Who's Your Barnabas?

by Steven Harper

In the New Testament (Acts 4:36), we are initially introduced to a certain Levite from Cyprus among the disciples in Jerusalem. This man's given name was Joses, but he had been named Barnabas by the apostles. The text in which he is first introduced describes an occasion when the disciples were looking out for one another's material needs, with some selling land or houses and bringing the proceeds to the apostles to be distributed (verses 34-35). Barnabas was named as one of those who had sold land and brought the proceeds and laid it at the apostles' feet (verse 37). At this time, we are not told why he is singled out for special mention, but we will find out more about this man later.

Several chapters later, but in actual time not long after we are first introduced to Barnabas, we find him again – and this occasion is no less noteworthy. This time, the context begins with the story of a man named Saul, who was severely persecuting the church (8:1-3; 9:1ff). Saul had asked for letters from the high priest that he might go to Damascus and, if he found any there, arrest those who were believers and bring them bound to Jerusalem (9:1-2). Of course, we know now that Jesus met him on the way (9:3-6) and told him to go ahead and go into the city, where he would be told what he must do. We also now know that it was there he met Ananias, who told him it was Jesus who had sent him, and commanded him to be baptized (9:17; 22:16). After three years (cf. Galatians 1:18), Saul then went back to Jerusalem and tried to join himself with the disciples, but they were afraid of him (Acts 9:26). Who wouldn't be, after what he had already done to their fellow believers? For all they knew, he was trying to infiltrate their numbers so he could discover the names of all whom he sought! But one man believed him – Barnabas (9:27)! Barnabas took Saul to the apostles, where he told the story of his conversion and his preaching at Damascus. After this, Saul was accepted by them and was able to walk with them the few days (fifteen, Galatians 1:18) he remained there before others again plotted to kill him and he had to flee, this time returning to his home town of Tarsus (9:28-30).

Sometime after this, we find that those who had been scattered because of the persecution of Stephen were now preaching the word wherever they went, with particular success at Antioch (Acts 11:19-20). When the church in Jerusalem heard this, they sent Barnabas to go as far as Antioch, and he was instrumental in the growth of the church there (verse 24b). In this context, Barnabas was described as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (verse 24a). It was also here that we find one of the great things he did was to encourage those at Antioch to “continue with the Lord” (verse 23).

Possibly because of the great success here, Barnabas then went to Tarsus to find Saul and bring him to Antioch. Maybe he remembered the great turnaround Saul had made and how this must have signaled a great commitment on his part and he wanted a good worker to help him at Antioch. It may have been that the Spirit sent him to get Saul, but we do not know. Either way, this was just the beginning of their many efforts together.

It was from here they took the contributions of those in Antioch to the needy brethren in Judea (11:27-30), and after returning from Jerusalem, they were chosen by the Holy Spirit to go out and teach the gospel in Cyprus (the home of Barnabas) and the regions of Pisidia and Pamphylia. In these places, they taught many and performed many great miracles and wonders (15:12) through the power of God. When a conflict arose over the question of circumcision, Paul (Saul) and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem with “certain others” that they might consider with the apostles and elders what God had made known on this subject (15:2). They brought the answer back to Antioch (15:30) and remained there awhile, “teaching and preaching the word of the Lord” (15:35). Only when they could not agree whether or not to take Mark with them did they separate, but each continued to live faithfully to the Lord and did much good in the work. Only once do we find a mark against him and, even then, the way it is said says much about his life (Galatians 2:13).

Have you ever stopped and thought about this man from Cyprus? He was a man described as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith,” who was given a name that meant “Son of Encouragement” by the apostles, who acted worthy of the name in encouraging brethren to live faithfully with the Lord, was trusted by his brethren, and who was a laborer in the difficult field of teaching and preaching with his fellow man. He was, no doubt, a good partner in teaching the gospel and was a source of encouragement to all. He was someone we would all like to have as a friend, never doubting his commitment.

Do you know a Barnabas? Do you know someone who could be described as “a good man (or woman), full of the Holy Spirit and of faith”? Do you know someone whose life is a reflection of their dedication and unwavering faith in the Lord and whom anyone – believer or unbeliever – would describe as “good”? Do you know someone who not only is good, but defines “good” through their sincere love for others and their unselfish deeds? Do you know someone whose every action and word causes others to glorify God (Matthew 5:16), who does good to others, no matter what they get in return (Matthew 5:44), and whose goodness pours forth in word and deed because that is who they really are, at heart (Matthew 12:35)?

Do you know someone who is “full of the Holy Spirit” – whose heart is filled with God's revealed word to the point it literally pours out of their mouths as they tell others the good news of salvation? Do you know someone so set on doing the will of God that they continually pray that God's will be done above their own (cf. Matthew 26:39), and whose life is exemplified by “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, (and) self-control”?

Do you know someone whose faith is also “full” and never wavers when times are difficult? Do you know someone who believes in their heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, acts like they believe it, and lives like it, too?

I hope you do know someone like Barnabas, for we would all be better off with someone like that around us. How much joy would we have if we had a dear friend who would go with us to teach our friends and neighbors, who would be a constant source of encouragement towards faithfulness, and who would stand up for us when others may doubt? How much work could be done in the work of spreading the gospel and edifying the brethren! We need more people like Barnabas!

On second thought, we need more of us to be like Barnabas!

From: The Burns Park BEACON, a bulletin of the Burns Park Church of Christ, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Editor: Steven Harper [This article may also be found at http://bpcoc.iwonpages.com]