hat ihn offenbar werden lassen, (Ac 3:15)41nicht dem ganzen Volk, sondern uns, den von Gott vorher erwählten Zeugen, die wir mit ihm gegessen und getrunken haben nach seiner Auferstehung aus den Toten. (Mt 23:39; Joh 14:19; Joh 14:22; Joh 21:13)42Und er hat uns geboten, dem Volk zu verkündigen und zu bezeugen, dass Er der von Gott bestimmte Richter der Lebendigen und der Toten ist. (Mr 16:15; Joh 5:22; Joh 5:27; Ac 17:31; 2Ti 4:1)43Von diesem legen alle Propheten Zeugnis ab, dass jeder, der an ihn glaubt, durch seinen Namen Vergebung der Sünden empfängt. (Isa 49:6; Isa 53:11; Zec 13:1)44Während Petrus noch diese Worte redete, fiel der Heilige Geist auf alle, die das Wort hörten. (Ac 11:15)45Und alle Gläubigen aus der Beschneidung[3], die mit Petrus gekommen waren, gerieten außer sich vor Staunen, dass die Gabe des Heiligen Geistes auch über die Heiden ausgegossen wurde. (Ac 2:4; Ac 15:8)46Denn sie hörten sie in Sprachen reden und Gott hochpreisen. Da ergriff Petrus das Wort: (Lu 5:26; Ac 2:4; Ac 13:48; Ac 19:6)47Kann auch jemand diesen das Wasser verwehren, dass sie nicht getauft werden sollten, die den Heiligen Geist empfangen haben gleichwie wir? (Ac 8:12; Ac 8:36; Ac 15:8)48Und er befahl, dass sie getauft würden im Namen des Herrn. Da baten sie ihn, etliche Tage zu bleiben. (Joh 4:40)