Perhaps they believed him to be dead. Barnabas was a man full of the power of the Holy Spirit, full of faith, and full of encouragement and generosity forothers. He was certainly an encourager. Who was the apostle that Barnabas traveled with? Mother taught us never to accept pay for a kindness., The lad said, Then I thank you from my heart.. A multitude of devout Jews from several regions began to congregate, and though they spoke different languages, they could each understand what the others were saying, as clearly as if theyd grown up in the same household. When the brethren of Antioch needed faith-building reassurance, Barnabas was there. Here are three things that we can learn from the life of Barnabas: 1. Each generation [in the ongoing march of the church] needs more saints like Barnabas people who give generously, and encourage others to persevere in the faith. While Saul was on a journey, Jesus Christ confronted him and performed a miracle in which Saul was struck temporarily blind. We can learn about the society where the ancient Israelites, and later Jesus and the Apostles, lived through the modern discoveries that provide us clues. Called Christians by Divine Providence When he heard the name of the town from which she came, he immediately went to the room where she lay. Luke says. I believe Barnabas was one who drank deeply from the well of Gods grace and goodness, and being blessed and encouraged by the Lord, was motivated to do the same to others. She thought he looked hungry, and so she brought him a large glass of milk. FREE ebook: Paul: Jewish Law and Early Christianity. Worst betrayals:Barnabas briefly lapses into hypocrisy with Peter in Syrian Antioch. Several disciples waited with them, and all had the same focus and faith in preparation for what was to come. Instead, Paul finally steps up to the destiny the Lord foretold at his conversion back in Acts 9:15-16. When Saul was safely delivered from Damascus, he returned to Jerusalem (verse 26) and upon his arrival in Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples there. Out of stock. Barnabas must have felt strongly that his cousin deserved another opportunity, but Paul wasnt eager to take him since he hadnt completed the first journey with them. Paul was man then be was born of water and the spirit and because an appostle and therethrougb the circumcision is of the flesh, not the spirit. In Acts 4:37 we learn that Barnabas owned some land. Bottom line: It takes years of apprenticeship under Barnabas before Saul finally becomes Paul. BARNABAS br' n bs (, Gr. He believed that God is able to transform persons who come to the Lord Jesus in faith and repentance. Saul would never have become Paul without spending several years apprenticing under Barnabas. With surprise, the church members noticed what appeared to be flames of fire dancing and hovering over each of their heads, yet the flames did not give off heat or cause any burns. When Barnabas was a child, his name was Joses - but later on he was given the name Barnabas because that name meant encourager. Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/Pixelheadphoto. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. It is good to note here, that any leader who realizes his limitations, and is willing to bring in an associate to help shows the marks of wisdom and of an unselfish spirit. After establishing and strengthening new church members in Derbe, Paul and Barnabas desired to encourage the members back in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch (in Pisidia)the very places they had been persecuted by unbelievers and, in Pauls case, stoned. Paul was concerned about the welfare of the new believers, and he wanted to check up on their progress. Barnabas' first act on encouragement was witnessed in his willingness to give of his own resources for the benefit of others; specifically, we are told he "owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet" (Acts 4:37). As for the contradictions of Paul. Peter answered, Change who you used to be now that you know the truth. Barnabas: A Forgiving Brother (Acts 15:36-41), 1) Barnabas: a generous giver (Acts 4:36-37), 2) Barnabas: a faithful friend (Acts 9:26-27), 3) Barnabas: a committed encourager (Acts 11:22-26), 4) Barnabas: a forgiving brother (Acts 15:36-41). By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. COPYRIGHT 2023 BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY 5614 Connecticut Ave NW #343, Washington DC 20015-2604. However, bighearted Barnabas took Saul and brought him to the apostles (verse 27) and told them about Sauls conversion, and how he preached boldly in Damascus. Factoid: Examples of name changes are recorded among servants of God throughout the Bible. Some ardently believed that to become members of the new Church the gentile converts needed to be circumcised according to the Jewish tradition originally given to Abraham. But Barnabas comes back alongside Mark, encourages him, and enlists him back into the Lords service. Saul (who later became Paul) was converted on his way to Damascus. According to early traditions that are not recorded in the Bible, Barnabas was taught by Gamaliel and became a follower of Jesus. That is when the two had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company (Acts 15:39). Still, it appears the quarrel resolved itself over time. These are tremendous words of exhortation for Gods people in every age. Barnabas was an encourager of Saul, who later became a dynamic leader in the early church. