As Peter entered the house of the Gentile, Cornelius did not salute him as an ordinary visitor, but as one honored of Heaven and sent to him by God. It is an Eastern custom to bow before a prince or other high dignitary and for children to bow before their parents; but Cornelius, overwhelmed with reverence for the one sent by God to teach him, fell at the apostle's feet and worshiped him. Peter was horror-stricken, and he lifted the centurion up, saying, "Stand up; I myself also am a man." 138

Da Peter kom ind i hedningernes hus, hilste Kornelius ham ikke som en almindelig gæst, men som en, der er æret højt af Himmelen og sendt fra Gud. Det er østerlandsk skik at bøje sig for en fyrste eller en anden rangsperson, og børn bøjer sig for deres forældre; men Kornelius, der var betaget af ærefrygt for den, Gud havde sendt for at belære ham, faldt ned for apostlens fødder og tilbad ham. Peter blev forfærdet; han rejste høvedsmanden op og sagde: "Stå op! jeg er selv et menneske."