Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year B)
First Reading - Acts 10.24-29a, 34b-48a
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles. Two days after Peter’s vision, Peter, and the believers travelling with him, arrived at the house of the centurion Cornelius. Cornelius was expecting them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter arrived, Cornelius knelt down to greet him. But Peter helped him up, saying, ‘Stand up; I am only human, like you.’ When Peter went inside, he saw the gathering that Cornelius had assembled. And Peter addressed them, saying, ‘You know that it is against our law for us, as Hebrews, to associate with Gentiles. But God has shown me that I should not regard anyone as profane, or unclean. So when I was invited here, I accepted, without hesitation. For now I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but welcomes those, from every nation, who honour God, and do what is right. This gospel of peace was sent to the people of Israel in Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. The message has spread through all Judea. It began in Galilee, with the preaching of John the Baptist. Then Jesus of Nazareth was anointed, by God, with the Holy Spirit, and with power. He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We ourselves are witnesses to all that he did, in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death on a cross. But God raised him up, on the third day, and allowed him to appear, not to all the people, but to those of us chosen by God as witnesses. Indeed we ate and drank with him, after he rose from the dead. And he commissioned us to continue the proclamation of the gospel, and to testify that he is the one, ordained by God, to be judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets declare that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness, through his name.’ While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were gathered.The Hebrew believers, who had travelled with Peter,
were amazed to see
that the gift of the Holy Spirit
was now being poured out
on the Gentiles,
for they heard them
speaking in many languages
and praising the greatness of God.
Peter said, ‘Surely no one
can withhold the water
for baptising everyone here,
for they have received the Holy Spirit,
just as we have.’
And he ordered that they should be baptised
in the name of Jesus Christ.
This is the word of the Lord.