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him) (Colossians 4:10). Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. When the early Church began to form in Jerusalem, Barnabas was there. When Barnabas became a Christian, he sold his land and gave the money to the Jerusalem Apostles. Imagine being in Jerusalem observing the holy day when the house youre meeting in begins to rumble and you hear the sound of the rushing mighty wind (Acts 2:2). Robin Gallaher Branch is professor of Biblical studies at Victory University (formerly Crichton College) in Memphis, Tennessee, and Extraordinary Associate Professor in the Faculty of Theology at North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa. Expelled finally by the Jewish leaders for their work with the Gentiles, they moved on to spread the gospel in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, eventually back to Antioch. Then again, given the Paul-centric purpose of Lukes Acts of the Apostles, Barnabas walks off the stage. Pause for thought: Would you have trustedSaul? would u read and believe original barnabas bible? John 20:19-31. Were not told in Scripture why Barnabas stepped aside in deference to Paul, but this pattern continued in later cities and Barnabas appears to have humbly and graciously accepted his new role. His teacher said to him, "You are a dummy. Would he have done these things just once or often? Barnabas gives the gift without stipulations and for the use of the community. He was overflowing with faith he had strong convictions and a settled confidence in the reliability of Gods Word. Barnabas. It was late spring in Jerusalem. How blessed we are because of the people like Barnabas in our lives. Evidently he tried to convert Saul, also Gamaliels pupil, but Saul rejected his teaching and chose instead to persecute the new believers. She received her Ph.D. in Hebrew Studies from the University of Texas in Austin in 2000. But God chose to do something extraordinary with Saul. $4.50 4 Used from $4.19 9 New from $2.66. Churches and Christians need people like Barnabas, who will stand with them, give them wise counsel, and encourage them in their walk with the Lord. Also known as Joseph, Barnabas was Jewish and a member of the Christian community in Jerusalem. On a missionary journey with Paul to Lystra, a miracle takes placea lame man walks!and the astonished people call Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes, because Paul was the chief speaker (Acts 14:1113). Add to Wish List. You could even compile words and phrases into a small booklet and give it to someone as a very special gift. As a Levite who owned property, he heeded the words of Jesus in Matthew 19:21, when Jesus told the young man of wealth how to get eternal life: Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Sign up to receive our email newsletter and never miss an update. Biblical Archaeology Review is the guide on that fascinating journey. And, of course, it was on Barnabass introduction that Paul was first welcomed into the Jewish Christian apostolic sphere in Jerusalem upon Pauls conversion. Many additional signs and wonders were being reported, and God continued to bless the early Church with dynamic growth, faith, and power. Here, the word encourage translates the Greek verb parakaleo, which means to call to ones side.[3] The picture is that of one person who comes alongside others and encourages them to accomplish a task or finish a race. By about 58 C.E., Roman officials knew very well who the Christians were. All rights reserved. But some of the Jews were envious that this message was being preached to gentiles. Does anyone know if there is one available? It takes the Lord's help to stay steady. Hebrews 10:24-25 PROLOGUE It was late spring in Jerusalem. In Jerusalem:Sometime later, the church in Syrian Antioch sent a generous financial gift, by Barnabas and Saul, to the poor Judean Christians facing a terrible famine (Acts 11:27-30). From that day, Kelly gave special attention to the case, and the woman recovered and was able to go home. Access to 50+ curated Special Collections. A disciple is one who learns from or adheres to the teachings of Jesus Christ, while an apostle is a disciple called to a higher office of responsibility and authority. Galatians 2:13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. She read these words: Paid in full with one glass of milk.. It may be that the apostles who gave Joseph the name Barnabas, saw all of these qualities in his character. All rights reserved. Can you describe what you might have experienced and seen? You will always be a dummy. The Cypriot Orthodox Church has a long tradition that Lazarus settled in Cyprus. From then on, a