Peter and Cornelius
"God does not show favoritism"
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Story
What happened?
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The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
An angel told Cornelius, a Roman centurion who prayed to God, to send for Peter. Meanwhile, Peter saw a vision of a sheet full of unclean animals and heard, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." Peter went to Cornelius's house, said, "God does not show favoritism," and told them about Jesus, and while he was speaking, the Holy Spirit came on everyone listening, and they were baptized.
Where it is in the Bible: Acts 10
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Cornelius: A Roman army officer, a centurion, who believes in God and prays. He is not Jewish.
- Peter: One of Jesus's first disciples, now a leader of the church.
- An angel: A messenger from God.
- Cornelius's family and friends: People gathered in his house to listen.
- Believers from Joppa: Jewish Christians who travel with Peter.
Setting
- Caesarea, a Roman city on the coast, and Joppa, a seaside town about thirty miles south.
When
- A few years after Jesus rose from the dead and went up to heaven.
Before the Story
Jesus told his followers to go to all nations. "You will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (1:8).
So far, the church was mostly Jewish. The good news had spread from Jerusalem to Samaria (8:5).
Jewish people kept apart from non-Jews. They followed God's laws about clean and unclean foods. Many would not eat with or visit a non-Jew's home.
Here's what you know that Peter doesn't: God is about to open the door wide.
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. An angel visits Cornelius | 10:1-8 | God tells Cornelius to send for Peter |
| 2. A sheet from heaven | 10:9-16 | Peter sees a strange vision |
| 3. Three men at the gate | 10:17-23 | The Spirit tells Peter to go with them |
| 4. "I am only a man" | 10:24-33 | Peter enters a non-Jewish home |
| 5. No favoritism | 10:34-43 | Peter tells them about Jesus |
| 6. The Spirit falls | 10:44-48 | The Holy Spirit comes, and they are baptized |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 6An Angel Visits Cornelius
In Caesarea lived a man named Cornelius, a Roman centurion.
He and his whole household worshiped God. He gave generously to the poor and prayed to God regularly.
One afternoon, he saw an angel in a vision. "Cornelius!" the angel said (10:3).
Cornelius stared at him in fear. The angel said his prayers and gifts had been noticed by God.
The angel told him to send for a man named Simon Peter, staying in Joppa. So Cornelius sent two servants and a soldier.
Scene 2 of 6A Sheet From Heaven
The next day, about noon, Peter went up on the flat roof of the house to pray. He got hungry.
Then he had a vision. Heaven opened, and something like a big sheet came down, held by its four corners.
It was full of all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds. Many were animals God's law called unclean.
A voice said, "Get up, Peter, kill and eat!" (10:13).
"No, Lord!" Peter answered. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean" (10:14).
"Do not call anything impure that God has made clean" (10:15).
This happened three times. Then the sheet went back up to heaven.
Scene 3 of 6Three Men at the Gate
While Peter was puzzling over the vision, Cornelius's men arrived at the gate.
The Spirit said to Peter, "Three men are looking for you. Go with them without hesitation, because I have sent them."
So Peter invited them in as guests. The next day, he went with them.
Scene 4 of 6"I Am Only a Man"
Cornelius had gathered his relatives and close friends. When Peter arrived, Cornelius fell at his feet.
"Stand up," Peter said, "I am only a man myself" (10:26).
Peter went in and found many people. He said, "You know it's against our law for a Jew to visit someone from another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean" (10:28).
Now Peter understood the vision. It wasn't only about food. It was about people.
Cornelius told Peter about the angel. "Now then, we are all here in the presence of God to listen" (10:33).
Scene 5 of 6No Favoritism
Peter began to speak. "I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right" (10:34-35).
He told them about Jesus, who is "Lord of all" (10:36).
God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power. Jesus went around doing good and healing.
They put him to death on a cross, but "God raised Him up on the third day" (10:40).
"Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name" (10:43).
Scene 6 of 6The Spirit Falls
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came on everyone listening.
The Jewish believers with Peter were astonished. God had given the Holy Spirit to non-Jews too!
