35. He accepts anyone who worships him and does what is right. It is not important what nation they come from.
36. God has spoken to the people of Israel. He sent them the Good News that peace has come through Jesus Christ, the Lord of all people.
37. “You know what has happened all over Judea. It began in Galilee after John told the people they needed to be baptized.
38. You know about Jesus from Nazareth. God made him the Messiah by giving him the Holy Spirit and power. Jesus went everywhere doing good for people. He healed those who were ruled by the devil, showing that God was with him.
39. “We saw all that Jesus did in Judea and in Jerusalem. But he was killed. They put him on a cross made of wood.
40. But on the third day after his death, God raised him to life and let him be seen openly.
41. He was not seen by everyone, but only by us, the ones God had already chosen to be witnesses. We ate and drank with him after he was raised from death.
42. “Jesus told us to go and speak to the people. He told us to tell them that he is the one God chose to be the Judge of all who are living and all who have died.
43. Everyone who believes in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name. All the prophets agree that this is true.”
44. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who were listening to his speech.
45. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the Holy Spirit had been poured out as a gift also to people who were not Jews.
46. They heard them speaking different languages and praising God. Then Peter said,
47. “How can anyone object to these people being baptized in water? They have received the Holy Spirit the same as we did!”
48. So Peter told them to baptize Cornelius and his relatives and friends in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.