Barnabas

Encourage

Acts 9:26–31 “26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. 29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. 31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”

14 facts to know about Barnabas

1. Barnabas was from Cyprus

Acts 4:36 tells us that Barnabas lived on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. He probably heard the gospel when he visited Jerusalem for Pentecost.

2. His real name was Joseph

Joseph is a Hebrew name meaning he will add or increase. But because Barnabas was notable for encouraging others, the disciples nicknamed him Barnabas, meaning the son of encouragement. (See Acts 4:36.)

3. He was a Levite

According to Acts 4:36, Barnabas belonged to the tribe of Levi. Levites were responsible for sanctuary services. Most likely, Barnabas was a teacher of the law in a synagogue in Cyprus.

4. He supported the early Church

Barnabas sold a piece of land and “brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:37). And to avoid burdening the churches by asking them for support, he worked to support himself while in ministry. (See 1 Corinthians 9:6.)

5. He recommended Paul

After Paul’s dramatic conversion, the believers were hesitant to take him in because he was formerly a persecutor of the saints. Barnabas took Paul to the apostles and recommended him saying how Paul had “seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus” (Acts 9:27).

6. He was a preacher

The Church leaders in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch to strengthen the members in the faith. He encouraged them to “continue with the Lord” and “a great many people were added to the Lord.” The reason for Barnabas’ great success as a preacher was that he was a “good man, full of the Holy Spirit, and of faith” (Acts 11:24).

7. He brought Paul to Antioch

After ministering in Antioch, Acts 11:25-26 says that Barnabas decided to get Paul who had been sent to Tarsus when his enemies tried to kill him. When Barnabas had found Paul, he brought him to Antioch where they worked together for a whole year, teaching the people.

8. He modeled Christ

Through Barnabas’ ministry with Paul, the believers in Antioch learned to be like Jesus in their words, actions and overall conduct. In fact, Barnabas and Paul were so much like Christ, that early “Christ-followers” were called Christians for the first time in Antioch. (See Acts 11:26.)

9. He was trustworthy

A great famine broke out in Jerusalem and the believers chose to send aid through Barnabas and Paul. This choice signified how much the believers trusted Barnabas and Paul and that they would deliver the aid as intended. (See Acts 11:27-30).

10. He had a special calling

Acts 13:2-5 shows how the Holy Spirit separated Barnabas and Paul for a special work as missionaries, while they prayed and fasted with other believers in Antioch. After being ordained by the laying on of hands, Barnabas and Paul left on their first missionary journey together.

11. He was mistakenly called Jupiter

While at Lystra, Barnabas and Paul healed a crippled man but the citizens mistook them for their gods, they called Barnabas Jupiter and Paul Mercury. (See Acts 14:12.)

12. He was a leader

Barnabas was among the delegates who attended the Jerusalem council to discuss how to transition the new gentile believers into the early Church. In fact, Acts 15:12 shows how he and Paul shared their testimony of God working among the gentiles.

13. He was a mentor

In Barnabas' and Paul’s second missionary journey, Barnabas’ cousin, called John Mark, wanted to accompany them. Paul refused since John Mark had abandoned them on their first missionary journey when things got tough. But Barnabas took John Mark and nurtured him while Paul continued with Silas. Barnabas did such a good job with John Mark that Paul later asked Timothy to take Mark to him, since he had become useful to him in ministry. (See Colossians 4:10; Acts 13:5; 15:37-39; 2 Timothy 4:11.)

In Barnabas, we find an excellent example of a Christian mentor. He encouraged Paul and believed in him when no one else trusted him after his conversion. Barnabas also provided Paul with opportunities to minister in Antioch and traveled with Paul on their first missionary journey.

Barnabas was even willing to let Paul advance as he moved on to encourage the next mentee who needed his support—John Mark.

And for both Paul and John Mark, Barnabas did an excellent job in preparing them for ministry. In fact, Paul ended up being more prominent than Barnabas and by the end of their missionary journey in Acts 15:2, they were no longer referred to as Barnabas and Paul. Instead, they were called Paul and Barnabas.

Encourage others

Like Barnabas, we too can be a source of encouragement to others in their journey through life. And by God’s grace, we can point them to Jesus and help them grow in ministry just as others have held our hands through different stages in our own lives.

Hebrews 3:13 “13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

Hebrews 10:24–25 “24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

1.   Share your excitement in the Lord with others.

Simply share with others the ways you see God working in your heart, ways he has answered your prayers or has been providing for your needs.

2.   Thank others who encourage you with their excitement in the Lord.

In thanking others for encouraging you, you’re actually encouraging them to continue encouraging others.  This creates a cycle of encouragement.

3.   Let people know what God has recently done for you.

We believe in a God who is sovereign over all things, so it’s good to recognize some of the infinite ways he is working in our lives and then boast in him.

4.   Share with others what God has been showing you in his Word.

5.   Point out ways you see others growing in the Lord.

Recognizing and sharing ways you see others growing in their walk with God helps them notice things they themselves may have taken for granted.

6.   Thank others for specific ways their actions have pointed you to Christ.

Many of us have people in our lives who help us feel closer to Jesus after having spent time with them. Some of them do this without even realizing that God is using them this way. Encourage them by sharing the ways you see them doing this.

7.   Acknowledge that God has given the giftedness you see in others.

The Bible is clear that we are all given gifts meant for building up the body of Christ. Taking the time to recognize those gifts in others makes them want to use them more.

8.   If someone is hurting, take the time to pray with them right then and there.

Taking the extra minute or two to pray for someone in the moment (rather than telling them as you walk away that you will pray for them) is always an encouragement. Pray for them in the moment when you’re able.

9.   Share your own struggles and how they have grown your dependence on God.

Most people value transparency. Being transparent with our weaknesses gives us the perfect opportunity to boast in God’s strength.

10.  Help others see how God’s Word speaks into their current situation.

Pointing others to the relevance of God’s Word encourages them to continue to seek God’s wisdom and direction in the future.