Kornelio Amwita Petro
110:1 Mdo 8:40Katika mji wa Kaisaria palikuwa na mtu jina lake Kornelio, ambaye alikuwa jemadari wa kile kilichojulikana kama kikosi cha Kiitalia. 210:2 Mdo 13:16-26Yeye alikuwa mcha Mungu pamoja na wote wa nyumbani mwake. Aliwapa watu sadaka nyingi na kumwomba Mungu daima. 310:3 Mdo 3:1; 9:10; 5:19Siku moja alasiri, yapata saa tisa, aliona maono waziwazi, malaika wa Mungu akimjia na kumwambia, “Kornelio!”
410:4 Za 20:3; Mt 10:42; Ufu 8:4Kornelio akamkazia macho kwa hofu akasema, “Kuna nini, Bwana?”
Malaika akamwambia, “Sala zako na sadaka zako kwa maskini zimefika juu na kuwa ukumbusho mbele za Mungu. 510:5 Mdo 9:36Sasa tuma watu waende Yafa wakamwite mtu mmoja jina lake Simoni aitwaye Petro. 610:6 Mdo 9:43Yeye anaishi na Simoni mtengenezaji ngozi ambaye nyumba yake iko kando ya bahari.”
7Yule malaika aliyekuwa akizungumza naye alipoondoka, Kornelio akawaita watumishi wake wawili pamoja na askari mmoja mcha Mungu aliyekuwa miongoni mwa wale waliomtumikia. 810:8 Mdo 9:36Akawaambia mambo yote yaliyotukia, kisha akawatuma waende Yafa.
Maono Ya Petro
910:9 Mt 24:17; Mdo 11:5Siku ya pili yake, walipokuwa wameukaribia mji, wakati wa adhuhuri, Petro alipanda juu ya nyumba kuomba. 1010:10 Mdo 22:17Alipokuwa akiomba akahisi njaa, akatamani kupata chakula. Lakini wakati walikuwa wakiandaa chakula, akalala usingizi mzito sana. 1110:11 Mdo 11:5-17; Mt 3:16; Ufu 19:11Akaona mbingu zimefunguka na kitu kama nguo kubwa kikishushwa duniani kwa ncha zake nne. 12Ndani yake walikuwepo aina zote za wanyama wenye miguu minne, nao watambaao nchini, na ndege wa angani. 13Ndipo sauti ikamwambia “Petro, ondoka, uchinje na ule.”
1410:14 Mdo 9:5; Kum 14:3-20; Eze 4:14Petro akajibu, “La hasha Bwana! Sijawahi kamwe kula kitu chochote kilicho najisi.”
1510:15 Mwa 9:3; Tit 1:15Ile sauti ikasema naye mara ya pili, “Usikiite najisi kitu chochote Mungu alichokitakasa.”
16Jambo hili lilitokea mara tatu na ghafula ile nguo ikarudishwa mbinguni.
1710:17 Mdo 9:10; 10:7, 8Wakati Petro akiwa bado anajiuliza kuhusu maana ya maono haya, wale watu waliokuwa wametumwa na Kornelio wakaipata nyumba ya Simoni mtengenezaji wa ngozi wakawa wamesimama mbele ya lango. 18Wakabisha hodi na kuuliza kama Simoni aliyeitwa Petro alikuwa anaishi hapo.
1910:19 Mdo 8:29; 13:2; 15:28Wakati Petro akiwa anafikiria juu ya yale maono, Roho Mtakatifu akamwambia, “Simoni, wako watu watatu wanaokutafuta. 2010:20 Mdo 15:7-9Inuka na ushuke, usisite kwenda nao kwa kuwa mimi nimewatuma.”
21Petro akashuka na kuwaambia wale watu waliokuwa wametumwa kutoka kwa Kornelio, “Mimi ndiye mnayenitafuta. Mmekuja kwa sababu gani?”
2210:22 Mdo 11:14Wale watu wakamjibu, “Tumetumwa na Kornelio yule jemadari. Yeye ni mtu mwema anayemcha Mungu, na anaheshimiwa na Wayahudi wote. Yeye ameagizwa na malaika mtakatifu akukaribishe nyumbani kwake, ili asikilize maneno utakayomwambia.” 2310:23 Mdo 1:16Basi Petro akawakaribisha wakafuatana naye ndani, akawapa pa kulala. Kesho yake akaondoka pamoja nao, na baadhi ya ndugu kutoka Yafa wakafuatana naye.
Petro Nyumbani Mwa Kornelio
2410:24 Mdo 8:40Siku iliyofuata wakawasili Kaisaria. Kornelio alikuwa akiwangoja pamoja na jamaa yake na marafiki zake wa karibu. 25Petro alipokuwa akiingia ndani, Kornelio alikuja kumlaki, akaanguka miguuni pake kwa heshima. 2610:26 Ufu 19:10; 22:8-9Lakini Petro akamwinua akamwambia, “Simama, mimi ni mwanadamu tu.”
