CHARACTERS

Narrator 1

Narrator 2

Peter

Cornelius

Angel

Slave

NARRATOR 1: In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. He was a devout man who feared God, as did his entire household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God.

NARRATOR 2: One afternoon, at about three o’clock, he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and speaking to him. Cornelius was frightened when he saw the angel. The angel said…

ANGEL: Cornelius.

CORNELIUS: What is it, Lord?

ANGEL: Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a certain man named Simon who is called Peter; he is staying with a man there who lives by the seaside.

NARRATOR 1: When the angel left, Cornelius called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him. After telling them of his conversation with the angel, he sent them to Joppa to ask Peter to come to him in Caesarea.

NARRATOR 2: About noon on the next day as they were approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof of the house where he was staying to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while his food was being prepared he fell into a trance. He saw the heavens open and something like a sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then he heard a voice saying…

ANGEL: Get up Peter, kill and eat.

PETER: No Lord, I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.

ANGEL: What God has made clean, you must not call profane.

NARRATOR 1: The voice, which was actually an angel, spoke again…

ANGEL: Get up Peter, kill and eat.

PETER: No Lord, I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.

ANGEL: What God has made clean, you must not call profane.

NARRATOR 2: The Angel spoke for a third time…

ANGEL: Get up Peter, kill and eat.

PETER: No Lord, I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.

ANGEL: What God has made clean, you must not call profane.

NARRATOR 1: After the third time the sheet was taken up into heaven. Peter was greatly puzzled and not sure what to make of his vision. Suddenly the men sent from Cornelius came looking for Peter.

PETER: I am the man you are looking for.

SLAVE: Cornelius, a centurion and an upright and God-fearing man, was directed by an angel to ask you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say about Jesus of Nazareth.

NARRATOR 2: The next day Peter and some of the disciples of Jesus, who were strict Jews, went the soldiers back to the house of Cornelius. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. On Peter’s arrival, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him.

PETER: Get up! Do not worship me, I am a human just like you! You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. So when you sent for me I came without objection. Now, may I ask why you sent for me?

CORNELIUS: I had a vision from an angel who said you had words of wisdom to tell us. Please tell us about Jesus.

PETER: I truly understand for the first time, that God shows no partiality. In every nation, anyone who loves God and does what is right is acceptable to God. You have heard the message God sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ – he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Galilee. God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit so that Jesus had the power to heal people, to proclaim the good news to all who are oppressed, and to proclaim forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses to that!

NARRATOR 1: While he was speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The disciples of Jesus who were Jews were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles! Or those who were not Jews!

NARRATOR 2: But, they knew it was true, because they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God.

PETER: Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit, just as we have?

NARRATOR 1: So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

NARRATOR 2: Then they invited him to stay for several days.

THE END

Deepening Faith: Youth Ministry Resources and Some Miscellaneous Advice

Rev. Lizann Bassham, Front Porch Spirit Press