Mr. David Tipton reads the Common English Bible version of Acts 10:1-5 & 9-23 during the worship service at Trinity United Methodist Church in Big Stone Gap, Virginia.

Acts 10:1-5 & 9-23 Common English Bible

1There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion in the Italian company. 2He and his whole household were pious, Gentile God-worshippers. He gave generously to those in need among the Jewish people and prayed to God constantly. 3One day at nearly three o'clock in the afternoon, he clearly saw an angel from God in a vision. The angel came to him and said, "Cornelius!" 4Startled, he stared at the angel and replied, "What is it, Lord?" The angel said, "Your prayers and your compassionate acts are like a memorial offering to God. 5Send messengers to Joppa at one an sumon a certain Simon, the one known as Peter.

9At noon on the following day, as their journey brought them close to the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted to eat. While others were preparing the meal, he had a visionary experience. 11He saw heaven open up and something like a large linen sheet being lowered to the earth by its four corners. 12Inside the sheet were all kinds of four-legged animals, reptiles, and wild birds. 13A voice told him,"Get up, Peter! Kill and eat!" 14Peter exclaimed, "Absolutely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." 15The voice spoke a second time, "Never consider unclean what God has made pure." 16 This happened three times, then the object was sudden pulled back into heaven.

17Peter was bewildered about the meaning of the vision. Jusst then, the messengers sent by Cornelius discovered the whereabouts of Simon's house and arrived at the gate. 18 Calling out, they inquired whether the Simon known as Peter was a guest there. 19While Peter was brooding over the vision, the Spirit interrupted him, "Look! Three people are looking for you. 20Go downstairs. Don't ask questions; just go with them because I have sent them."
21So Peter went downstairs and told them, "I'm the one you are looking for. Why hae you come?" 22They replied, "We've come on behalf of Cornelius, a centurion and righteous man, a God-worshipper who is well-respected by all Jewish people. A holy angel directed him to summon you to his house to hear what you have to say." 23Peter invited them into the house as his guests. The next day he got up and went with them, together with some of the believers from Joppa.