27Petro alipokuwa akizungumza naye akaingia ndani na kukuta watu wengi wamekusanyika. 2810:28 Yn 4:9; 18:28; Mdo 15:8-9Akawaambia, “Mnajua kabisa kwamba ni kinyume cha sheria yetu Myahudi kuchangamana na mtu wa Mataifa au kumtembelea. Lakini Mungu amenionyesha kwamba nisimwite mtu yeyote kuwa najisi au asiye safi. 29Ndiyo sababu ulipotuma niitwe nilikuja bila kupinga lolote. Basi sasa naomba unieleze kwa nini umeniita?”
3010:30 Mt 28:3; Mk 16:5; Lk 24:4; Yn 20:12Kornelio akajibu, “Siku nne zilizopita, nilikuwa nyumbani nikisali saa kama hii, saa tisa alasiri. Ghafula mtu aliyevaa nguo zilizongʼaa akasimama mbele yangu, 3110:31 Mdo 10:4; Dan 10:12; Ebr 6:10akasema, ‘Kornelio, maombi yako yamesikiwa na sadaka zako kwa maskini zimekumbukwa mbele za Mungu. 32Basi tuma watu waende Yafa wakaulize mtu mmoja Simoni aitwaye Petro, yeye ni mgeni katika nyumba ya Simoni mtengenezaji ngozi, ambaye nyumba yake iko kando ya bahari.’ 33Nilituma watu kwako mara moja, nawe umefanya vyema kuja. Basi sasa sisi sote tuko hapa mbele za Mungu kuyasikiliza yote ambayo Bwana amekuamuru kutuambia.”
Hotuba Ya Petro
3410:34 Ay 34:19; Mk 12:14Ndipo Petro akafungua kinywa chake akasema, “Mungu hana upendeleo, 3510:35 Mdo 15:9Lakini katika kila taifa, kila mtu amchaye na kutenda yaliyo haki hukubaliwa naye. 3610:36 Mdo 13:32; Lk 2:14; Mt 28:18Ninyi mnajua ule ujumbe uliotumwa kwa Israeli, ukitangaza habari njema za amani kwa Yesu Kristo. Yeye ni Bwana wa wote. 3710:37 Lk 4:14; Mt 4:12-17Mnajua yale yaliyotukia katika Uyahudi wote kuanzia Galilaya baada ya mahubiri ya Yohana Mbatizaji: 3810:38 Mdo 4:26; Mt 4:23; Yn 3:2Jinsi Mungu alivyomtia Yesu wa Nazareti mafuta katika Roho Mtakatifu na jinsi alivyokwenda huku na huko akitenda mema na kuponya wote waliokuwa wameonewa na nguvu za ibilisi, kwa sababu Mungu alikuwa pamoja naye.
3910:39 Lk 24:48; Mdo 5:30“Sisi ni mashahidi wa mambo yote aliyoyafanya katika Uyahudi na Yerusalemu. Wakamuua kwa kumtundika msalabani. 4010:40 Mdo 2:24Lakini Mungu alimfufua kutoka kwa wafu siku ya tatu na akamwezesha kuonekana na watu. 4110:41 Yn 14:17-22; Lk 24:43; Yn 21:13Hakuonekana kwa watu wote, lakini kwetu sisi tuliochaguliwa na Mungu kuwa mashahidi, ambao tulikula na kunywa naye baada ya kufufuka kwake kutoka kwa wafu. 4210:42 Mt 28:19-20; 2Tim 4:11; 1Pet 4:5Naye alituamuru kuhubiri kwa watu wote na kushuhudia kwamba ndiye alitiwa mafuta na Mungu kuwa hakimu wa walio hai na wafu. 4310:43 Isa 53:11; Mdo 26:22; 15:9Manabii wote walishuhudia juu yake kwamba kila mtu amwaminiye hupokea msamaha wa dhambi katika Jina lake.”
Watu Wa Mataifa Wapokea Roho Mtakatifu
4410:44 Lk 1:15; Mdo 19:6Wakati Petro alikuwa akisema maneno haya, Roho Mtakatifu aliwashukia wote waliokuwa wakisikiliza ule ujumbe. 4510:45 Mdo 2:33-38; 11:18; 15:8Wale wa tohara walioamini waliokuja na Petro walishangaa kwa kuona kuwa kipawa cha Roho Mtakatifu kimemwagwa juu ya watu wa Mataifa. 4610:46 Mk 16:17Kwa kuwa waliwasikia wakinena kwa lugha mpya na kumwadhimisha Mungu.
Ndipo Petro akasema, 4710:47 Mdo 8:36; 11:17; Yn 20:22“Je, kuna mtu yeyote anayeweza kuzuia watu hawa wasibatizwe kwa maji? Wamempokea Roho Mtakatifu kama sisi tulivyompokea.” 4810:48 Mdo 2:38; 8:16Kwa hiyo akaamuru wabatizwe kwa jina la Yesu Kristo. Wakamsihi Petro akae nao kwa siku chache.
1There was a certain man in Cæsarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3He 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. 4And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. 7And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; 8And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
9¶ On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. 17Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate, 18And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
19¶ While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 21Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? 22And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. 23Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24And the morrow after they entered into Cæsarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 28And 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. 29Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? 30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 33Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
34¶ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
44¶ While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
