The Spirit Descends Upon the Gentiles

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The three men who sought Peter were messengers from Cornelius, a Roman Centurion of Cæsarea. Cornelius, a good and high-hearted man, had long prayed to God in ignorance, till at length an angel had come to him, revealing that this Peter, who was to be found in Joppa, would teach him all he desired to know of God. Hence,Cornelius sent the messengers; and Peter by divine command went with them to Cæsarea. where the Centurion had gathered all his friends to listen to the promised revelation.

‎When Peter came, Cornelius would have worshipped him; but Peter checked him: “Stand up; I myself also am a man.” And now the meaning of his own vision became clear to Peter. The Jews had always despised other races as being “unclean”; yet since God had commanded Peter to come to these men, they could not be unclean; they also were “chosen of God.” At once the marvel of the future spread itself before the Apostle; he understood all the Faith would mean to the world. He taught these men and prayed with them; and as they prayed the Spirit descended upon Cornelius and his friends with the “gift of tongues,” even as it had descended upon the Apostles at the Pentecost.