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Barnabas is introduced in Acts 4:36-37. There we read: “Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (NASB95). We are told four things about this Joseph:
“Son of Encouragement,” which is also translated “son of consolation” (JND), is an apt description for this brother in the Lord. He exemplified godly characteristics in the establishment of the early Church.
The Consolation Of The Poor
The apostles saw that Joseph had the ability to comfort and encourage
others. They witnessed this behavior and, as a result, changed his name. Comfort
is always appropriate and needed. “Blessed be the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us
in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any
trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2
Cor. 1:3-4 NKJV).
Barnabas’ selling his land and giving the proceeds to the apostles was his first act of consolation. The apostles would properly distribute the money to take care of the poor saints and their families, thereby encouraging them as well. In Acts 4:35 the generosity of the wealthy believers is seen. They sold their lands and houses and laid the proceeds at the apostles’ feet, and they were commended. The phrase, “laid it at the apostles’ feet” is mentioned twice (vv.35,37 ESV).
Ananias is mentioned as a bad example (5:1-2). He and Sapphira, his wife, sold their land and kept back some of the proceeds while giving the impression they had given all. In this, they lied to the apostles. Peter discerned the deception, “But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?’” (v.3 NKJV). Judgment was swift in the early Church: Ananias died immediately, and his wife died right after he was buried.
Barnabas was mentioned as an exemplary Christian. May we be like him and those early believers who were in one accord, had all things in common, and modeled true Christian love and unity.
The Consolation Of The Apostles And Saul
Barnabas’ second act of consolation occurred after Saul’s
conversion (9:27-30). Later, Saul became known as the apostle Paul.
The disciples were naturally afraid of Saul when he came to Jerusalem, for at the time of his conversion he was on a mission against Christians: “Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem” (vv.1-2).
Even in Damascus, before Saul returned to Jerusalem, Ananias was afraid to go to him. The Lord, though, assured Ananias that Saul was “a chosen vessel” (v.15). Then Ananias called him “Brother Saul” (v.17).
Some time later the Lord used Barnabas to take Saul to the apostles. He testified on behalf of Saul, speaking about his conversion on the road and how “he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus” (v.27). There is no doubt that the apostles, and as a result all the believers, were comforted to hear that Saul was true. Saul was welcomed; he remained with them and engaged in the work.
In addition to comforting the believers, Barnabas was an encouragement to Saul. God used the integrity, character and godly reputation of Barnabas to speak on Saul’s behalf. May we be Christ-like and have integrity so we can comfort those who are troubled. Later the apostle Paul would write to the assembly in Philippi: “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Phil. 2:1-2).
The Consolation Of Believers In Antioch
A third act of consolation, or encouragement, was also seen in Barnabas
after Stephen was martyred. Many believers were being persecuted and fled as far
as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch. At first those believers only preached the Word
to the Hebrew-speaking Jews. But God intervened, and those from Cyprus and Cyrene
spoke to the Hellenists, or Greek-speaking Jews, who were in Antioch. Many of
them turned to the Lord (Acts 11:19-22).
When the good news reached Jerusalem, Barnabas was sent to Antioch to help establish the new believers. Upon arrival he became fully engaged in the work, “When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord” (vv.23-24).
We know from previous passages that Barnabas was an encourager, hence his name. He was a good man, who had sold his land so poor believers could have their needs met. Certainly there were other benevolent acts not revealed to us.
In Acts 11 it is clearly stated that he was “full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” He was a believer controlled by the Holy Spirit. That is the secret! All believers have the Holy Spirit, but does the Holy Spirit have us? Scripture tells us, “Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). It is the Holy Spirit that illuminates the features of Christ in us. Barnabas is a good example. His faith is highlighted too. He fully trusted in God for all things.
As the number of believers increased, Barnabas did a wonderful thing: he went to Tarsus to find Saul. Barnabas recognized that Saul needed help in the work and was willing to share in it (Acts 11:25-26). He and Saul returned to Antioch and worked harmoniously. They taught the disciples for a whole year. No doubt they taught the doctrine that God had revealed at that time. Because of these two individuals whom God used, we get that wonderful verse, “And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (v.27).
There is a great lesson here: God would have us share in His work. He pairs us together, partners us as groups, and sends us out to labor for Him. If we are obedient and work harmoniously, the work is successful by His power. How many of us claim the work as our own, or seek to go off in a work alone? Let us be intentional and take instruction from the behavior of Barnabas and Saul.
The Consolation Of John Mark
The Lord paired Barnabas and Saul together and continued to use them in
His vineyard. Sometimes they are referred to as Barnabas and Saul / Paul (12:25,
13:2, 14:14, 15:25), or Paul and Barnabas (13:50, 15:2,22,35-36). The concern was
not for which of them would get credit, for the Lord Himself should get all the
glory. Barnabas and Paul labored together on missionary journeys. They were
together at the conference in Jerusalem. The two were effective workers for the
Lord.
Barnabas comforted and consoled many believers as he traveled and labored for the Lord. He must have been a comfort to John Mark, who had failed and been unfaithful in the work. We read: “Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches” (15:37-41).
The Scripture is silent as to John Mark’s feelings, but just the fact that Barnabas took the young man with him must have been a comfort. We all fail as believers, and the Lord restores us based upon our recognition of the error and confession of it to Him. Over time, John Mark developed and grew as a believer. The apostle Paul, when he was in prison during later years, sent for Mark: “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry” (2 Tim. 4:11)
His Comforting Testimony to Us
All of the wonderful things stated about Barnabas in his introduction
were commendable. He was a Levite. The Levites assisted the priests in dealing
with holy things (Num. 3:6-12). Barnabas gave that position up upon salvation. He
met the Son of God, therefore the types – those things that represented
what was read – could be easily discarded.
Barnabas was from Cyprus. In ancient times Cyprus was famous for its wines, wheats, oils, figs and honey. Landowners in Cyprus were probably wealthy. He left the land of his birth at some point, and was living in Jerusalem. He owned land but as an act of love he sold it in order to help the poor saints in need. The apostles gave him the name of Barnabas because of what they saw in him, and he kept it: he was the son of consolation, the son of encouragement. It was not difficult for Barnabas to retain or live up to this name, because it was who he was!
Although a very good example of a Christian to us, he was not perfect. The heated exchange with the apostle Paul bears witness to that fact. Nevertheless, let us take on some of his excellent qualities. Let us comfort and console those in need, and encourage those who are discouraged. We should share what God has given us. There are many believers who lack the necessities of life. God is counting on us. Let us not be tied to land and wealth.
This can only happen by looking at the Lord Jesus Christ, “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:17-18). Barnabas had his eyes fixed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us fix our eyes on Him too, and be sons and daughters of consolation and encouragement.
By Albert Stuart