Devotional Reading: Hebrews 10:19-25. 

Background Scripture: Acts 4:32-37; 9:26;11:19-30; 15:36-41. 

Printed Text: Acts 4:32-37; 9:26;11:19-30; 15:36-41. 

Golden Text: Acts 11:23-24

" When he (Barnabas) arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad...He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith." 

Bible Lesson: 

Although Barnabas's proper name is Joseph, he comes to be known almost exclusively by his nickname, which means "son of consolation", "son of encouragement", or "son of exhortation." Barnabas, as a Levite, is of the ancient priestly tribe of Israel. Cyprus, his home, is a large island about one hundred miles off the coast. Barnabas like others in the early church were noted for their generosity and had a common treasury through which to care for the needs of its members. Laying the money at the apostles' feet is the method of sharing this offering. 

As we move from Acts 4 to Acts 9, at least three years have passed. Saul, the chief prosecutor of the Christians is converted and returns to Jerusalem. Saul tried to join the Christian disciples, but they were understandably suspicious of him. Barnabas is the one willing to take this former enemy of the church and introduce him to the apostles. Barnabas tells them about Saul's vision and courageous preaching in the days after his conversion. 

In Chapter 11 of Acts, the church in Antioch is growing as many Gentiles are converted. Barnabas was selected by the church in Jerusalem to go to Antioch and investigate. The encouragement Barnabas receives in Antioch leads him to encourage others there in return. he is certain that these conversions are genuine. He began to preach and teach for the church in Antioch and he was described as being full of the Holy Spirit. The result of his ministry was more converts to the Lord. After leaving Antioch, Barnabas goes to Tarsus to look for Saul. He brought Saul back with him to Antioch and they work successfully there for a year. It was here that the term Christians was given to the disciples of Christ. 

Many things happened between Acts 11 and Acts 15. Barnabas and Saul have completed a missionary journey and returned to Antioch. From there they traveled to Jerusalem to participate in the Jerusalem Conference. Saul is now known as Paul. Paul wants to go back to the churches he and Barnabas had planted on their first missionary journey and to encourage them. Barnabas wants to take along his relative John Mark. We don't know why, but Mark had left them during that journey. Paul sees this as a desertion and believes that this disqualifies him for this trip. This disagreement was so intense that they went their own way and Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus. Silas takes Barnabas's place as Paul's traveling companion. The work of encouraging and strengthening the churches continued.

Life application: 

Barnabas is an example of a Christian and a missionary. His name denotes who he was and he lived up to this name. He was described as an encourager, a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and faith. His actions also demonstrated that he was a generous man and courageous man. As Christians should do, he shared not only his money, but his time, and talents. He sold his property and gave the money for the use of the apostles, not questioning how they would use it but "laid it at their feet." He demonstrated his courage by standing up to those who would judge Saul and testified to how God had converted Saul and used him to God's glory. Through this simple act of courage of conviction he changed the course of the Christian church forever. He not only spoke up for Saul, but he sought him out and encouraged him on their missionary journeys. He also encouraged the work of the other struggling churches and disciples. Even when he and Paul disagreed Barnabas went on to mentor another young Christian and continue the work of the Lord. 

Barnabas is truly a model for us all as we make decisions about our work for the Lord. It would be interesting to see what adjectives people would give to describe us, better yet how would God describe us. As Christians whatever our service and however God chooses to use us, we should also encourage one another. We all have different roads to travel and may not always agree on which way to go, but in the service of the Lord we all need encouragement. We need to build each other up and not tear each other down. We need to find the good in each other and encourage that goodness to God's service. We all have something to contribute as we go about the charge of leading others to Christ. It may often be a difficult journey, but it will always be a blessing if we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and direct us in glorifying Him. 

Let's pray for one another. Say an encouraging word to one another and serve joyously with one another.