Barnabas

Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4:36-37 (ESV)

He comes on the scene here in Acts 4. We know very little about him. His real name is Joseph and he’s a Levite from Cyprus who the apostles renamed son of encouragement. There is very little about him in the New Testament and yet this son of encouragement casts his shadow across the pages of scripture at the church’s infancy.

Here’s what scripture tells us about his activities:

After Paul’s conversion he comes to Jerusalem but the church will have nothing to do with him out of fear. It’s Barnabas who vouches for Paul and puts people’s fears to rest. (Acts 9:27)

When word reaches Jerusalem that a church of Gentiles has sprung up in Antioch, they send Barnabas to see what God is doing. When he reaches Antioch and meets with the church he rejoices at what God is doing and encourages them to continue in their faith. (Acts 11:22-23)

When Barnabas needs help in Antioch, he goes to Tarsus and literally hunts down Paul. He saw something in Paul that he felt would help build this church in Antioch. They minister together there for a year. (Acts 11:25-26)

When the church at Antioch decides to send an offering to assist the Christians in Judea, they pick Barnabas and Paul to deliver it. (Acts 11:29-30)

It is Barnabas and Paul who are chosen to leave Antioch and preach the Gospel elsewhere. It is fair to say that the Spirit chooses them to be the first missionaries.

(Acts 13:2-3)

Paul and Barnabas defend their Gentile converts from the claims of the circumcision party.

(Acts 15:2-12)

Paul and Barnabas disagree over John Mark to the point they decide they should go their separate ways. Barnabas takes John Mark and returns to Cyprus. (Acts 15:39)

While he’s not mentioned in 2 Timothy 4, Barnabas’ shadow should not be missed in Paul’s request to bring a “profitable” Mark. Whatever Barnabas saw in a young Mark became reality under the mentoring of Barnabas and he went from someone Paul felt was unprofitable in ministry to someone Paul mentions by name near the end of his life.

I think I make the Gospel ministry too complicated sometimes. Clearly communicating that Jesus is the only way to salvation is the heart and soul of the Gospel, but the gospel is so much more. Sometimes a good word of encouragement may be what’s needed. Do my words build up or tear down? Barnabas stands as a shining example of a godly life in action speaking the truth in love. Am I an agent of encouragement to those around me?