A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Peter entered the house of Cornelius, who met him, dropped to his knees and bowed low.  Peter said as he helped Cornelius to his feet, “Get up!  I am just a human like yourself!”

Peter then addressed Cornelius and the people assembled in the house in these words: “I begin to see how true it is that God shows no partiality, but rather, that any person of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to God.”

Peter had not finished speaking these words when the Holy Spirit descended upon all who were listening to the message.  The Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter were surprised that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also, whom they could hear speaking in tongues and glorifying God.  Then Peter asked: “What can stop these people who have received the Holy Spirit, even as we have, from being baptized with water?”  So he gave
orders that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.  After this was done, they asked him to stay on with them for a few days.

The Word of God recorded in the Acts of the Apostles.

R: Our God has made salvation known, has shown justice to the nations.

Sing a new song to Our God,

who has done wonderful deeds,

Whose right hand and whose holy arm

have brought salvation.

R: Our God has made salvation known, has shown justice to the nations.

Our God has made salvation known,

has shown justice to the nations,

And has remembered the house of Israel

in faithfulness and love.

R: Our God has made salvation known, has shown justice to the nations.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the saving power of Our God.

Sing praise to Our God all the earth,

ring out your joy.

R: Our God has made salvation known, has shown justice to the nations.