radical transformation began to occur in Sauls heart. According to the New International Encyclopedia of Bible Characters, Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus who led not only Jews but many Gentiles to the Christian faith. Barnabas was a kindly person, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. But the apostles renamed him . He didnt show spontaneity by that act, but knowledge and faithfulness. If you were describing Leonardo di Vinci, you might start with, "He was a great artist." If you were describing Galileo, you would say, "He was a brilliant scientist." Let's look at the first words that the Bible speaks about Barnabas. All of us can speak words and so all of us have the power to encourage or discourage others. Instead, Barnabas gesture sparkles with spontaneity and joy. But Barnabas had quietly been studying Saul and determining his motives, collecting information and discerning his actions. He urged the crowd to have faith and then gave evidence that the man named Jesus who had been crucified was in fact the Son of God. The Encourager. Paul left for his journey with Silas instead, and Barnabas traveled with John Mark back to Cyprus. Barnabas obeys the Holy Spirits call to active missionary service. Though he had roots in Cyprus (an island located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea), he knew that Jerusalem was where he needed to be. Barnabas takes the lead, Saul works shoulder to shoulder with him, and John Mark is invited to come along as their assistant. The given name of Barnabas was Joseph (Acts 4:36). Just a few months earlier, angry mobs and a mockery of justice had condemned Jesus Christ to die the most uncivilized death known in the Roman Empire. The Bible first mentions Barnabas in Acts Chapter 4 . It also says he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord (Acts 11:23-24, NLT). Acts 11:24 describes him as "a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.". Barnabas was a man of financial means as he owned land, perhaps on the island of Cyprus. He was a Levite from Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean Sea, about 60 miles off the coast of Israel. The text gives no indication that Barnabas gift responded to a call from church leadership for money. Most of book of Acts focused on a couple of the "big guns" of our faith - Peter & Paul (mostly Paul) - & rightfully so. In Scripture, we learn that God the Father is described as the God of all grace (1 Pet 5:10), Who sits upon a throne of grace (Heb 4:16), Who gives grace to the afflicted (Prov 3:34), and provides salvation by grace through faith in Jesus (Eph 2:8-9; cf. As far as I know, he never performed any miracles. 5 Examples in Everyday Life, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God, 7 Scriptures That Show How Important Grandparents Are, Top 20 Most Popular Bible Verses from Scripture, Marriage Isn't the Finish Line, Heaven Is, 3 Reasons Why You're Scared to Accept Grace, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. That resonates with me. 1. God often worked with ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. While the two later disagreed over a ministry colleague and parted ways, their efforts for Jesus netted tremendous results and helped spread the faith far and wide. They remained there for an entire year. He was not driven by personal ambition and selfish desires. given what I have read about Barnabas who I have only just discovered through my bible study group it sounds to me that the spontaneous gesture was made because of his knowledge and faithfulness to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. After muchand sometimes heateddiscussion, the matter was decided and circumcision of the new converts was deemed unnecessary. What we do know about him speaks volumes. Bible Reading: Acts 11. The lesson from various parts of the Book of Acts will focus on some of the key activities in the life and experience of Barnabas. Barnabas: A Faithful Friend (Acts 9:26-27), 3. His future lay with this small but growing group of converts who followed the instructions of Jesus the Christ. He, along with Paul and other Christian leaders of his time, was instrumental in spreading the gospel across the land and converting great numbers, both Jew and Gentile. Barnabas was filled with faith. " Acts 4:36-37; 11:22-26 In our Scripture lessons this morning, we are introduced to a great man named Joseph. Few Christians have contributed more to the advancement of the church than Barnabas. We can each try to be better encouragers by speaking more uplifting words and complainingless. To read part two, click here. He persisted in his work, even after he and Paul parted ways over a quarrel, even after Paul blasted him for going astray from hypocrisy (Galatians 2:13). He was sincere and generous and shared all of his profits, knowing his contribution would be distributed to anyone in need. The generosity of Barnabas was surely a source of encouragement for the folks who were part of the early church. Earlier, they had been called brethren (Acts 1:16), disciples (Acts 6:1), saints (Acts 