Son
of Encouragement
(Exhortation - October 2004)
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 reconciler, 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 and fine-tuning
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. The trio
embarked upon a comprehensive preaching campaign on Cyprus, the home territory
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 on their travels. 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.
Bob Green