The International Buffet

1. Khalil (Egypt)

• Account: Khalil, a former radical Egyptian terrorist, had a dream in which Jesus appeared to him, extending his hand and inviting him to take hold, promising that his life would change forever. This dream penetrated his soul, prompting him to seek out the Bible, which he had initially set out to discredit. His encounter led to a transformation from a violent past to becoming a Christian.

• Outcome: Khalil’s dream initiated a journey of exploring the Bible, leading to his conversion to Christianity.

• Source: More Than Dreams video series; Lausanne World Pulse Archives; Jesus.net.

2. Kurdish Family (Kurdistan)

• Account: A family in Kurdistan each had a separate dream on the same night, instructing them to cross a river the next day to find “living water.” Following the dream, they crossed the river and were given a Bible by someone they met.

• Outcome: The family retained the Bible and began exploring Christianity, with the dream serving as a catalyst for seeking out Christian teachings.

• Source: The Gospel Coalition.

3. Mohammed (Northern Nigeria)

• Account: Mohammed, the son of a prominent Fulani herdsman, had seven dreams of Jesus Christ while preparing for advanced Islamic studies in Saudi Arabia. These dreams convinced him of Jesus’ love and lordship, prompting him to seek out Christian resources and eventually the Bible.

• Outcome: Mohammed converted to Christianity, survived attempts on his life by his father, and later led his father to faith in Christ through his testimony and study of the Bible.

• Source: Jesus.net.

 Acts 11:1–18; 15:7, 14

The Gospel of Jesus is good news to all people in all places. 

Intention (1-8)

Your intention behind why you share the gospel with people always has a divine purpose.

Cornelius

Cornelius was a common nomen in the Roman world ever since Publius Cornelius Sulla in 82 bc emancipated 10,000 slaves and enrolled them in his own gens Cornelia.

Devout Man - Feared God because of their attachment to Jewish religious practices, such as almsgiving and prayer

The ‘Italian Cohort’ to which Cornelius belonged was an auxiliary cohort of Roman citizens, whose presence in Syria in the 1st century ad

Acts: An Introduction and Commentary b. The Conversion of Cornelius (10:1–11:18)

Cornelius at the ninth hour of the day (3.00 pm). Since this was the hour of prayer in the temple at Jerusalem, it may be assumed that Cornelius was at prayer, and there may also be the thought that a vision in broad daylight would not be a phantom of his imagination.

Instruction (9-22)

Simon The Tanner

One of the rabbis said: “It is impossible for the world to do without tanners; but woe to him who is a tanner.” A Jewess could sue for divorce if she discovered that her husband was a tanner.

Archibald Thomas Robertson

Tanners were despised in first-century Jewish society, since they dealt with the skins of dead animals. Tanning was thus considered an unclean occupation, and Simon would have been shunned by the local synagogue.

John F. MacArthur

The general population may have avoided Simon, for the tanning materials and the dead animals and their hides created a stench. Moreover, the Jews considered the occupation of the tanner to be ceremonially unclean. Shunned by the Jews in the local synagogue, Simon was accepted by the members of the Christian church. Peter’s decision to live with Simon the tanner reflects his readiness to separate himself from Jewish legalism and engage in mission work among the Gentiles. In short, his residence with Simon the tanner prepares him for his call to proclaim the gospel in the home of Cornelius the Roman centurion.

Simon J. Kistemaker; William Hendriksen

The purity which God demands is impossible unless I can be re-made within, and this is what Jesus has undertaken to do by His Redemption.

Oswald Chambers (Lecturer and Missionary)

Man, made in the image of God, has a purpose—to be in relationship to God, who is there. Man forgets his purpose and thus he forgets who he is and what life means.

Francis August Schaeffer (Evangelical Missionary)

Deuteronomy 14:3–21 1. Holiness and Separation: Reformed Baptists believe that the kosher laws were God’s way of setting Israel apart as a holy nation, distinct from the surrounding peoples (as mentioned in Exodus 19:6). These dietary restrictions symbolized Israel’s unique covenant relationship with God, reinforcing their identity as His chosen people. By adhering to these laws, Jews demonstrated their obedience and separation from pagan practices.

2. Moral and Spiritual Discipline: The laws were a means of teaching discipline and obedience to God’s commands. Reformed Baptists often see the Old Testament Law, including dietary restrictions, as a tutor (Galatians 3:24) pointing to the need for holiness and ultimately to Christ, who fulfills the Law.

3. Foreshadowing Christ: In Reformed Baptist theology, the ceremonial aspects of the Mosaic Law, including food restrictions, are seen as typological, pointing to spiritual realities fulfilled in Jesus Christ. For example, the prohibition on consuming blood (Leviticus 17:11) foreshadowed the importance of Christ’s blood sacrifice for atonement (Hebrews 9:22). The dietary laws underscored the need for purity, which Christ ultimately provides through His redemptive work.

4. Cultural and Historical Context: Some Reformed Baptists might acknowledge practical reasons for the laws, such as health or cultural distinctions, though these are secondary. The primary purpose was theological—God’s sovereign choice to regulate Israel’s diet to reinforce their covenant identity.

5. Abrogation in the New Covenant: Reformed Baptists believe that the ceremonial and dietary laws were fulfilled in Christ and are no longer binding on Christians (Mark 7:19, Acts 10:9–16, Colossians 2:16–17). However, they respect that Jewish communities continue these practices as part of their cultural and religious heritage, even if they view them as non-essential for salvation or righteousness under the New Covenant.

Inclusion (23-48)

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 10

34 Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, 35 but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

What we must never forget is that God has shown favor to us precisely because he does not show favoritism. That is the only way you and I ever became Christians. If God had shown favoritism, we would not have been saved.

James Montgomery Boice

Favoritism is an indication of a heart that at best is in need of spiritual help and at worst is a heart without grace.

R. Kent Hughes