Cornelius is a Roman centurion living in Caesarea. Acts describes him as devout, generous to the poor, and someone who prays regularly to God.

In a vision an angel tells Cornelius that his prayers and gifts have been remembered and instructs him to send for Simon Peter in Joppa.

The next day Peter is praying on a rooftop when he receives his own vision. He sees a large sheet containing animals and hears a command to kill and eat.

Peter objects that he has never eaten anything impure. The voice tells him not to call impure what God has made clean. The vision occurs three times.

While Peter is still puzzling over its meaning, Cornelius’s messengers arrive. The Spirit tells Peter to go with them without hesitation.

Peter enters Cornelius’s house and finds relatives and close friends gathered. He explicitly acknowledges that his understanding has changed: he should not call any person impure or unclean.

Peter tells the story of Jesus’ ministry, death, resurrection, and the forgiveness offered through him.

Before Peter finishes speaking, the Holy Spirit comes upon those listening. The Jewish believers accompanying Peter are astonished that the gift of the Spirit has been poured out on Gentiles.

Peter asks whether anyone can withhold water for baptism from people who have received the Holy Spirit just as they have.

When questioned later in Jerusalem, Peter retells the entire sequence. The believers conclude by glorifying God for granting repentance leading to life to the Gentiles as well.