Because of Barnabas—Saul

Photo by John-Mark Smith on Unsplash

The ministry and work of encouragement that Barnabas did cannot be overestimated.

When the early church was skeptical of Saul’s conversion to Jesus, due to his early persecution of the church, Barnabas bore witness to the legitimacy of Paul, and he vouched for Paul’s transformation as a true follower of Jesus. Barnabas also gave testimony and spoke of Paul’s bold preaching in the name of Jesus.

The Book of Acts tells us when Paul had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples, and everyone was afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 9:26-27, ESV).

Barnabas helped launch the ministry of the Apostle Paul and encouraged his ministry and mission to take the gospel of Jesus to the Gentiles, and to the ends of the earth.

“So Paul went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.” (Acts 9:28-30, ESV).

And afterwards, Acts tells us “the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.” (Acts 9:31, ESV).

Later in Acts we see Barnabas seek Paul out to have him come, and to teach, and to minister to the church in Antioch.

Acts 11:25-26 tells us “Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” (Acts 11:25-26, ESV).

Barnabas then went with Paul on his first missionary journey, as they were sent out from the the church in Antioch, whom they had encouraged, and discipled, the previous year.

Acts thirteen tells us, “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:2-3, ESV).

Without the encouragement of Barnabas, we would not have the acceptance of Paul, or the missionary mission of the Apostle Paul. Barnabas vouched for Paul, and equipped and encouraged Paul, for ministry in Antioch and for his mission to the Roman world.

Later in Acts, we see the emphasis on “Barnabas and Saul” turn to “Paul and his companions.” This transition can be clearly seen in Acts 13:13, “Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem…”

We may not be called to be a Paul, a missionary to the ends of the earth, but we may be called by God to be a Barnabas and to encourage and to equip and to prepare the next Paul for ministry. We are all called to encouragement.

Like Barnabas, may we be an encouragement in the church and help launch the mission and ministry of those we encounter in God’s church.

As Paul wrote the church in Rome, “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.” (Romans 15:5, ESV).

In Christ alone, Robbie

A Prayer Of Saint Barnabas: “Grant, O God, that we may follow the example of your faithful servant Barnabas, who, seeking not his own renown but the well-being of your Church, gave generously of his life and substance for the relief of the poor, and went forth courageously in mission for the spread of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019).

Photo by John-Mark Smith on Unsplash