Acts Chapter 10
Showing all 48 verses for Acts Chapter 10.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, "
"In the Roman city of Caesarea there lived a man called Cornelius. He was an army officer — a centurion — in charge of a hundred soldiers in a unit known as the Italian Regiment."
I don't wait for people to look right before I reach them. Rank, uniform and nationality mean nothing to me — I go looking for an honest heart wherever it lives.
"A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. "
"Cornelius was a sincere, God-honouring man, and so was his whole household. He gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly."
Quiet generosity and honest prayer, done consistently when no one's applauding, are never wasted on me. I see what you do when you think nobody important is watching.
"He 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. "
"One afternoon, at about three o'clock, Cornelius clearly saw an angel of God come to him in a vision and say his name: 'Cornelius.'"
You don't have to already belong to hear from me. I come looking for people in the middle of their ordinary day — you don't need the right credentials first.
"And 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. "
"Cornelius stared at the angel, terrified, and asked, 'What is it, sir?' The angel replied, 'Your prayers and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God, like an offering rising up to him.'"
Nothing kind you've done quietly is lost to me — it's kept, it's counted, and it changes what happens next in your life, even if you can't yet see the connection.
"And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: "
"'Now send some men to the town of Joppa,' the angel said, 'and ask for a man named Simon, also known as Peter.'"
I usually work through people, not around them. Be willing to be sent to someone, and be willing to be the someone others are sent to.
"He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. "
"'He's staying with a man named Simon, a leather-tanner, whose house is by the sea. He'll tell you what you need to do.'"
Notice where I already have you living, even before you realise it's preparing you for something bigger. The unglamorous places you're in aren't wasted time.
"And 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; "
"As soon as the angel had gone, Cornelius called two of his household servants and one of his personal soldiers, a devout man who served him closely."
Who you surround yourself with reveals what you actually value. Build a circle of people whose character you'd trust with something important.
"And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa. "
"He explained everything that had happened to them, and then sent them off to Joppa."
Be honest with the people you're sending to do something important. Clarity and trust go together.
"On 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: "
"The next day, while the men were still travelling and getting close to Joppa, Peter went up onto the flat roof of the house to pray, at around midday."
I tend to show up in your ordinary routines, not just your dramatic moments. Keep the regular habits of quiet and prayer — that's often exactly where I meet you.
"And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, "
"He grew hungry and wanted something to eat. While the food was being prepared, he fell into a trance."
I don't need you to be in a special spiritual mood to speak to you. Stay open even in the ordinary, hungry, waiting moments of your day.
"And 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: "
"He saw the sky open up, and something like a large sheet being lowered to the ground by its four corners."
When something unsettling or strange breaks into your ordinary life, don't dismiss it too quickly — pay attention to what it might be asking of you.
"Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. "
"Inside the sheet were all sorts of animals — four-footed creatures, wild animals, reptiles, and birds."
The categories you've been taught to sort people or things into aren't always mine. Be willing to have your assumptions rearranged.
"And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. "
"Then a voice said to him, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.'"
Sometimes I ask you to do the thing your upbringing says is off-limits, because the real lesson underneath isn't about the rule itself.
"But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. "
"But Peter replied, 'No, absolutely not, Lord — I have never eaten anything impure or forbidden.'"
It's alright to wrestle honestly with me rather than pretend easy agreement. I'd rather have your honest resistance than a hollow yes.
"And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. "
"The voice spoke to him again, a second time: 'Do not call something impure if God has made it clean.'"
Don't hold onto old labels — 'not good enough', 'not my kind', 'unworthy' — once I've already called someone or something clean. Let go of the boundary before I have to say it to you twice.
"This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. "
"This happened three times, and then the sheet was pulled back up into the sky."
When I need to get through to you, I'm patient enough to repeat myself until it sinks in. Don't assume one nudge is the last you'll get, but don't wait for three either.
"Now 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, "
"While Peter was puzzling over what the vision could mean, the men sent by Cornelius had found Simon's house and were standing at the gate."
You won't always understand my timing the moment it happens. Trust that the pieces are lining up even while you're still confused.
"And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. "
"They called out, asking whether Simon, known as Peter, was staying there."
Faith isn't only dramatic visions — it's also ordinary footsteps and knocking on doors. Both matter.
"While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. "
"While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit told him, 'Look — three men are looking for you.'"
When you're wrestling with something I've shown you, keep listening — clarity often comes as the next practical step, not as a full explanation all at once.
"Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. "
"'Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without any hesitation, because I have sent them.'"
When I've clearly opened a door, don't stand there second-guessing it. Walk through it, even if it crosses lines you've never crossed before.
"Then 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? "
"Peter went down to the men and said, 'I'm the one you're looking for. What's brought you here?'"
Meet people where they stand, plainly and without pretence. Ask what they need rather than assuming you already know.
"And 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. "
"They replied, 'Cornelius, a centurion — an honest man who honours God and is well respected among the Jewish people — was told by a holy angel to send for you, to come to his house and hear what you have to say.'"
A good reputation, earned honestly over time, opens doors that arguments never could. Let your character speak before your words do.
"Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. "
"So Peter invited them in and let them stay the night. The next day he set out with them, along with some believers from Joppa who went too."
Take honest witnesses with you when you're stepping into something significant or controversial — accountability protects both you and the truth of what happened.
