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.—Acts 4:36-37
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
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. 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. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 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
Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.—Acts 11:29-30
"Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.—Acts 13:2-3
Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.—Acts 13:13
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.
Read through with me a few of the general references to Barnabas (see above) 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.
In Acts 9:26-27 when Paul was ostracized from other believers because of fear, Barnabas was there...
Reading Acts 11 and Acts 13 through you can see that Paul (Saul) was originally following Barnabas. In each verse Scripture reads Barnabas and Saul until Acts 13:13 when it says “Paul and his party”. Paul was now in the leadership position. Barnabas as supportive and gracious. Always gracious.
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. He was a humble encourager who submitted to God and bloomed where he was planted so to speak. Praying that each of us as members of the body of Christ do the work the Lord calls us to do to fulfill our ministry with love and joy in the Holy Spirit. Like Barnabas, may our one desire be that God to be glorified.
For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;—Romans 12:4-11
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.—Colossians 3:12-17 (emphasis mine)
Addendum: 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. ❤️
