Barnabas

A Great Encourager

READ Acts 9:26–31

Can you remember a time when someone encouraged you or affirmed your giftedness in a certain area? I can still remember when I was in second grade and my art teacher complimented the picture of a peregrine falcon I drew. No, I haven’t gone on to be a great artist, but at the time his encouragement meant a lot to me. Perhaps you have pursued a particular career or area of study based on the encouragement someone gave you early on. A good encourager can make a world of difference.

In Acts 4:36–37, Luke introduced us to a man named Joseph, who the apostles called Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement.” Barnabas, a Levite by background, sold a field he owned and gave the money to the apostles for the Christian community. Barnabas had an important role in the book of Acts as a ministry partner for the apostle Paul.

Christ transformed Paul’s life through a dramatic encounter on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–19). Paul received the Holy Spirit and was baptized, and he began preaching the word of Christ in the synagogues. When Paul went to Jerusalem and tried to join the other disciples of Christ, however, they were afraid of him. It was Barnabas who took Paul under his wing and advocated for him with the disciples. Barnabas told the believers the story of Paul’s conversion and the way Paul had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. At Barnabas’s testimony, the disciples accepted Paul, who went on to become the greatest evangelist of the early church. It took Barnabas’s trust and encouragement to bring these two parties together.

Paul and Barnabas went on to minister together. When the believers in Jerusalem heard that Gentiles in Antioch were turning to Christ, they sent Barnabas to see them. Barnabas encouraged them “to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts” (Acts 11:23), and many more people came to the Lord. Barnabas then found Paul and brought him to Antioch, where the two ministered and taught about Jesus for an entire year. They went on to do more missionary work, preaching boldly and performing signs and wonders (14:3) as they moved from one place to another. As they traveled through various cities, they appointed elders over each church. Barnabas knew the importance of godly leaders to guide and encourage a faith community.

Barnabas was certainly a powerful person in the early church, and his story offers encouragement to us today. Barnabas was willing to sell his own property to support the ministry of Christ’s church. He preached boldly for Christ everywhere he went, even in the face of hard opposition. Most importantly, Barnabas was an encourager. He had a heart for building up others in the faith. As you think about the story of Barnabas, reflect on who God has used in your life to encourage and nurture your own faith. It may have been a grandparent, a teacher, a pastor, or simply a Christian friend. God puts these people in our lives for a reason. Their encouragement spurs us deeper in our own faith.

But don’t just thank God for the encouragers he has placed on your path. Take time today to consider who God has placed in your life for you to encourage. Are there people who are not as far along on their faith journey as you are? Are there people working in ministry who could use some encouragement? Perhaps you could show your love and support for the ministry volunteers or leaders in your church, writing them a note to let them know you are praying for them. Perhaps you could serve as a mentor, either formally or casually, for a younger believer.

Christianity is not a “lone wolf” religion. We need the support and encouragement of others, and we need to offer support and encouragement as well. As Paul wrote, we rejoice with those who rejoice and we mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15). We need one another. Don’t stand on the sidelines. Offer your enthusiasm, gifts, and encouragement to others “so that the body of Christ might be built up” (Ephesians 4:12).