CENTRAL THOUGHT
God is the ultimate source of comfort and encouragement but He uses people as His channels.
HYMN: BLESSED BE THE TIE THAT BINDS
Text: Acts 4:32-37, 11:19-30
INTRODUCTION
‘Joses’ was his real name but the Apostles nicknamed him Barnabas, which means ‘son of consolation’ or ‘son of encouragement’. He featured prominently in the early Christian development and ministry of Apostle Paul. He was one of the first persons to sell his land to help Christians in Jerusalem. He was of great help to the people around him, a generous landowner. He lived in pioneer days when the gospel was new
and left an indelible mark. He did wonders with encouragements; whenever he encouraged Christians, non-Christians flocked to become believers.
We all need encouragement, and we all need to learn to be encouragers. Barnabas offers us a good, biblical example of an encourager. In this study, we shall examine closely the life of this man as an outstanding example of generosity and motivation.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
- To know who Barnabas was.
- To examine the character and generosity of Barnabas.
- To identify those qualities in Barnabas that made the Jerusalem Church send him to Antioch.
- To highlight the roles played by Barnabas in Paul’s ministry and the challenge thereon.
Bible Truth:
Q1. WHO WAS BARNABAS?
Acts 4:36; Colossians 4:10
Barnabas’ real name was “Joses” which was the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joseph. He was a Levite, though born in Cyprus, Acts 4:36. An Island in the Mediterranean, a great way off Jerusalem. In acknowledgement of his generosity and comfort for the Lord’s people, the apostles called him “Barnabas” which means the son of consolation, or son of exhortation, or son of encouragement. Barnabas was thus a consoler, and exhorter and an encourager. He encouraged people both to be better in person and to do better in works.
Q2. HOW DID BARNABAS DISPLAY GENEROSITY?
Barnabas is introduced as an outstanding example of generosity. He had land whether in Cyprus where he was born, or in Judea where he now lived or elsewhere is not too clear. What is certain is that he sold such land and brought the money, laying it at the Apostles feet, Acts 4:37. The money was distributed to others according to need, Acts 4:34-35. Barnabas was not under compulsion to make this contribution; he did out of love for God and His people. Barnabas thus placed less premium on earthly inheritance and laid for himself great treasures in heaven. This was no isolated act of magnanimity, rather, it was part of his life.
Barnabas was a cheerful giver, noted for comforting the Lord’s people and speaking peace to the wounded heart. In the early days of the church, believers shared their possessions in common. Barnabas provided a major stimulus to the spirit of cooperation by selling his own land and laying the proceeds at the Apostles feet for onward distribution to all brethren according to need. Barnabas was not a native of Jerusalem as he was from Cyprus. His generosity benefited those who though strange to him were members of God’s great family.
Q3. WHY WERE JERUSALEM BELIEVERS AFRAID OF SAUL OF TARSUS AND WHAT ROLE DID BARNABAS PLAY IN SAUL’S ACCEPTANCE?
Acts 9:26-27
Barnabas’ character came to the fore again after the Church experienced persecution. Saul was a Chief exponent of it. The persecution helped to scatter the brethren to surrounding regions. After his conversion, he remained in Damascus for at least three years, Galatians 1:18. When he finally reappeared in Jerusalem, he claimed to be a disciple of Christ. Because of his antecedent as a persecutor of Christ’s followers, believers in Jerusalem were afraid of him. They feared that he was only pretending to try to infiltrate the Christian community. Thus, Saul found himself in precarious situation. He had indeed been saved, and had demonstrated the same by preaching the gospel of Christ. In Damascus, Acts 9:3-22. For this, he had experienced persecution from his former allies who had also threatened to kill him. Now back to Jerusalem, he was rejected by both the believers and unbelievers.
