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Barnabas
Acts 4:32-37
32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.
33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all
34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales
35 and lay them at the apostles feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
36 Now JOSEPH, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called BARNABAS by the apostles (which translated means Son of ENCOURAGEMENT).
37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostle's feet.
Barnabas appears for the first time here in Acts 4. We learn that the name given to him by his parents is Joseph. We also find out that he is a Levite of Cyprian birth and it was the apostles that gave him the name Barnabas and translated means Son of Encouragement.
We are also told that Barnabas owned a track of land and sold it and gave the money to the apostles to be distributed to those needing it.
There are a total of 27 scriptures in the New Testament that contains the name Barnabas. Twenty-three are found in the book of Acts. There is one verse in 1st Corinthians and three in Galatians.
When Saul came to Jerusalem he was trying to associate with the disciples. All were afraid of him and did not believe that he was a disciple. Barnabas stood up for Saul.
We read in Acts 9:27: “But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.”
When Stephen was stoned to death many Christians were scattered because of the persecution and made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch and began “speaking the Word to no one but Jews alone.”
Acts 11:20-26
20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.
22 The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent BARNABAS off to Antioch.
23 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;
24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.
25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul;
26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
We learn from the verse 21 above that there was a large number of Gentiles who believed turned to the Lord. In verse 22 we find out when the church in Jerusalem heard the news they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
And what did Barnabas do?
In verse 23 we find out that when “he witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord.”
We are also told that Barnabas was “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.”
We can all learn from Barnabas. Let us make time to encourage all. I know that at times that is difficult to do. Let us continue to grow in knowledge and faith. Let us grow in our love for one another. May God bless us and those we encourage.