9:13), and believers (Acts 10:45). And Scripture also reveals these openhanded believers will be rewarded by the Lord in eternity (1 Cor 3:10-15). What would it have felt like to be there? According to Acts 11:23-24, Barnabas was a man full of joy and encouragement. Barnabas would have been comfortable among the Gentiles of Antioch. Were familiar with the 12 apostles of Jesus in the Bible, as well as with Saul, later renamed Paul and responsible for writing most of the books in the New Testament. But Joseph so distinguished himself among the earliest believers that they nicknamed him Barnabas, which in Greek means "Son of Encouragement." Barnabas had a reputation for coming alongside people, especially . This man of uplifting words was nicknamed Barnabas, which means Son ofEncouragement.. Just imagine what those church members must have felt when they saw their steadfast ministers traveling boldly into town! Barnabas: Early Church leader and model of encouragement, Pauls First Missionary Journey through Perga and Pisidian Antioch, explore the route with a web-exclusive slideshow, island jewels: understanding ancient cyprus and crete, http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200270681. We can surmise that Barnabas was likely among the disciples in Jerusalem during this time, no doubt encouraging the apostles and brethren with words of wisdom and faith and serving as needed. Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch to the church members there with a letter from the council containing the encouraging news. Only in heaven will we find out what great things God does through our encouraging actions and words, as Barnabas did. Write it in the style of a modern travel blog, or get creative and vlog it! This Bible History Daily feature was originally published on November 11, 2013. What Does it Mean That God Is Good? A preacher is always happy when he can say those things about a member of his church who has been promoted to the eternal world. In this case, it meant encouraging these Christians to press on and do Gods will. Hebrews 10:24-25. * He could sympathize with the work being done. They could each understand what the others were saying, as clearly as if theyd grown up in the samehousehold. This appears to have been part of his personality and his consistent pattern of behavior. Later, in Acts, were told that the church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch (Acts 11:22), and when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God (Acts 11:23a)theres that grace again!he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord (Acts 11:23b). When Barnabas encouraged the people at Antioch to cleave to the Lord, he was saying, Remain true to the Lord with all your hearts.. Indeed, this penchant for encouragement, support, and generosity would stay with him. Some Christians who were scattered because of persecution (Acts 11:19), went north to Antioch (the third largest city in the Roman Empire, next to Rome and Alexandria), and preached the Gospel to the Jews living in that city. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill on to him for approval. The All-Access membership pass is the way to get to know the Bible through biblical archaeology. Here was their beloved Son of Encouragement and the former persecutor of the Church, Paul, whose conversion was often given as evidence to glorify God (Galatians 1:24). (Acts 26:28) According to the historian Tacitus, by 64 C.E., the name was current among the masses in Rome too. Barnabas is a major influence in my life, people in churches today dont know how to be in encourager. How do you feel when youre discouraged? ~ Galatians 2:9, "My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. Calling him a good man (Acts 11:24), a prophet and teacher (13:1), an apostle (14:14) and one through whom God worked miracles (15:12), Acts loads him with accolades. It would have been nice to have identified the writer of the icon. The Holy Spirit is the parakltos, and we all know how impossible it is to find an adequate word to translate that rich idea.But among its many aspects we must certainly include that of 'encouragement', and it was probably in this sense that the nickname of the Cypriot Levite Joseph was intendedBarnabas, son of paraklsis.For in the part Barnabas played in the early years of the . Barnabas was a generous giver. For what flows down from God to his children, when received with an open heart, will find natural outward expression to others, who will encourage one another and build up one another (1 Th 5:11a), and will encourage one another day after day (Heb 3:13a). How does this Way differ from most forms of Christianity that exist today? Robin Branch posits that Barnabas may have resembled representations of Zeus: middle-aged but physically powerful and muscular man who is both regal and commanding. His real name was Joseph, and Barnabas was a nickname meaning Son of Encouragement. According to the New International Encyclopedia of Bible Characters, Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus who led not only Jews but many Gentiles to the Christian faith. In the Christian Greek Scriptures, the verb used in connection with the new name, generally translated were called, is always associated with something supernatural, oracular, or divine. The task at Antioch was getting too great for Barnabas, and so he went to Tarsus (125 miles northwest of Antioch) to seek for Saul (verse 25). This was an indication of his love for the Lord, and his faith in the people who made up the church. "Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means son of encouragement)" ~ Acts 4:36. In the last section we consider today, Paul suggested to Barnabas that they re-visit the churches which they had established on the first missionary journey (verse 36). 