“When Saul went to Jerusalem, he tried to join the group of followers but they were all afraid of him. But Barnabas accepted Saul and took him to the apostles. Barnabas explained to them that Saul had seen the Lord on the road and the Lord had spoken to Saul. Then he told them how boldly Saul had preached in the name of Jesus in Damascus.” –Acts 9:26-27 (NCV).
“Barnabas accepted Saul and took him to the apostles…explained to them that Saul had seen the Lord…” Because Barnabas befriended Saul of Tarsus, he became a strong encourager at a critical time in Saul’s life. After all, Barnabas was dealing with what we could say, tongue-in-cheek, was a “basket case,” Saul who would become Paul the Apostle. If you do not remember how the “basket case” entered into Saul’s early life as a Christian, read Acts 9:22-25. Saul’s very life was saved by lowering him in a basket over the city wall of Damascus at night. There is no record that Barnabas was there, helping with this act to save Paul’s life. But in Jerusalem, a strong believer, Barnabas, whose name means “son of prophecy” or “son of exhortation” a former Levite from the isle of Cyprus, was Saul’s staunch advocate, supporter and encourager. Saul needed such a friend in his early ministry when his life was changing from persecutor to proclaimer and when many distrusted this new, zealous missionary who had once pursued Christians with a vengeance to imprison them.
Barnabas is mentioned twenty-three times in the book of Acts and five times in Paul’s epistles. It is interesting to trace these references to a man of God and an encourager of others. Not only did Saul (Paul) benefit from this man’s encouragement, but so did young Mark and others. On Paul’s first missionary journey, Barnabas assumed the role of leader. We read about Barnabas as encourager and leader in Acts 13 and 14.
Later in the spread of the gospel and the churches, Paul commended Barnabas, who by then had taken Mark and formed another missions team. Barnabas, like Paul, found ways to support himself financially on his missions, a principle Paul advocated.
Barnabas is mentioned twenty-three times in the book of Acts and five times in Paul’s epistles. It is interesting to trace these references to a man of God and an encourager of others. Not only did Saul (Paul) benefit from this man’s encouragement, but so did young Mark and others. On Paul’s first missionary journey, Barnabas assumed the role of leader. We read about Barnabas as encourager and leader in Acts 13 and 14.
Later in the spread of the gospel and the churches, Paul commended Barnabas, who by then had taken Mark and formed another missions team. Barnabas, like Paul, found ways to support himself financially on his missions, a principle Paul advocated.
We all need a friend and encourager. Jesus said the law and the prophets could be summarized in “Love the Lord God with all the heart, understanding, soul and strength…and your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12: 30-31) Barnabas was a man in whom these principles of Christian love were exemplified. Is someone waiting for your love, encouragement and help? Richly we have received; let us likewise give.
c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Monday, April 19, 2010
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