Barnabas sponsored Saul of Tarsus to the Apostles and the Church, Acts 9:27. Perhaps, Barnabas had confirming evidence of Saul’s conversion and ministry from believers coming from Damascus. Whatever the case, it required courage to champion Saul’s cause before his former enemies. He reported Saul’s conversion account to the Jerusalem church. Barnabas risked his reputation because he believed Saul. He was a trusting person who was willing to take risks in order to enable a young believer to succeed. He also forgave Saul of the cruelty he had engaged in against the Church before his conversion. It is never easy to call a former bitter enemy a friend.
Q4. WHY DID THE JERUSALEM CHURCH SEND BARNABAS TO ANTIOCH AND WHAT VIRTUE QUALIFED BARNABAS FOR THIS ROLE?
Acts 11:19-24
The brethren experienced severe persecution after Stephen’s death. They travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch of Syria still preaching the gospel. Some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the gentiles about the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result, new churches began to spring up in these predominantly Gentile cities.
This new development got to the ears of the brethren at Jerusalem. Some of the questions that may have given them concern were as follows. Were the happenings in Syrian Antioch of God? Was it God who was at work in Antioch? Is salvation now for both Jews and Gentiles? Are Gentiles to be fellow-heirs and of the same body? Barnabas, a man that Luke described as “a good man”, Acts 11:24, was chosen and sent by the Jerusalem Church to investigate the mixed congregation of Jews and Gentiles in Syrian Antioch. This man, Barnabas, was always at hand to be sent on fact-finding and problem-solving missions. He had distinguished himself as a man with integrity and good reputation, a good man full of the Holy Spirit and of faith and one who was generous of Spirit, compassionate and with the Spirit of discernment. His qualities are worthy of emulation by all who aspire to be in position of leadership at home, in the Church or society.
When Barnabas arrived in Syrian Antioch, he saw God’s grace in action. He witnessed God’s grace operating among Jews and Gentiles alike. He was sincere enough to accept that God was at work among the people. He then encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts, Acts 11:26.
Q5. WHAT DO YO THINK MADE BARNABAS TO SEEK PAUL’S HELP IN ANTIOCH AND WHAT LESSON CAN WE DERIVE FROM THIS?
ACTS 11:25-26
With the new Church at Antioch Barnabas sought help in shepherding the new converts. He needed a companion and was not threatened about getting someone more gifted than he was.
He went to Tarsus to look for Saul who was sent there when his life was threatened at Jerusalem. Paul was born in the City of Tarsus and it seemed, he continued there doing the work of God. Barnabas went to Tarsus for Saul. When found, he told him of the door of opportunity that was opened at Antioch and requested his assistance in taking care of these new converts. They carried on a teaching ministry in Antioch for about a year to a considerable number of people. The Antioch disciples were the first to be called “Christians”, Accts 11:26. The word means a follower of Christ. No greater compliment can be given to a teaching ministry.
Barnabas brought Saul out of obscurity. He was the one that introduced Saul to the disciples at Jerusalem when they were still doubting the genuineness of his salvation and now, he has helped to bring him back from Tarsus to which he returned.
Daily Living Application
Barnabas’ life of encouragement made a significant contribution to the early Church. He was generous, good, gracious and gallant.
He was a man with integrity, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, a good man and a man of faith, of courteous disposition, a teacher, a gracious preacher an even-tempered man. He was a fine Christian gentleman that should be emulated by all.
Barnabas became a leader by giving, not by taking. His selfless acts won him the respect and confidence of others.
No doubt the church needs people like him today. Are you a willing hand? WANTED -URGENTLY, A BARNABAS.
Memory Verse:
Hebrews 6:10
“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love, which you have shewed toward His Name, in that you have ministered to the Saints and do minister.”
Daily Devotional guide
Monday: Who was Barnabas?
Acts 4:36; Colossians 4:10
Tuesday: Barnabas displayed generosity.
Acts 4:34-37
Wednesday: Barnabas character on record.
Acts 9:26-27
Thursday: Barnabas character on record.
Acts 11:19-24
Friday: Barnabas care for the flock of God.
Acts 11:25-26
Saturday: Effective discipleship.
Acts 11:26