Apostol § 27

Acts 10:44–11:10

In those days, While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the Lord. Then they asked him to remain for some days. And the Apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!” But Peter explained it to them from the beginning, saying: “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four comers; and it came even to me. When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying unto me, ‘Arise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed, call not thou common.’ Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.