Barnabas: the Encourager

Barnabas: The Encourager

INTRODUCTION

A. Barnabas was a fine Christian and a gospel preacher in the first century who is usually left in the shadow of the apostle Paul.

1. There are several excellent lessons to be drawn from the life of this relatively obscure disciple of Jesus. The book of Acts is full of stories of his work.

B. Who was Barnabas?

1. Acts 4:32-37: We are introduced to Barnabas for the first time. 1) He is mentioned shortly after Pentecost – was one of the earliest Christians and a member of the church in Jerusalem in its earliest days. 2) Barnabas had dwelt in Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean, where the Romans had sent a large number of Jews.

2. He was a Jew and a Levite. 1) All priests were Levites (from Kohath, one of Levi’s sons, from whom Moses and Aaron descended). 2) However, all Levites were not priests. 3) Levites who were not priests did lesser temple work (sons of Gershon and Merari). 4) This may explain why he was in Jerusalem. 5) He may have been serving among the priests at the temple. 6) It may even explain how he became a Christian – could have been one of the 3000 converted that first day when they heard and received the word (2:41). 7) Or he may have heard the gospel preached in the temple (2:42; 3:1).

3. His given name was Joses or Joseph. 1) The apostles modified his name to “Barnabas” which was a Hebrew name. 2) Its Greek equivalent meant: * “Son of Encouragement” (NASV, NIV, NKJV, RSV). * “Son of Exhortation” (ASV). * “Son of Comfort” (NT in Basic English). * “Son of Consolation” (KJV). 3) In the Bible, names often describes the character of the person named * Peter – “Rock (stone)” (Matt 16:18; John 1:42). * James and John – “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17). 4) Apparently the apostles recognized his effort and skill along this line. 5) Evidently an early convert to Christianity – well known to the apostles.

1 6) The apostles, not his parents were in the best position to observe his actions and his life.

4. A good exhorter is one who is persuasive, who can motivate others to do what is right. 1) He is one that has a genuine concern for the welfare of others and the ability to communicate that concern. 2) He can persuade the lost to obey the Lord, the wanderer to be restored, the faithful to be even more diligent, and the alienated to be reconciled. 3) He can cheer the despondent, strengthen the weak, and lend a helping hand to the new convert. 4) His character must be above reproach (Matt 7:1-6).

5. One of the most interesting men in the NT had a descriptive name. 1) What can we learn from a man whose name meant “Son of Encouragement”?

I. HE WAS A GENEROUS MAN (Acts 4:36-37)

A. An apparently wealthy man who sold land and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

1. He was unlike the rich young ruler (Matt 19:16-22). 1) He was sharing with poorer Christians. 2) He was willing to share with others when he found them in need. 3) His generosity was in contrast with that of Ananias and Sapphira.

2. This is no simple accomplishment. 1) It tells us a lot about him. 2) He didn’t sell his property and give because others were giving. 3) He was demonstrating his deep appreciation for his new-found salvation in Christ. 4) 2 Cor 9:15: As Paul expresses on another occasion of great benevolence: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.”

3. Generosity is an important gift that must be nurtured carefully as we live in a world of abundance. 1) It would be sad indeed to lose our souls because God had abundantly blessed us, and we failed to use it wisely.

4. 1 Tim 6:17-19: It is God’s “command” that we use our material possessions to “do good” and that we “be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for (ourselves) a good foundation for the time to come, that we may lay hold on eternal life.”

2 1) Let us be encouraged by Barnabas to not overlook this important part of faithful Christian living. 2) 1 Cor 9:6: Like Paul, he often declined support for his work.

II. HE WAS THE ENDORSER OF THE NEW CONVERT–PAUL (Acts 9:22-27)

A. Barnabas was bold and well respected.

1. Saul, after his conversion, came to Jerusalem but the church didn’t want to receive him. They were afraid of him. 1) He was a man who insisted on believing the best of others. 2) Perhaps Barnabas is best known as a man of great confidence in other people.

2. We can all understand why the Christians in Jerusalem feared Saul when he returned to Jerusalem. 1) He left as a persecutor of Christians, but returned as a forgiven brother in Christ. 2) When others suspected Paul of being a spy, Barnabas insisted on believing that he was genuine. 3) Obviously, they did not know that. 4) How Barnabas knew is not revealed.

3. Evidently Barnabas was willing to investigate the facts. 1) How did Barnabas know Paul’s situation? 2) Perhaps he was in touch with Christians in Damascus. 3) But he may have simply taken the time to ask Paul what had happened. 4) We can easily conclude that he checked the facts before making up his mind about Paul. 5) He was willing to defend the “suspect.” 6) He ran the risk of losing the favor of the church leaders in Jerusalem, but he did what was right regardless of the consequences.