"And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. "
"The following day they arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had gathered his relatives and close friends together."
When you find something worth having, don't keep it to yourself — bring the people you love into the room with you.
"And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. "
"As Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and bowed down to him in reverence."
Admire people, learn from them, be grateful for them — but don't put anyone on a pedestal that only belongs to something greater than any one person.
"But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. "
"But Peter pulled him up, saying, 'Stand up — I'm only a man myself.'"
Real humility corrects misplaced admiration the moment it appears, rather than quietly enjoying it. Point people beyond yourself.
"And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. "
"Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large group of people already gathered."
Big, honest gatherings around truth are worth the effort — don't shy away from sharing something important just because a crowd is watching.
"And 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. "
"Peter said to them, 'You know it's against Jewish custom for a Jew to associate with or visit someone of another nation. But God has shown me that I shouldn't call anyone impure or unclean.'"
Be willing to say out loud when you've changed your mind about who deserves your respect. Naming your own old prejudice honestly is part of actually letting it go.
"Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? "
"'So when I was sent for, I came without any objection. Now I'd like to know — why did you send for me?'"
Before you speak into someone's life, ask what they actually need. Listening first shows real respect, not just good manners.
"And 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, "
"Cornelius answered, 'Four days ago I was fasting, and at three o'clock in the afternoon, while I was praying at home, a man in shining clothes suddenly stood in front of me.'"
Tell your own story honestly when it can help someone else believe or understand. Your account, told plainly, carries real weight.
"And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. "
"'He said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been remembered by God.'"
Consistency between what you say you value and how you actually live is what gets noticed in the end, not grand gestures.
"Send 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. "
"'So send to Joppa and call for Simon, known as Peter. He's staying in the house of Simon the tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he'll speak to you.'"
You don't need to understand everything before you obey the next clear step. Trust builds through faithful small actions, not full explanations upfront.
"Immediately 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. "
"'So I sent for you straight away, and it was good of you to come. Now we're all here, in God's presence, ready to hear everything you've been told to tell us.'"
Come to important conversations the way this household did — genuinely open, without already deciding what you want to hear.
"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: "
"Then Peter began to speak: 'I now truly understand that God does not show favouritism.'"
If I don't rank people by background, status or nationality, then neither should you. Check where you're quietly giving some people more worth than others, and let it go.
"But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. "
"'Rather, in every nation, anyone who honours him and does what is right is acceptable to him.'"
Judge people by the honesty of their character and effort to live rightly, not by where they come from or what group they belong to.
"The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) "
"'This is the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing peace through Jesus Christ — who is Lord of everyone.'"
Real peace isn't tribal — it isn't only for people who look, worship or live like you. Offer it as widely as it was offered to you.
"That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; "
"'You know the message that spread through Judea, starting in Galilee after John preached about baptism.'"
Truth doesn't need to stay hidden to be real — genuine events leave a public trail that honest people can check for themselves.
"How 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. "
"'God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went around doing good and healing everyone oppressed by evil, because God was with him.'"
Judge a life, including your own, by whether it actively relieves suffering and does good, not by how impressive it looks or sounds.
"And 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: "
"'We ourselves saw everything he did, both in Judea and in Jerusalem — and yet they killed him, hanging him on a cross.'"
Don't shy away from naming injustice plainly, even when it's uncomfortable. Honest acknowledgement of wrong is the starting point for real hope, not an obstacle to it.
"Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; "
"'But God raised him up on the third day and let him be seen openly.'"
Whatever feels finally defeated in your life isn't necessarily the end of the story. New beginnings can follow even the worst outcomes.
"Not 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. "
"'Not to everyone, but to witnesses God had already chosen — us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.'"
The people closest to an experience often carry the responsibility of telling it honestly to others who weren't there. Being trusted with a story is also a responsibility.
"And 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 and dead. "
💡 Highlighted words feature Jacobean 1611 tooltips to clarify shifted 17th-century English terms.
"'He commanded us to preach to the people and to declare that he is the one appointed by God to judge everyone, living and dead.'"
Live as though your choices genuinely matter and will one day be weighed fairly — not out of fear, but because it gives real weight and meaning to how you treat people.
"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. "
"'All the prophets testify about him — that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.'"
You are never too far gone, too late, or too outside the circle to be forgiven and start again. That offer includes you specifically, not just people who look like they've already got it together.
"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. "
"While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came down on everyone listening."
You don't have to complete every checklist or ritual perfectly before I meet you. Sometimes I arrive in the middle of the process, before you've finished getting ready.
"And 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. "
"The Jewish believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on Gentiles too."
Let yourself be genuinely surprised when I show up somewhere you didn't expect. Surprise is often the first sign your assumptions are being stretched for the better.
"For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, "
"They heard them speaking in other languages and praising God. Then Peter spoke up."
Look for the evidence in front of you rather than clinging to an old rule when reality has clearly moved on. Let what you actually witness change your mind.
"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? "
"'Can anyone object to these people being baptised with water, since they've received the Holy Spirit just as we did?'"
Don't let rules or process become an obstacle to welcoming someone I've already accepted. Ask honestly whether your objection is really about them, or just about your own comfort with change.
"And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. "
"So he gave orders for them to be baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they asked him to stay with them for a few more days."
When you welcome someone in, follow through — stay, teach, build the relationship rather than treating the moment of acceptance as the finish line.