1 John 1:1-2:2. When the brethren of Antioch needed faith-building reassurance, Barnabas was there. They then traveled back to Antioch, their home in Syria. The Bible simply reports that he rose up, and the next day he and Barnabas continued their journey southeast to the city of Derbe (Acts 14:20). [1] To be a son of something meant that one was characterized by the quality of the word that follows. What a powerful influence he had on others. Steven currently serves as professor of Bible and Theology at Tyndale Theological Seminary, and hosts weekly Bible studies at his home in Texas. The life of Victor Sirebianca is a radical illustration of the power of words. The apostles nicknamed him Barnabas, Son of Encouragement (4:36), and it seems like he earned it! They made huge contributions to the . We also learn from other biblical passages that Barnabas was pivotal to the growth of the early church. All rights reserved. from Aram. We first meet Barnabas in the fourth chapter of Acts. Perhaps he was in fact dead and God chose to resurrect him like He had resurrected Lazarus. The text says that Barnabas sold a field which he owned, and gave the proceeds to the Apostles at Jerusalem (verse 37). That got his attention! He sold his field and must have asked himself, How much shall I give to the poor? He decided not to give merely ten percent (or even fifty percent) but the original language indicates that he gave it all to aid the poor in Jerusalem. Through the encouragement of Barnabas, Mark was given a second chance after an abject failure (Acts 13:13; 15:39). Barnabas was an encourager. Record these uplifting words and add other words and phrases that are positive, motivating, and encouraging. They knew what he had done to the church not too long before breathing out threats of murder against new believers. When the early Church began to form in Jerusalem, Barnabas was there. Just a few months earlier, angry mobs and a mockery of justice had condemned Jesus Christ to die the most uncivilized death known in the Roman Empire. Barnabas wasn't even his real name. Barnabas was a learned man, a Jew of the tribe of Levi and therefore well-educated in the Holy Scriptures. Create your own passport (be sure to include a fun photo!) Details of the apostles journey can be found in Acts 13-15. This public gesture and his humbleness stand in sharp contrast to the subsequent Lucan example regarding money: the conniving, lying, hording attitude of Ananias and Sapphira (5:111). Barnabas: A Generous Giver (Acts 4:36-37), 2. (This story is based on several events from Acts 1-15.). One particular individual avidly persecuted the church members by stirring up riots, bursting into homes of believers, and carrying off both men and women to prison. Paul also was convinced that Mark became a mature disciple of Jesus, and wrote to Timothy, encouraging him to come visit him in prison and then he said (in essence), Bring Mark with you because he is useful for ministry (see 2 Timothy 4:11). If such behavior had been practiced by all, there would have been no need to focus on Barnabas and his gracious act. But there are other great men and women of faith also mentioned throughout Scripture, and one of them, Barnabas, was highly influential when it came to sharing the gospel. Read about Pauls First Missionary Journey through Perga and Pisidian Antioch and explore the route with a web-exclusive slideshow in Bible History Daily. Barnabas was a people person and diligently served the early church members with no selfish motives. Instead, both men persevered, and more than half of the New Testament was written by them thirteen epistles written by Paul, and one Gospel written by Mark. It comes from two Greek words: para, "alongside of," and kaleo, "to call." When the matter of the gentile converts was discussed, Barnabas was there. He participates in and reports at the First Jerusalem Council. 