Paul & Barnabas

Everyone needs discipleship!

As we start to talk about discipleship, let me ask: Who needs to be discipled?

Everyone!

We think that the person that needs discipleship must not know as much as their mentor.

Paul and Barnabus show us this is not the case.

What do we know about Saul?

Knew the law

A “Pharisee’s Pharisee”

Had exceptional knowledge of the Jewish faith

He persecuted Christians and was on the Road to Damascus to arrest/kill Christians

In Acts, we learn Paul’s Conversion Story

Acts 9:1–6 CSB

1 Now Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest 2 and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4 Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul said. “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Ananias restored his vision, then he went and got baptized.

Why is it important that we know Saul as well as we do Paul?

We all have Saul and Paul in us

It shows that restoration is possible

If people think they must be Paul to be saved/be useful to God, we’re all in trouble!

In Acts 9:26-27 we meet Barnabas.

Acts 9:26–27 CSB

26 When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. 27 Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.

Barnabus “vouched” for Saul when the disciples were scared of him. Who do we need to “vouch” for?

Those who are “undesirable” to the church

Those who have been hurt by the church

Those who don’t “do church” the same way we do

Barnabas was an encourager. In fact, his name MEANS “son of encouragement” Acts 11:22-24

Acts 11:22–24 CSB

22 News about them reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel as far as Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord.

Don’t we need encouragement. Don’t those who are actively trying to spread the Gospel need encouragement? Why?

Barnabas spent time with Saul, preparing him for what was to come next. Acts 11:25-26

Acts 11:25–26 CSB

25 Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul, 26 and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.

Discipleship will take time. Sometimes the best way to disciple someone is not with curriculum or planned discussions, but by spending time and showing them by your actions.

Why is this sometimes hard?

Paul and Barnabas become missionaries.

Acts 13:1–3 CSB

1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off.

They risked their lives boldly proclaiming Jesus to some powerful and dangerous people. They traveled through Asia Minor, took John Mark with them for a time, and eventually returned.

After this, Barnabas would take John Mark as a disciple (always the encourager, but Paul blamed John Mark for leaving them) and Paul would disciple Silas and more famously Timothy.

Application

Paul needed to be discipled, despite the fact that he was an “expert” in the Jewish religion. What did he need from Barnabus?

To learn about Jesus

Encouragement/Support

How to be an encourager

Someone to “keep him honest”

The last point shows us that a disciple does not have to see eye to eye on everything.

Are there points that you disagree with the church on?

What benefit is there to having friends who don’t see everything the same way as you?

The fact that Paul took on Silas/Timothy while Barnabus took on John Mark shows us that discipleship is not a lifetime appointment, even though learning is a lifetime process.

Why is this an important concept to understand?

Parting ways does not mean that you can’t be at peace with people, care about people, and want the best for people.

We can disagree with the trivial, as long as we agree on what’s actually important. What are those points?

Jesus as Lord and Savior

Loving people

Spreading the Gospel

Etc...

Next Week: Everyone can disciple someone. What is your gift?