Barnabas: An Encourager

Barnabas: An Encourager

A noticeable trait of Barnabas, a prominent Christian in the New Testament, is that he seeks out and assists others. He does this to the point that he is fondly nicknamed Son of Encouragement (Acts 4:37),  The Biblical text highlights this twice with Saul/Paul (9:26-28; 11:25-26), once concerning the vibrant church in Antioch, Syria (11:19-30) and once in connection with his younger kinsman, John Mark (15:36-41). It is also interesting that some of these mentioned are believers who run a bit against the grain of mainstream thought and action. Yet, instead of ostracizing them, Barnabas in the image and tradition of Jesus  deliberately encounters them, listens to them and welcomes them warmly.

Acts introduces Saul as a persecutor of believers (Acts 7:58; 8:1-3; 9:2), to the extent of obtaining letters of authorization from the high priest in Jerusalem to officials in Damascus synagogues authorizing him to bind and arrest new believers and bring them to Jerusalem. It is while he is on this road to Damascus, that he has a literally blinding conversion experience with the risen Lord and becomes a believer himself. Acting upon his new belief, he starts preaching that Jesus is the Son of God in the Damascus synagogues (9:1-20).  His sudden change of character and bold preaching lead his former colleagues and conspirators, to conspire to kill him.The disciples in Jerusalem fearfully avoid him, not believing he really is a believer (9:26). It is here that Luke writes: “But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus” (9:27). It is Barnabas who seeks out Saul, and exhibits personal courage risking his life and reputation. Barnabas brings Saul to the apostles. His ethical attitude of listening, testing what he hears Saul say, and then acting with courage and nobility is consistent in the texts about him.

Some time later,  it is Barnabas among the chosen to go to Antioch, Syria, to investigate the reports of believing Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) worshiping together. He goes and when Barnabas arrives in Antioch, he displays the same characteristics he exhibited in earlier stories: he acts openly, listens and makes ethical decisions. The text says that when he “saw the grace of God, he rejoiced” (Acts 11:23). This shows Barnabas as a man of honorable character. He sees that they, like himself and other Jewish converts, believed and he sees this as evidence of the work and grace of God. He tells the Antioch believers “to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion” (11:23). Yet, it is here that he seeks out Saul – yet again (Acts 11:25-26). Barnabas’s action shows his humility and discernment. The text indicates that Barnabas’s overriding concerns were the needs of the people and the furtherance of the gospel. Luke gives no indication of jealousy on Barnabas’s part, only an indication of his desire to promote the name of the Lord Jesus and gladly let's Saul teach (Acts 11:26). It must have been a glorious and fruitful time for both congregation and teachers. 

There are several other encounters and mentions of Barnabas in Acts. I encourage you to read them all. In them we find his goodness, faith, big-heartedness, courage, generosity, humbleness, self-sacrifice, open-mindedness, boldness and the fact the he was full of the Holy Spirit – stamped on other believers. 

What would our world be like, if we followed his example?

Jim