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38th Street Church of Christ 3904 38th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44718 330-492-5523 Fax: 330-493-7119 |
“Barnabas: The Encourager” |
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I. Introduction.
A. When the leaders of the church at Jerusalem got word of
what was happening at Antioch, in Syria, they sent some-
one to investigate the situation.1. The man they sent was just the right choice for the
circumstances.2. They might have sent someone of a rigid nature and
narrow mind. But, they chose, rather, a man with
one of the biggest hearts in church. They sent the
man called “Barnabas.”a. Barnabas had already given proof of His
love and generosity. First place in scriptures
we encounter him is in Acts 4: “And Joses
[Joseph], who was also named Barnabas by
the apostles (which is translated Son of
Encouragement [consolation; exhortation]), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” (verses 36-37).b. And it was Barnabas who stood by Saul of
Tarsus, when other people were suspicious
of him and his conversion (“But Barnabas
took him [Paul] and brought him to the
apostles. And he declared to them how he
had seen the Lord on the road, and that He
[Jesus] had spoken to him, and how he had
preached boldly at Damascus in the name of
Jesus.” (Acts 9:27).3. When Barnabas came to Antioch, and when he saw
that the Gentiles were being added to the Lord’s
church, he was not skeptical, he did not demand that
these new converts adhere to Jewish rituals, and
laws, to be part of church; rather, he was glad for
what the grace of God was doing, here and else-
where.B. Barnabas realized that someone must be put in a position
of leadership in church at Antioch.1. That someone must be a person with a dual back-
ground: a Jew, who knew Jewish law and
tradition, but one who could also deal with former
Gentiles on equal terms. He must be a man of
courage – for Antioch, like most ancient cities, was
no easy place for a Christian leader.2. He needed to be one who could use words skill-
fully – one who had some education. He’d have
to be able to meet the attacks of both Jews and
Gentiles on the church.3. Barnabas knew just the man for the task:
“. . . Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.”
(v. 25). Barnabas was not only a loving man, not
only a generous man, not only a loyal friend, he
was a wise man as well.C. All of Barnabas’ qualities contributed to his standing, and
influence, in the church. He is an appealing character
because of his good qualities, and because he was an
encourager. The church needed encouragers then – and
needs encouragers now.III. Barnabas – The Man And Servant Of God.
A. His given name, as noted in Acts 4:36, was Joseph. He
was a Levite, a member of the priestly tribe of the Jews.
He was from the island of Cyprus. These are the basic
facts we learn of him in scripture. But, these facts are not
what’s really significant about Barnabas. We must
examine the characteristics that made him a commendable
Christian to really understand the impact of such a man on
the church.B. Scripture says Barnabas was a good man (Acts 11:24).
Word used here is “Agathos” and means upright in nature
and beneficial in effect.1. Barnabas’ “goodness” was rooted in godliness,
as he was “. . . full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.”
(v. 24).2. This goodness was reflected in all of his other
characteristics.C. His goodness was seen in his generosity, as we’ve already
noted from Acts 4.1. There is something to speculate upon here.
According to the Jewish law, Levites were not
given land as part of their inheritance
(Numbers 18:20-21). So, what land did Barnabas
possess and sell? Answer could lie in what had
happened over the centuries – Jews had been
scattered at various times by various conquerors.
Those who were not involved in priestly duties
could have acquired land.2. Another possible explanation: some feel Levites
were entitled to a burial plot. That may be what
Barnabas sold, which makes his action even more
generous.3. What he sold is, however, far less important than
why he sold it. It was to give something for the
care, and support, of others in the church. His
generosity was a part of his encouragement of
those who had physical needs.D. His goodness is also reflected in his willingness to forgive.