4. The world is largely divided into those who think the best of others and those who think the worst. 1) It is one of the curious facts of life that ordinarily we see our own reflection in others and make them what we believe them to be. 2) If we insist on regarding a man with suspicion, we will end by making him do suspicious things. 3) If we insist on believing in a man, we will end by compelling him to justify that belief. 4) 1 Cor 13:4: As Paul himself said, “Love thinks no evil” (KJV).

3 5) No one believed in men as Jesus did and it should be enough for the disciple that he be as his Lord.

III. HE WAS A BUILDER OF THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH (Acts 11:20-26)

A. He was sent by the church at Jerusalem to investigate the events at Antioch and encourage the new congregation.

1. 22: He was capable of being trusted with this important mission.

2. 23: When he saw “the grace of God he rejoiced.” 1) He did not begrudge what was happening, as other Jews might. 2) He did not allow prejudice to keep him from seeing evidence of God’s grace.

3. 23: He “began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord.” 1) He had a sincere, active concern for the spiritual welfare of others. 2) 24: “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.”

4. 24: Partly because of his help, “considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.” 1) He was an effective evangelist.

B. He had the ability to gain the confidence and acceptance of different classes of people.

1. We have already observed the confidence with the Jews in Jerusalem had in Barnabas. 1) But, he was not long in gaining the confidence of the Gentiles as well (11:27-30).

2. 25-26: While in that work, he went to Tarsus to get Paul, brought him back to Antioch and they worked together there for a year. 1) Notice that Barnabas is leading and developing Paul. 2) He no doubt knew of Paul’s special mission to the Gentiles (9:15). 3) He had an eye for talent and potential. 4) He knew that Antioch was where Paul needed to be.

3. 12:25: He returned to Antioch only after they “fulfilled their mission” (11:27-30). 1) Col 4:10: He brought John Mark, his cousin (anepsios, more likely means cousin).

4 IV. BARNABAS, THE EVANGELIST (Acts 13:1-3) FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY (13:1-14:28)

A. Antioch became the second major base for missionary work.

1. 1: He headed the list of “prophets and teachers” in Antioch. 1) 2: He was among those who were “ministering to the Lord and fasting.” (He was a man of sincere faith and devotion).

2. 2-3: By the Holy Spirit, he was “set apart (separated)” along with Paul, for preaching in other areas. 1) Notice the order of the names: “Barnabas and Saul (Paul)” (11:30; 12:25; 13:2, 7). 2) 13:13: “Paul and his companions” – From here on Paul’s name always comes first (except in 14:14 and 15:12, 25).

3. Barnabas had the ability to recognize his area of greatest effectiveness and to be content with it. 1) Every Christian needs to evaluate accurately his strengths and weaknesses. 2) Even in this change of leading positions, we find no hint of jealousy on his part.

B. 13:14, 42-52: At Antioch in Pisidia, he and Paul “spoke out boldly” (46).

1. 50: They also suffered persecution there. 1) He was referred to as an “apostle” – general term simply meaning “one sent” (here by the church in Antioch). * The specialized use of the word applied only to the 12 and Paul.

C. 14:6-15: At Lystra, he was called “Zeus (Jupiter)” While Paul was called “Hermes (Mercury)” (12).

1. Luke gives us the Greek names for the gods. 1) Zeus is known as Jupiter and Hermes is called Mercury in the Roman world. 2) Hermes was the messenger of the Greek gods, while Zeus was the chief god. 3) Was Paul was identified with Hermes because of his oratory, while Barnabas thought to be Zeus because of his quiet, reserved dignity and strength?

5 2. Jupiter was the most powerful of all the gods of the ancients. 1) He was represented as the son of Saturn and Ops, and was educated in a cave on Mount Ida, in the island of Crete. 2) The worship of Jupiter was almost universal. 3) He was the Ammon of Africa, the Belus of Babylon, the Osiris of Egypt. 4) He was commonly called The Father of gods and men. 5) He was usually represented as sitting upon a golden or an ivory throne, holding in one hand a thunderbolt, and in the other a scepter of cypress. 6) His power was supposed to extend over other gods…(Hermes) was the messenger of the gods, and of Jupiter in particular. 7) He was the patron of travelers and shepherds, he conducted the souls of the dead into the infernal regions. 8) He presided over orators, and declaimers, and merchants. 9) He was also the god of thieves, pickpockets, and all dishonest persons. 10) He was regarded as the god of eloquence. 11) And was light, rapid, and quick in his movements.

3. 27: They “accomplished (completed; fulfilled)” their mission and gave a full “report” to the church in Antioch.

D. Acts 15: Controversy over circumcision.

1. 1-2: Barnabas “had great dissension and debate” with Judaizers in Antioch. 1) He could argue forcefully and vigorously for the truth. 2) He was sent to Jerusalem, along with others, to discuss the problem. 3) 3: He and his companions ‘were bringing great joy” in the places visited in route to Jerusalem.

