Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.—Acts 11:22-24
Whenever I read about Barnabas in the Scriptures, it “encourages” me to want to be like him. To want to be a doer of 1 Thessalonians 5:11 which tells us to encourage one another and build each other up.
Barnabas was a good man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. His name was changed by the apostles to Barnabas meaning Son of Encouragement. Oh how I would love to get to Heaven and hear the Lord call me a daughter of encouragement...to have lived my life for Him by directing and encouraging his people into His love and good deeds.
Everyone needs a Barnabas in their life...even “Barnabases” need a Barnabas. We, as believers, are strangers on the earth and often grow faint hearted, weary and disheartened as we travel through the many and variegated trials the Lord has carefully and lovingly prepared for us. Sometimes just the evil we see occurring daily around us can cause our minds to sink and our steps to falter in fear. I am so thankful that God knows what we need before we do and sends us sons and daughters of encouragement, like Barnabas, to strengthen our hearts before Him. Sadly, the value of encouragement is often missed because by its nature it is private...occurring behind the scenes and given to people who are feeling sad and alone. If you are an encourager who at times feels unappreciated, ignored or even invisible, it is helpful to remember that we serve a God who sees and remembers. For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. ❤️
Read through with me a few of the general references to Barnabas that we find in the Scripture. Barnabas’ surname was Jose’s, or Joseph. He was a Levite, a native of Cypress, a distinguished teacher and also a companion and colleague of Paul.
Acts 4:36-37 is the first mention of Barnabas in the Scriptures...here he can be seen sacrificially loving the people of God by sharing with them what had come into his hand through the selling of his property.
And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
When Paul was ostracized from other believers because of fear, Barnabas was there...
And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.—Acts 9:26-27
In Chapter 11 we see Barnabas being sent out by the church in Jerusalem to Antioch. Here we find him once again living up to his name...teaching, exhorting, bearing fruit and encouraging them to continue with purpose of heart to follow their Lord.
Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.—Acts 11:22-26
In Acts 12:25 we see Barnabas and Saul returning to Jerusalem having fulfilled their ministry. I love that.
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark
Barnabas was full of the fruits of faith that works by love. His faith was genuine and his love self-sacrificing. His words and actions motivated by His great love for God and Christ.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,"—Hebrews 10:24,
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.—Galatians 5:6
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.—Galatians 5:22-23