1. An example of this seen in Acts 15, as Barnabas
and Paul discuss returning to the mission field from
Antioch. (READ, verses 36-38).2. What led to this confrontation, this clash of wills, is
found in Acts 13: “Now when Paul and his party
set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in
Pamphylia; and John [Mark], departing from them,
returned to Jerusalem.” (v. 13).a. The reason why young John Mark,
Barnabas’ cousin (Colossians 4:10), and
“assistant” to him and Paul on this first
missionary journey (Acts 13:5), left them
and went home is not made clear. Again, let me interject here: The King James refers to Mark as Barnabas’ sister’s son”; this is not what original Greek word meant, although it was used this way in later Greek writings. No reason to believe it means anything other than “cousin,” as most English versions translate it.)b. Whatever had happened, or whatever
motivated Mark to go home, Paul made it
clear he wanted no part of Mark’s going on
a second journey from Antioch.3. Whether Barnabas or Paul was right in the dispute
is of little significance. What does shine through is
the forgiveness of Barnabas. Mark was very
fortunate to have a friend like Barnabas – one who
was willing to give him a second chance.4. I don’t believe it’s right, or fair, to say Barnabas did
this only because of his kinship with Mark. What
Barnabas did for him, his goodness and forgiveness,
he would have done for anyone.5. Mark, himself, took full advantage of this second
opportunity. It gave him back his self-respect –
because someone believed in him and was willing
to forgive him. In years to come, Mark justified
that belief and forgiveness.6. Barnabas’ willingness to forgive was a part of his
encouragement for those who had stumbled, and
needed to be lifted up to carry on God’s work.E. His goodness was reflected, as well, in the effectiveness of
his teaching.1. When he first arrived in Antioch, he
“. . .encouraged them all that with purpose of heart
they should continue with the Lord.” (verse 23).2. Effective teaching is more than communication with
words. It is also setting an example. Barnabas’ life
and reputation both were part of his encouragement
to these Christians to grow in their new life in
Christ, and to remain faithful to the truth they had
now discovered, and by which they’d been
redeemed.F. His goodness also made him a trusted man (READ;
Acts 11:29-30). Substantial sums may have been involved
here. But, the brethren had no fears in sending either
Barnabas or Paul to Judea with this contribution. They
knew it was safe with them. They could be trusted.G. His goodness made him a willing servant. Paul wrote in
Galatians 2:9: “and when James, Cephas [Peter], and
John,: . . .perceived the grace that had been given to me,
they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship,
that we should go to the Gentiles. . .”1. While others concentrated their efforts on
converting the Jews, Barnabas and Paul were
to work among the Gentiles. Different talents,
different approaches were used, and necessary,
to expand God’s kingdom.2. Not only was Barnabas willing to help in this work,
he was willing to serve without financial support
from the churches (I Corinthians 9:6). He, like
Paul and many others, made great personal
sacrifices for the cause of Christ.H. Lastly, his goodness was seen in his humility.
1. In Acts 14, he arrives with Paul in town of Lystra
where, because of a healing Paul performs, the
people acclaim them as gods: “ ‘The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!’ And Barnabas they called Zeus [or Jupiter], and Paul Hermes [or Mercury], . . .” (verses 11-12).2. Some people would have delighted in such
homage – but not Barnabas or Paul. They refused
such worship – and drew peoples’ attention to the
true and living God. He, and He alone, is to be
worshipped.3. Barnabas’ humility led him, always, to be an
encourager of worship of the true God and of
obedience to Him.III. Conclusion.
A. Let’s remember one other thing – something Barnabas
and his co-workers would have emphasized in their
teaching – Barnabas, as all people, was fallible. Was not
perfect, but forgiven of his sins by the grace of God.B. Look, again, at end of last verse of text – Acts 11:26:
RE-READ underlined portion).1. The title “Christian”, some believe, was first
used in a contemptuous, derisive, mocking way.
Scripture does not suggest this. But, whatever
was true at the beginning of its use, men like
Barnabas elevated it to something to be
desired, and a name known throughout the
world.2. By his life, Barnabas, a Christian, made it a name
that signifies courage and love, so that people
marveled at the power, the joy, and the hope it
represented.3. It was the “new name”, (the “everlasting name”,)
God had promised for His people (Isaiah 56:5).C. The name “Christian” identifies one who is “in Christ.”
It identifies one as a penitent, baptized believer in Christ
as the Son of God. (Acts 4:12: “Nor is their salvation in
any other for there is no other name under heaven given
among men by which we must be saved!”).D. Barnabas’ belief in Christ led him to become a Christian.
His dedication to Christ led him to be an encourager of
others, and a teacher of others, to lead them to do the same.