Bible Story of Peter and Cornelius - Bible Stories for Kids

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Bible Story of Peter and Cornelius

Acts 10:1-16

The Good News about Jesus wasspreading. Many people chose not toEsten. Many risked their very lives andbelieved. The time had come, though,for more people than just the Jews tohear the Good News.

Many times in Jewish history, Godhad spoken through His prophets. Hehad said how there would come fromthe Jewish people a Light. This wasJesus. The Light would save theworld. Even Jesus had said Histeaching was at first for the Jews.Later it would be for people from allover the world. This was one of thereasons why the religious leaders hadhated Him so much. They liked beingGod's only chosen people. Now thetime had come for all that to change.God made this clear through two men,Peter and a man named Cornelius.Cornelius was not a Jew. He was aRoman centurion, or army officer. Hewas in charge of over one hundredRoman soldiers. Even so, he and hiswhole family believed in the one God.Cornelius was a man of prayer. Heoften gave his money to the poor.

One afternoon Cornelius waspraying. He had a vision. He saw anangel who called out, "Cornelius!"

"What is it, Lord?" he stared at theangel. He felt afraid.

"God has heard your prayers. He ispleased with all your gifts to the poor.He is ready to answer you. Now send

some of your men to Joppa. Tell themto find a man named Peter. He isliving by the sea in the house of Simonthe tanner." Cornelius did as the angelsaid. He sent three of his men.

As these men were heading forJoppa, a strange thing happened toPeter. He was sitting on the roof of thehouse by the sea. He had gone upthere to pray while waiting for hisdinner. Then Peter had a vision, too!

Peter saw the sky open up. A greatsheet was lowered down. Inside wereall kinds of animals and birds. A Voicetold him, "Get up, Peter. It's all right ifyou eat these animals!"

Peter said, "Oh no, Lord, we're notallowed to eat these things. I've nevereaten food which is unclean by ourLaw."

Then for a second and third time,the Voice told him, "Don't callanything unclean that God has madeclean." Then the sheet was lifted backinto the sky.

When Peter woke up from his strangevision, he was very confused. "Whatdoes it mean?" he wondered. ThenGod's Holy Spirit told Peter, "Get upnow and go downstairs. Three menare looking for you. Don't worry, Ihave sent them."

Peter went downstairs. He heardfrom the three men how an angel hadtold Cornelius to send for Peter. So thenext day he set out. Peter traveled withsome other believers from Joppa.Peter arrived at the house. Corneliusfell at his feet and bowed down beforePeter. All his friends and family werethere. They heard Peter say, "Pleaseget up. I'm just a man like yourself."Peter took a good look around theroom. It was full of men, women andchildren. Most of them were not Jews.He said, "You know yourselves thatit's against Jewish Law for me to visityou. Yet God has shown me that Heloves everybody, no matter if they're aJew or not. That's why I'm here. Now.why did you send for me?"

Cornelius said, "I'm so glad you'vecome to my house. I had a vision thatwe should send for you. God hassomething to tell us through you. DidHe give you a message?" He told Peterwhat the angel had said to him duringthe vision. Peter nodded.

"Yes, He did. Listen, God treatseveryone the same. There is nodifference. He welcomes everyone

who believes in Him. I see that now."Suddenly, while Peter explainedthis, the Holy Spirit swept though theroom. He came upon everyone whowas listening. They all began speakingin tongues and praising God!

The Jewish believers Peter hadbrought with him were surprised.They had never seen the Holy Spiritcome upon non-Jews.

News of what had happened quickly reached the other apostles. Non-Jews,or Gentiles, had received the word ofGod! Some of the apostles were notvery happy about it. They thoughtPeter had broken Jewish Law formixing with non-Jews. The time hadcome for the whole world to becomeGod's family. As soon as Peter cameback to Jerusalem, they questionedhim.

"You broke the Law," the apostlessaid. "You stayed at the home ofGentiles. You even ate with them!"Peter explained exactly what hadhappened. He told them about hisvision and the angel who had visitedCornelius.

When the other apostles heard this,they stopped grumbling and praisedGod. "This means that God has giveneveryone the chance to turn to Himand start new lives in Jesus."

It was at this time that the believerswere first called "Christians." It meant"belonging to Christ."

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