Scripture Time

Peter, Cornelius, and the Angel

By Erin Sanderson

The author lives in Utah, USA.

Learn about the New Testament together this year!

After Jesus was resurrected and returned to heaven, Peter and the other Apostles preached in many places, but only to Jewish people.

Cornelius was an officer in the Roman army. He believed in God, but he was not Jewish. An angel appeared to him and told him to send for Peter. Cornelius sent his men to find Peter, and the Holy Ghost told Peter to go with them.

At Cornelius’s house, Peter taught the many people who had gathered there. He told them about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and they felt the Holy Ghost and knew it was true. When Peter’s friends found out that he had preached to people who weren’t Jewish, they were shocked. But Peter told them he had learned that the gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. (See Acts 10:1–48; 11:1–18.)

Family Talk

Read Matthew 28:19–20. Talk about how we can share the gospel with everyone. Think of questions your friends or neighbors might have about the gospel. You can practice asking and answering the questions by role-playing with your family.

Song: Choose a song about missionary work, such as “We’ll Bring the World His Truth” (Children’s Songbook, 172).

Scripture: Matthew 28:19–20

Video: Go to Biblevideos.org to watch “Peter’s Revelation to Take the Gospel to the Gentiles.”

Scripture Tip

We can understand the scriptures better when we share what we are learning. Read a scripture passage with your family and talk about what difficult words or phrases mean, what the scripture means to you, and ways to apply it in your life.

Learn More

Before Peter was called to be a disciple, he was a fisherman known as Simon. Jesus gave him the name Peter, which means “stone” or “rock.” After Jesus left the earth, Peter was the chief Apostle and led the Church. He held the keys, or authority, of the priesthood.

Get Ready to Share!

One way to become a good missionary is to try to be more like Jesus. Cut out the badges and fill in a trait you would like to practice. Maybe you could work on being “Elder Kind” or “Sister Grateful.” Put your badge where it can remind you of your goal.

Elder

Elder

Sister

Sister