Barnabas

I recently read an article about Barnabas which made me appreciate him.

 We first meet Barnabas in Acts 4:36 - "Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means "son of encouragement")."

As Jesus renamed Simon to Peter, the apostles changed Joseph's name to Barnabas. He must have been a great encouragement to all since that is the meaning of his new name.

His first action we read about is that he sold a field which he owned and brought the money and laid it at the apostle's feet.

When Saul was converted, he went to Jerusalem to meet the believers, "When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple." 

But one person did believe Saul: Barnabas. "But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus." Acts 9:27 And what was the result? "So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord."

Barnabas was an encouragement to Saul and helped him be accepted into the church he once persecuted. Without him, Saul would have been turned away.

Some Christians had gone to Antioch and preached Jesus. Many believed, and the church sent Barnabas to investigate. "When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord." Acts 11.

"Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."

He went with Paul to Jerusalem, taking with them gifts of money to help the poor and hungry there. Acts 11:30 He became a missionary with Paul by God's command: One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them." Acts 13:2

Along with Paul, Barnabas did not make his living from the church. They earned their own money making tents. "Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working?" 1Corinthians 9:6

On another missionary trip, Barnabas wanted to take Mark with them but:
"Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord." Acts 15:38-40

Barnabas wanted to give Mark another chance to work for the Lord. Just as he couldn't turn Saul away, he couldn't turn his back on Mark. Paul disagreed, so Barnabas, a "son of encouragement" left Paul and  went with Mark. And this Mark is the one who later wrote one of the gospels in the New Testament. 

From the article and Bible study, I learned how important Barnabas was to the new church. I love his character, his vitality, his willingness to help Paul and Mark. He was called by God "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit." Wow. What a wonderful thing for God to say about you!