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This morning we are continuing through the book of Acts, the story of the early church. Remember that the resurrected Jesus has told the disciples that they will be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. They have been given the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, and the church in Jerusalem grew like crazy. But after experiencing severe persecution, the church has been scattered around the region. Last week, Saul, one of the biggest persecutors of the church, was converted, and would become known as Paul. In the rest of chapter 9, we read about Peter and his ministry preaching the gospel and healing people. By the end of chapter 9, he is staying in Joppa with a man named Simon, and another milestone in the history of God’s work in this world is about to happen, as the first Gentiles, or non-Jewish people, come to faith in Jesus.

Acts 10:1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.

Centurion means that he was over 100 men in the army.

 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.  3 One 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!"  4 Cornelius 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.  5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.  6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea."  7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants.  8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.  9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.  10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.  11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.  12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air.  13 Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."  14 "Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."  15 The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."  16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.