Barnabas, This Lovely Name meaning ‘son of consolation,’ is a singularly appropriate name for a disciple of the Lord Jesus in any age. But it truly expressed the supportive and encouraging service given by this disciple we find in Acts. Not everyone has the ability to be a Paul or Peter but we can all be a source of encouragement to our brothers and sisters. In this respect we can learn much from Barnabas.
We find the first mention of this man early in the book of Acts, in the context of a vibrant, quickly multiplying church where the members anticipated the imminent return of the Lord Jesus. Barnabas set an example of faith and generosity in selling the land he owned and giving the proceeds to the apostles. He might have kept the land to provide for his old age, establish a home when he eventually married, or kept part of the sale proceeds for his own needs. Instead, we have an example of the teaching of the master put into action:
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through nor steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light (Matt. 6:19-22).
The needs of the expanding community of believers took precedence over the acquisition of treasures for Barnabas. Truly his eye was ‘single’ in that the light of the gospel had permeated through to his whole being.
Conversion of a fanatic
Although the dreadful persecution of Christians, subsequent to the murder of Stephen, resulted in the widespread scattering of the Jerusalem ecclesia, some of the apostles and Barnabas remained in the city. Thus it was that after the dramatic events on the road to Damascus, followed by a period of solitude in Arabia and three years of preaching in Damascus, Saul of Tarsus came to Jerusalem and found a nucleus of Christian leaders. Naturally there was much skepticism and suspicion when this notorious persecutor presented himself as a convert to the faith.
Additional insight into the caliber of Barnabas can be gathered from his courageous response and interaction with Saul. He had the ability to suppress fear, objectively listen, and observe. Using these qualities, he quietly assessed the character of Saul, noticing the sincerity of the transformation and how it conformed to the reports received from Ananias and other brethren in Damascus. Being convinced that the amazing conversion was part of God’s plan, Barnabas acted as guarantor for Saul.
The ready acceptance by the early church of their former enemy demonstrates the respect Barnabas commanded. Such was the faith and confidence in his judgement that Saul was welcomed into their ranks and arrangements made for him to stay with Peter (consider how much they had to discuss!). So the Lord used Barnabas the listener, the reconcile, a brother with insight and belief in the possibility of repentance and change, to further the special purpose he had with Saul.
Spreading the gospel
Directly initiated and guided by the Lord, the precedent for baptizing Gentiles had already been set with Peter’s preaching and baptizing of Cornelius and his family. Interestingly this did not lead to an organized campaign in the surrounding Gentile lands. Providentially the gospel began to be preached in these areas as a result of the Jewish Diaspora. When the news of the tremendous response to the word in Antioch reached Jerusalem, it was apparent that help was needed.
It would not be a routine experience, however, to visit a newly formed ecclesia consisting mainly of recent converts from gross idolatry (this can be clearly seen from the problems engendered at Corinth). Someone must be found equipped with a strong personality modified by tact and discretion. Who better to fit the bill than Barnabas?
The wisdom of this choice can be seen by his reaction upon reaching the scene: “When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts” (Acts 11:23 NIV).
There must have been many things that required adjusting in this ecclesia of raw recruits but Barnabas did not find fault or criticize. Not for him the attitude of the important man from head office sent to take charge and put everything right; rather he saw evidence of the grace of God and took the opportunity to provide not only practical help but also to encourage and exhort them. One cannot help wondering whether we would have behaved with such balanced self-control in a situation so delicate!
Sharing the load
Speaking of the character of Barnabas the scriptural record states: “For he was a good man, and full of the holy spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord” (Acts 11:24). We sometimes say that someone is ‘good’ in a very casual way. Paul, however, incorporated goodness as part of the fruits of the spirit along with kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Barnabas was a good man in that lovely spiritual sense. Another aspect of his personality is that he recognized his limitations; he traveled to Syria to seek Saul who had been preaching there and persuaded him to accompany him back to Antioch, where together they taught many people. Wise brothers, like Barnabas, do not try to do it all themselves.
After the two were entrusted with the relief fund contributed by the Antioch ecclesia, Barnabas, although he was named first as the senior figure, allowed Saul to address the elders in Judea. He was not concerned that another took the lead and might take the credit for their work; his only focus was to serve the Lord. Evidence that this is a correct assessment is seen during the first missionary journey.
Once again the record names Barnabas first, adding that he took his cousin John Mark along. They embarked upon a preaching effort on Cyprus, the home of Barnabas. Yet it is Saul (now called Paul), who interacted with the proconsul and struck the interfering sorcerer with blindness (Acts 13:4-12).
John Mark returned to Jerusalem while “Paul and his company…” continued. In the wonderfully blessed preaching that followed throughout Galatia, it is Paul who took the lead with Barnabas in the supportive role. He was at Paul’s side all through this dangerous mission and we can be sure that a brother with his spirit and faith must have been a great help to the less experienced disciple — instructing, baptizing and appointing elders in four new ecclesias.
It must have been two exhausted but satisfied missionaries who gave the report of their journey to the church at Antioch. During the ensuing interval, an unfortunate incident occurred. Some forceful brethren visited Antioch, falsely claiming to have been sent by James. They preached circumcision and refused to eat with uncircumcised Gentile believers. Peter succumbed to the pressure and was publicly rebuked by Paul who must have been even more distressed to find that Barnabas had also been carried away (Gal. 2:11-16). Yes, such stalwarts as Peter and Barnabas could make wrong judgments but they learned from their mistakes. At the subsequent conference in Jerusalem (Acts 15) Peter used Paul’s reasoned arguments against those who were demanding that Gentile believers be circumcised. Then Paul and Barnabas were unanimous in reporting the positive response of the Gentiles. “And then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them” (Acts 15:12).
Contention laid to rest
The final mention of Barnabas is the painful narrative of the contention over John Mark (Acts 15:36-40). Barnabas was keen to give his cousin another chance to prove his worth at preaching but Paul was loath to take someone who had abandoned them on their last mission. Feeling that John Mark had great potential and desiring to encourage his development, Barnabas insisted, whereas Paul resisted. “And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other; and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; and Paul chose Silas, and departed…” (Acts 15:39-40). No doubt both of them had legitimate reasons for their strong viewpoint, nevertheless, brethren must learn the art of compromise.
Happily, Paul came to recognize and appreciate the talents and usefulness of Mark, requesting his presence at a time of great personal need: “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is profitable to me for the ministry” (II Tim. 4:11). How refreshing to find that Barnabas had not sown seeds of resentment toward Paul in his young cousin.
What a wonderful example we find in Barnabas. The Lord’s ecclesia today needs brothers and sisters who are likewise sons and daughters of encouragement.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One