BARNABAS

WHO IS BARNABAS?
I would like for us to take some time to examine the life of an extraordinary Christian, Barnabas. What makes him so extraordinary (to me) is that in the relatively short time span of his recorded life in scripture, he has such a great impact upon the church and those around him.

He enters the scene in the book of Acts 4:36 and is leaves it in Acts 15:39 where as Paul begins his second missionary journey, they part ways. But during those few years we have much to be grateful for as a result of his life.
There were many leaders in the early church, but few were as humble and influential as Barnabas. His name was Joseph, but the apostles gave him the name "Barnabas" which means Son of Encouragement.

It was an appropriate name because he was an encouragement to all who knew him. Since the apostles called him "son of encouragement," this may have been Barnabas' most important characteristic.

Acts 11:24 also says; "for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord."

Acts 4:36 says that Barnabas was a Levite whose family came from the island of Cyprus where some of the Jews of the Diaspora had settled.

His name stands first on the list of prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch (13:1).

He was a cousin of Mark, the writer of the gospel by that name. (Colossions 4:10 )

He sent them to preach the gospel to those whom He defined specifically as "son[s] of peace"—the called of God.

Barnabas could have been among the earliest converts to Christianity according to Bible History.
Tradition says that Barnabas was one of the seventy whom Jesus Christ sent out in pairs "as lambs among wolves" into every city. ( Luke 10:1-12 )
They were to carry no money, baggage, or sandals, nor were they to greet anyone along the road. Jesus told them that they were on a special mission of peace.

BARNABAS HAD A GIVING HEART
Barnabas is first mentioned as a landowner who sold some land and generously donated all the proceeds to the apostles in Jerusalem. (Acts 4:36-37 )

This was at about the same time as the infamous "Ananias and Sapphira incident" (Acts 5:1-11).
Barnabas' honesty and generosity contrasted sharply with the deceitful behavior of Ananias and Sapphira.

BARNABAS AND SAUL
He was the first person of influence and responsibility to extend his personal warmth and home to Saul of Tarsus, when all Jerusalem was still casting stones at him. (Acts 9:26-31 )
The disciples in Jerusalem, who knew Saul only as a fierce persecutor and murderer of the saints, were afraid of him.
They could hardly believe that the feared inquisitor had been converted.
Although the rest shrank from Saul in fear and suspicion, yet Barnabas came forward and showed great kindness toward him.
He introduced Saul to the apostles (verse 27), so that he could tell them the story of his miraculous conversion, and how he had preached with power at Damascus.

The prosperity of the church at Antioch led the apostles and brethren at Jerusalem to send Barnabas to be an overseer of the movement. He found the work so extensive and weighty that he went to Tarsus in search of Saul to assist him. Paul returned with him to Antioch and labored with him for a whole year (Acts 11:25, 26).

HE WAS A MISSIONARY
A few years later, God appointed him as an apostle with Paul to the Gentiles ( Acts13:2-3, 14;14 )
He spent many years preaching the gospel in lands far distant from both Jerusalem and Cyprus.

Barnabas accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey, at first in the role of a senior member, but sensing Paul's greater calling, he eventually deferred to Paul's lead.
By all accounts Barnabas was never diminished however in the love and respect of all who knew him.

As Paul came into greater prominence, Barnabas quietly fell back into a supporting role.
Barnabas had a wonderful gift in a supporting role in the growth of the early church, he is honored and exalted because he knew his place in the body of Christ.

What a joy when we begin to see our role in the body of Christ as important to the overall health of the Church.

HE HAD CONFLICTS AND MOMENTS OF WEAKNESS
Acts15:36-41,
Barnabas and Paul had their moments of disagreement. A serious conflict arose between them over John Mark, Barnabas' cousin.
Paul was still upset over Mark's decision in Pamphylia to leave them and their work, and this led to a definite breach between them.
Sharp contention caused Barnabas and Paul to head their separate ways—Barnabas with Mark to Cyprus, and Paul with Silas to Syria and Cilicia. This breach between them apparently lasted for quite some time.

Another conflict arose when in Antioch, Paul considered certain converted Jews, including the apostle Peter, to be hypocrites regarding eating with the Gentiles.
Galatians 2:11-13 says; But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. "

The wording indicates that Barnabas' actions surprised Paul. Obviously, this was uncharacteristic of Barnabas, and it miffed Paul.

It does seem odd that Barnabas would not fear harboring Saul of Tarsus in his home, protecting him from vigilantes, but was afraid to stand up to Jewish Christians regarding eating with Gentile Christians.


Some times peer pressure can be hard to deal with, even in the Church.

This just goes to shows that all Christians occasionally give in to the prejudices of our backgrounds, and we spend much of our lives trying to overcome them.

Although Barnabas and Paul had their differences, they were not irreconcilable. Paul refers to Barnabas a few years later regarding the church's support of them.
1 Corinthians 9:6 says “Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from doing manual labor for a livelihood [in order to go about the work of the ministry]?”

By this time, it seems Paul and Barnabas had reconciled and were working together again. We would expect nothing less from two converted individuals.

Colossions 4:10-18 tell us that Paul had differed with Barnabas, on the account of this Mark, yet he is not only reconciled, but recommends him to the churches; an example of a true Christian and a forgiving spirit.

If someone has been guilty of a fault, it must not always be remembered against them. We must forgive as well as forget..

CHARACTER OF BARNABAS
Scripture paints a picture of Barnabas as a kind, forgiving, encouraging, and compassionate man.

Luke sums up his character in Acts 11:24, "He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith."
Luke then follows this ringing endorsement with a meaningful postscript: "Wherever he went, "a great many people were added to the Lord."
It goes to show that when even unsaved people are touched by the heart of God through persons like Barnabas.

Despite Barnabas' faults, no more or less than any of ours, he received a wonderful, God-inspired commendation as a permanent example of a true witness for God.

How encouraging for us all with our many faults.

Barnabas sacrificed himself to be instrumental in God's cultivation of the early church. Paul makes specific mention of the fact that Barnabas, who willingly impoverished himself in the interests of the church, labored with his own hands to support himself on his missionary journeys.

FOLLOWING BARNABASES EXAMPLE OF BEING AN ENCOURAGER

Everyone can use a little encouragement on a regular basis. Very often it does not take much more than a kind word of concern or a simple statement of appreciation, or a little hug or hand shake.

Research has found that people are much happier on the job if they feel appreciated for their work.

This factor is more important in day-to-day job satisfaction than the amount of one's salary. On the other hand, a well-deserved raise in pay is like your boss saying, "I appreciate your work!"

As society puts more distractions before us, encouraging others is becoming a lost art. Today, we just get too busy to be concerned about the welfare of our fellow human beings, and busyness becomes an excuse for neglecting them.
As Christians, we must find the time to be concerned about others—about their welfare, about their feelings, about their spiritual growth!
( Corinthians 8:11-13 )

Encouragement goes a long way to boosting the spirits of a discouraged friend who must persevere through a trial.

If Barnabas were allowed to come back and speak to us for 30 minutes, what would He say to us?

1-People of God are more important than possessions, be a giver and really care for people in need.
2- Go where your needed. You are uniquely gifted by God and don't worry if God gives you a supporting role, you are important for the overall health of your church.
3- Empower others through encouragement. We all need to be encouraged on a regular bases, with words of affirmation, a hug, etc.
4- Be patient with others, and be a mentor and who know you might take part in maturing a Paul or John Mark.
5- Repent when you make a mistake, and don't be swayed by peer pressure in the Church.