1 2 3 4 5 Next Words are powerful tools of influence. Saul began contending for the faith among Greek-speaking Jews (verse 29), but it wasnt long until the brethren shipped him home to Tarsus (verse 30), where he remained for seven or eight years until he was brought back to Antioch to help with the work of the church there. It was while they were there in Antioch that members of the Church were first referred to as Christians (Acts 11:26). Barnabas took John Mark, his cousin, and sailed for Cyprus, while Paul took Silas and headed through Syriaand Cilicia. Barnabas first act on encouragement was witnessed in his willingness to give of his own resources for the benefit of others; specifically, we are told he owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles feet (Acts 4:37). I pray that the qualities demonstrated in the life of Barnabas will more and more be true about each reader of this message. Barnabas had quietly been studying Saul and determining hismotives. Your email address will not be published. Realizing he needed help, Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. Paul insisted that they needed a reliable person who could stand up under persecution and hardship. Each issue of Biblical Archaeology Review features lavishly illustrated and easy-to-understand articles such as: Fascinating finds from the Hebrew Bible and New Testament periods, The latest scholarship by the world's greatest archaeologists and distinguished scholars, Stunning color photographs, informative maps, and diagrams, Reviews of the latest books on biblical archaeology, 45+ years of Biblical Archaeology Review, 20+ years of Bible Review online, providing critical interpretations of biblical texts. 8 years of Archaeology Odyssey online, exploring the ancient roots of the Western world in a scholarly and entertaining way, The New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land. 4 Ways to Get Back into Reading Your Bible, 9 Prayers of Praise for the Promise of New Life. I read someone who said that Barnabas was Lazarus. He says yes, butwants to again bring John Mark. It was Barnabas who helped launch the first significant missionary journey into the Gentile world (Acts 13:1-4). Join other parents, grandparents and guardians to discuss how they are using the EEI Parenting Manual to teach their children in our Facebook Group. This is the first of two posts written by Dr. Robin Branch on Barnabas, an early church leader. 295-322. It was Barnabas who brought Saul to Peter and James and the other leaders of the Jerusalem church, and enabled Saul to be accepted by the church there. Then come, follow me. Barnabas sold his field and put the money at the feet of the apostles (Acts 4:37). He encouraged many believers to keep following Jesus. YetGod clearly brings good out of their decision to form separate missionary teams. However, his single act of generosity unquestionably earned him lifelong favor and standing in the community. Around this time, over deep disagreement with other apostles about whether or not Gentile believers needed to be circumcised, the pair traveled to Jerusalem to settle the matter. He parts ways with Paul after arguing about Marks usefulness. The leaders in Jerusalem greeted Barnabas and Paul with great joy! He was/became Barnabas. In turn, they would have looked upon him as a member of a community familiar to them. As a Levite, Barnabas would have been raised a Jew, most likely wealthy, and schooled in Hebrew in religious foundational instruction. Barnabas was not without his flaws; however, he possessed the qualities one would like to see in a Christian leader, as he sought to build the Christian community by means grace, love, and solid biblical instruction. do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Why Saul, or Paul? Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor " Barnabas the Encourager! After the book of Acts, there is little recorded of him in Scripture. He regretted his previous actions of persecution, he was baptized, and he began learning from the disciples in Damascus. Learn how our biographical studies are organized and get tips on how They were not to cling to sports, or to get thrilled with entertainment. Paul was Born again as thr Christian/follower and teacher for Christ Jesus. In Syrian Antioch:Due to growing persecution, Christians flee from Jerusalem to other eastern Mediterranean cities, including Syrian Antioch. What Does the Bible Say about Seeking the Worlds Validation? But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. Their evangelistic efforts proved extraordinarily successful. The lateDavid Sanfords book and Bible projects were published by Zondervan, Tyndale, Thomas Nelson, Doubleday, Barbour, and Amazon. Get baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins can be forgiven, and receive the gift of the HolySpirit. After hes first introduced in Acts 4:36-37, Joseph is always called by his catchy nickname, Barnabas, Son of Encouragement.. She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. Dr. Steven R. Cook is a Christian educator. Barnabas believed Saul had experienced a genuine change of heart and could be trusted. Being a man of grace, he sold his property and gave it to the apostles to be used for ministry purposes. In this case, that step turned out to be a blessing, because now two teams were evangelizing. Stevens ministry activity is entirely voluntary (articles, blogs, podcasts, and video lessons), as he works a full time job as a Case Manager for a local nonprofit agency that helps the elderly and disabled in the community. Paperback. His name, which means "son of encouragement," aptly