There was a certain man in Cæsarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. . . . Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: . . . And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. . . . Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 

Mention of Cornelius’ prayers and alms as a “memorial” frames these offerings in sacrificial terms (see, for instance, Leviticus 2:2). Cornelius’ angel visitant confirms that God has received and acknowledged them.

Having experienced a corresponding vision (see vv. 9–16), Peter now comprehends that God’s acceptance of believers reaches beyond those of Jewish heritage. His words to Cornelius eloquently express his humble willingness to embrace and act on this radical departure from Hebrew doctrine. Later, Paul repeats Peter’s assertion in his letter to the Romans: “Glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: for there is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:10, 11).