2. Acts 15:12: When Judaizing teachers attempt to bind circumcision on Christians, Barnabas speaks with Paul and Peter to correct this. 1) 25: He was described as “beloved” by the Jerusalem church. 2) 26: He was described as having “risked” his life for Christ. 3) 28-35: Having settled this problem in Jerusalem, the church there sent a letter to Antioch, Syria and Cilicia by the hands of Barnabas and Paul and others to clarify this issue. 4) He was active again in Antioch in “teaching and preaching.”

E. He had the ability to triumph over weakness through faith.

1. Barnabas was an unusually strong man, but, along with all others, he had his weaknesses.

6 1) Gal 2:11-13: An incident which took place in Antioch reveals his weakness. 2) He was involved in Peter’s hypocrisy.

2. Men of God are great, not because they are perfect, but because they are able to overcome their imperfections through faith in Christ. 1) But, the very disposition that makes a man great in certain areas may leave him vulnerable in others (Peter-a man of action). 2) The fierce, unyielding nature that qualifies a man to be so effective in fighting error on the one hand, may leave him insensitive to the weaknesses and difficulties of his fellowman on the other. 3) Barnabas’ disposition, that qualified him on the one hand to be a great exhorter, may have been the very factor that made him susceptible to the weakness displayed in this passage. 4) But, regardless of the cause of the weakness, we recognize Barnabas as one who was able to triumph through Christ.

3. This incident well illustrates the fact that any good character trait must be balanced and tempered with other qualities, or else it can become a hindrance to right action. 1) When he sided with Peter in the disagreement in Antioch - he may simply have been giving Peter the benefit of the doubt, too generous to question Peter’s motives.

V. BARNABAS, THE ENCOURAGER OF MARK (Acts 15:36-41) SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY (CONFLICT OVER JOHN MARK))

A. On the first missionary journey, Mark had left the work at Perga and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13).

1. 36-38: Consequently, Paul was unwilling to take Mark on the second trip, even though Barnabas wanted to. 1) 39-41: The disagreement was so sharp that Barnabas and Paul separated, Paul taking Silas with him and Barnabas, Mark.

2. They agree to disagree. 1) They drop the matter and do not nag each other. 2) 1Cor.9:6: Paul later alludes to Barnabas in a most pleasant way, showing that he bore no resentment and that Barnabas was still at work. 3) Luke drops Barnabas from the story, for he will follow Paul. 4) Col.4:10: He and Paul still remain close.

7 3. A good exhorter has to “believe in people” (1 Cor 13:4-7). 1) He must expect the very best in those whom he seeks to change. 2) He defended John Mark and was willing to give him another chance. 3) Barnabas’ faith in Mark proved to be well founded.

4. Who was right in this controversy between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark? 1) You might desire to accept Paul’s position on this point. 2) Barnabas had a marvelous, almost unreal, faith in his brother in the Lord. 3) Such confidence changed what might have been John Mark’s weakness and caused even Paul to recognize his change (Phile 24; Col 4:10; 2 Tim 4:11). 4) Perhaps it took being humiliated by Paul’s refusal to take him along. 5) 1 Pet 5:13: Later he will be of service to Peter. 6) A young servant can overcome his failings.

CONCLUSION

1. The character of Barnabas.

1. Unselfishness, generosity.

2. Eagerness to believe that best in people and situations (Paul, Peter, Mark).

3. Trustworthy and dependable – sent on important missions. 1) To investigate events in Antioch. 2) To carry relief to Jerusalem. 3) To preach on a missionary journey with Paul. 4) To discuss the circumcision issue at Jerusalem. 5) To report the results of the meeting at Jerusalem to the church in Antioch.

4. He was a “faithful” man. 1) He was “beloved” – a man people would listen to and have confidence in. 2) He could get along with people, commanding their respect and their cooperation.

5. He was a humble man.

2. It would have been a pleasure to work with Barnabas.

1. We need more “encouraging” Christians like him, and fewer “discouraging” ones (Num 32:7). 1) Christians are saved people with the greatest hope of all.

8 2) Let us fill our character and lives with good will, joy, confidence and hope. 3) Let us be encouragers – then we will see the local churches grow!

3. Do you recall a Barnabas (or more) in your life?

1. Those who helped us in our weaker and more difficult moments. 1) Yes, the church needs more Barnabas’ – qualities are needed in every age.

4. Are you a Barnabas?

1. Or, are you more like those who are discouragers – whine and complain, faulting nearly everything that is done? 1) People who are negligent, indifferent, hypocritical, envious, filled with personal gripes and bitterness about life and things that happened to them.

5. Barnabas’ character combined and balanced two important traits:

1. Strength of conviction (Eph 4:15). 2. A warm, personal love for people (1 Cor 13:2).