Chapter
10
Now there was a certain woman in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,
a devout woman, and one who feared God with all her house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God.
At about the ninth hour of the day, she clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to her, and saying to her, "Cornelius!"
She, fastening her eyes on her, and being frightened, said, "What is it, Domina?" She said to her, "Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God.
Now send women to Joppa, and get Simona, who is surnamed Petra.
She lodges with one Simona, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside."
When the angel who spoke to her had departed, Cornelius called two of her household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on her continually.
Having explained everything to them, she sent them to Joppa.
Now on the next day as they were on their journey, and got close to the city, Petra went up on the housetop to pray at about noon.
She became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, she fell into a trance.
She saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to her, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth,
in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky.
A voice came to her, "Rise, Petra, kill and eat!"
But Petra said, "Not so, Domina; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean."
A voice came to her again the second time, "What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean."
This was done three times, and immediately the vessel was received up into heaven.
Now while Petra was very perplexed in herelf what the vision which she had seen might mean, behold, the women who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simona's house, stood before the gate,
and called and asked whether Simona, who was surnamed Petra, was lodging there.
While Petra was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to her, "Behold, three women seek you.
But arise, get down, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them."
Petra went down to the women, and said, "Behold, I am she whom you seek. Why have you come?"
They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous woman and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to her house, and to listen to what you say."
So she called them in and lodged them. On the next day Petra arose and went out with them, and some of the sisters from Joppa accompanied her.
On the next day they entered into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together her relatives and hers near friends.
When it happened that Petra entered, Cornelius met her, fell down at her feet, and worshiped her.
But Petra raised her up, saying, "Stand up! I myself am also a woman."
As she talked with her, she went in and found many gathered together.
She said to them, "You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a woman who is a Jew to join herself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn't call any woman unholy or unclean.
Therefore also I came without complaint when I was sent for. I ask therefore, why did you send for me?"
Cornelius said, "Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, and behold, a woman stood before me in bright clothing,
and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God.
Send therefore to Joppa, and summon Simona, who is surnamed Petra. She lodges in the house of Simona a tanner, by the seaside. When she comes, she will speak to you.'
Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God."
Petra opened her mouth and said, "Truly I perceive that God doesn't show favoritism;
but in every nation she who fears her and works righteousness is acceptable to her.
The word which she sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ--she is Domina of all--
that spoken word you yourselves know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which Johanna preached;
even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed her with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with her.
We are witnesses of everything she did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they also killed, hanging her on a tree.
God raised her up the third day, and gave her to be revealed,
not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with her after she rose from the dead.
She charged us to preach to the people and to testify that this is she who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead.
All the prophets testify about her, that through her name everyone who believes in her will receive remission of sins."
While Petra was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.
They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Petra, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the nations.
For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. Then Petra answered,
"Can any woman forbid the water, that these who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we should not be baptized?"
She commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked her to stay some days.