They heard them praising God in other languages.
Peter said, "Can anyone withhold the water to baptize these people? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have!" (10:47).
So they were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended" (10:4) | God noticed Cornelius, an outsider. |
| "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean" (10:15) | God was changing the rules about who belongs. |
| "I am only a man myself" (10:26) | Peter wouldn't let anyone worship him. |
| "God does not show favoritism" (10:34) | God welcomes people from every nation. |
| "Lord of all" (10:36) | Jesus is Lord of every people, not just one. |
| "Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness" (10:43) | Forgiveness is for everyone who trusts Jesus. |
| "Can anyone withhold the water" (10:47) | Nothing should keep them from being baptized. |
Back Then
Caesarea was the Roman capital of Judea. It was a big, mostly non-Jewish city built by Herod the Great.
God's food laws are in Leviticus 11. They set Israel apart from other nations.
Peter told this story to the church in Jerusalem. At first, some criticized him for eating with non-Jews. When he explained, they praised God (11:1-18).
Literal Reader Alert
Was Cornelius already saved, since he prayed? He believed in God and prayed. But he needed to hear about Jesus, and God sent Peter to tell him. The angel didn't preach. God sent a person with the message.
Do Christians have to follow the food laws? This vision showed that the food laws no longer divided God's people. Christians may eat any food (Mark 7:19).
What does "speaking in tongues" mean here? They praised God in languages they hadn't learned, like on the day of Pentecost (2:4). It showed the Spirit had really come.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cornelius | Afraid | An angel appeared to him (10:4) |
| Peter | Confused | He didn't understand the vision (10:17) |
| Cornelius | Eager | He gathered everyone to listen (10:24, 10:33) |
| The Jewish believers | Astounded | The Spirit came to non-Jews (10:45) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What does this story say to you? Tap one.
I feel like an outsider
God sent Peter to an outsider's house. He welcomes you.
I judge people
Peter had to learn not to call anyone unclean.
Who should hear
Who could you tell about Jesus?
Forgiveness
"Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness." Everyone.
You Might Have Heard
"Christianity is for certain kinds of people."
What's true: God chose Israel and worked through one people to bless the world.
What the story is mainly about: Through Jesus, the door opened wide. "God does not show favoritism" (10:34). Jesus is Lord of all, and the Holy Spirit came to people from every nation.
Where Jesus is: Peter preached that Jesus is Lord of all, died, and rose. Through his name, everyone who believes is forgiven.
Good News
A Roman soldier and his family, outsiders, heard the good news. The Holy Spirit came on them, and they were baptized.
"I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism" (10:34).
Jesus is Lord of all. His forgiveness is for every nation, every family, and you.
God showed Peter that no one is outside his welcome. Jesus is Lord of all, and the Holy Spirit came to people of every nation.
Big Idea
God sent Peter to the home of Cornelius, a Roman soldier. Peter learned that God shows no favoritism, and the Holy Spirit came on people of every nation.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther pointed to this story to show that the Holy Spirit comes through the preached word. While Peter was speaking, the Spirit fell on those who heard.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Acts 10:34-43 on Easter Day in all three years and on the Baptism of Our Lord in Year A. In Year B, it reads Acts 10:44-48 on the Sixth Sunday of Easter.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Baptism of Our Lord Year ASecond reading, Acts 10:34–43
- Easter Day: The Resurrection of Our Lord Year AFirst reading, Acts 10:34–43 or Jeremiah 31:1–6
- Easter Day: The Resurrection of Our Lord Year BFirst reading, Acts 10:34–43 or Isaiah 25:6–9
- Sixth Sunday of Easter Year BFirst reading, Acts 10:44–48
- Easter Day: The Resurrection of Our Lord Year CFirst reading, Acts 10:34–43 or Isaiah 65:17–25
- Fifth Sunday of Easter Year CFirst reading, Acts 11:1–18
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Peter and Cornelius, explained in plain words. A vision of a sheet full of animals sends Peter to a Roman soldier's house. About 10 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/peter-and-cornelius/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church