describes his steadfast support of many in the church. And for a whole year, Barnabas and Saul taught the people at Antioch. It is likely that a strong friendship built on mutual trust and unity of purpose began to develop between Saul and Barnabas from then on. Later, When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark (Acts 12:25). These other apostles were afraid because of Saul/Pauls past actions, but Barnabas vouched for him, and because of this, the new convert stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord (Acts 9:28). He finds Paul and invites him to join him in the ministry. A nickname that stuck Barnabas' given name was Joses, or Joseph, but the apostles gave him the name Barnabas, which means "Son of Encouragement" or " Son of Exhortation" (Acts 4:36). (Galatians 1:16) So Barnabas went to Tarsus, found Saul, and brought him to Antioch.Acts 11:25, 26; see box on pages 26-7. 1. With great humility, the two apostles urged the people to recognize them as mere men and give the glory and honor to the one true God, the Supreme Creator of all life and matter. Maybe its one of your parents or a really good friend. Humanly speaking, the Early Church wouldnt have grown as fast, and half of the New Testament wouldnt have been written,without Barnabass encouragement. Psalm 122:1 says, "I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord!" What if we went into church each week glad to be there? So, all apostles are disciples, but not all disciples areapostles. And what an encourager he was! There are several believers in the Bible I admire in one way or another, but none more than Barnabas. During this time of growth in the Church, there was also persecution. They persecuted the two ministers and forced them to leave the region. It might have been a way to further hide his identity from the Jewish authorities. I admire him because his life is marked by faith, grace, and because he was an encourager to other believers. His latest book was Life Map Devotional for Men published concurrently with his wife Renees book, Life Map Devotional for Women. His name was Joseph, but the apostles called him "Barnabas," which was an Aramaic expression meaning "son of encouragement." In Acts 4:37 we learn that Barnabas owned some land. I didnt know his earliest name to be Joseph, or that Barnabas is a nickname. Practical reasons for the success of the early mission at Antioch, suggests historian Downey, may have been that in this city the missionaries had not to fear Jewish fanatics such as they encountered in Jerusalem; also that the city, as the capital of Syria, was governed by a legate, and so enjoyed a greater degree of public order, with less opportunity for mob violence such as had occurred in Jerusalem, where the procurators of Judaea seem (at this period at least) not to have been able to restrain the Jewish fanatics. In Jerusalem:After his conversion, Saul travels sometime later to Jerusalem. The question among some Bible scholars is how this could translate as Son of Encouragement? Acts 11:23-24, "When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith." . Include details of the region like how long it would have taken to get from one city to another, what traveling on the Mediterranean Sea would have felt like, what archaeological sites you would have seen, animals you would have encountered, what you would have bought at a bazaar, and so on. The term Christian occurs only twice again in the entire New Testament. The unbelieving Jews who had previously persecuted the two apostles earlier in their travels had followed them to Lystra. Some people are best known for their nicknames. What holy day was the early Church celebrating in Jerusalem when the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out? He was full of the Holy Spirit that is, he had experienced an endowment of power for witnessing and service. He reaches many northeast Mediterranean cities with Saul. Barnabas ministry and influence in Pauls and John Marks lives is an important example of the power of encouragement a gift that Barnabas clearly had. The woman who gave a glass of milk to a school boy working his way through college was richly rewarded. He traveled to Tarsus, where Saul had been serving since his introduction to the apostles in Jerusalem, and brought Saul back to Antioch to assist in teaching and serving the brethren there. Busts of Zeus, the supreme ruler of Mount Olympus, depict a middle-aged but physically powerful and muscular man who is both regal and commanding. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:6, "James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. Barnabus was very good at encouraging people! Agrippa said to Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian (Acts 26:28), and the Apostle Peter wrote, Yet if any [one] suffer as a Christian (that is, for doing right), let him not be ashamed (1 Peter 4:16). The church grew steadily under their leader-partnership, both in size and finances. 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Robin Branch on Barnabas and Saul taught the people who made up church...