In the Episcopalian tradition, February 7 is the day in which the church remembers the story of Cornelius the centurion. His story is found in Acts 10. Cornelius’s conversion marks a turning point in the book of Acts. Before Chapter 10, the Holy Spirit is only given to Jewish believers. In a symbolic vision, however, Peter is told that non-kosher foods are now acceptable to eat—a symbolic proclamation that the gentiles, who were once impure, are now included in God’s calling. Peter then shares the good news with Cornelius, who had himself received a vision which confirmed Peter’s message. After chapter 10, the book of Acts shifts its focus to the missionary conquest of the gentile world.
