The angel appeared to Cornelius while he was at prayer. As the centurion heard himself addressed by name, he was afraid, yet he knew that the messenger had come from God, and he said, "What is it, Lord?" The angel answered, "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: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside."

Engelen viste sig for Kornelius, mens han bad. Da høvedsmanden hørte sit navn blive nævnet, blev han bange, skønt han vidste, at sendebuddet var kommet fra Gud, og han sagde: "Hvad er det, Herre?" Engelen svarede: "Dine bønner og dine almisser er steget op til Gud som et ihukommelsesoffer. Send nu nogle mænd til Joppe og lad dem hente en mand, som hedder Simon med tilnavn Peter. Han er gæst hos en garver ved navn Simon, der har sit hus ved havet."