Cornelius and Peter (bible song) Acts 10

Song: Cornelius and Peter
Music, Lyrics, Voices: Ai

[Verse1]
From his post in Caesarea, a man of Roman birth.
A centurion, a soldier of uncommon worth.
Not for the strength of Caesar did his loyal heart beat,
But for a greater God, whose name he would repeat.

His fear of God, a quiet, fervent thing,
With generous gifts and constant prayers he’d bring.
Though Gentile born, he sought the Jewish way,
Seeking the light that brightened up his day.

[Verse2]
At three o'clock, a vision came to him,
An angel spoke, dispelling all things grim.
"Your prayers, your alms," the heavenly voice declared,
"Are now before the Lord, a memorial spared".

"Send now to Joppa," the message came to be,
"For Simon Peter, lodging by the sea".
Cornelius sent his men without delay,
To bring the one who'd show the saving way.

[Verse3]
While Peter prayed upon a rooftop high,
A sheet descended, falling from the sky.
Inside were beasts, by Jewish law unclean,
But a voice declared, "What God has cleansed is clean".

The Spirit then told Peter of the men,
Who waited down below, outside the den.
And though his heart was filled with ancient rule,
He went with them, submitting to God's school.

[Verse4]
They came to Cornelius, who fell down at his feet,
To offer worship, humble and complete.
But Peter raised him, saying, "I, too, am a man".
"It is forbidden for a Jew to enter here," he then began,
"But God has taught not to call a person 'unclean'".

And as Peter spoke the word of Christ the Lord,
The Holy Spirit fell, a swift reward.
On all the Gentiles gathered in that place,
They spoke in tongues, by God's amazing grace.

[Bridge]
The Jewish brothers, with Peter, were amazed,
To see this gift on Gentiles so quickly raised.
Then Peter asked, "Can anyone deny them water for the rite?"
And baptized all, now washed in cleansing light.

[Chorus]
Thus, the first Gentile converts were received,
A new path opened, a prejudice relieved.
Cornelius, the centurion, whose open, seeking heart,
Had been a vessel for God's holy, larger start.