Regular Christians (Part 4): Barnabas

Barnabas was one who was such an encouragement to others, the apostles changed his name to reflect this. We can read about him throughout the book of Acts, but when we first learn of him he is introduced to us as Joseph.

“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” (Acts 4:36-37).

Barnabas is probably the most well-known individual that we will discuss in this series. While he is not an obscure character, he is a secondary character. Yet he distinguished himself as a “Son of Encouragement.”

There are several events recorded in which Barnabas earned his moniker. In each of these, he provided encouragement by removing sources of discouragement. In these examples, Christians in Barnabas’ company faced situations which were disheartening and threatened to erode their faith.

Consider the following situations that Barnabas encountered and how he provided the encouragement his brethren needed.

• Uncertainty over physical necessities – When we first meet Barnabas, it was at a time when many brethren were in need. Jews had traveled from throughout the world to be present in Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:9-11). Those who obeyed the gospel remained (Acts 2:42-46) – longer than they planned to stay. Naturally, their provisions would have run out and they would be in need. It would be discouraging for them to learn that the Messiah had finally come, commit to being His disciples, and then not be able to feed themselves while trying to learn as much as they could about His teachings. So “all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need” (Acts 4:34-35). Barnabas was involved in this sacrificial work (Acts 4:36-37), taking away these disciples’ uncertainty about their physical necessities.
• Rejection/mistrust of a new Christian by his new brethren – After Saul was converted in Damascus (Acts 9:8-18), he returned to Jerusalem and “was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple” (Acts 9:26). Saul had a promising future before him in Judaism, yet he sacrificed all of that to follow Christ (Galatians 1:13-14; Philippians 3:4-7). How discouraging it would have been to give all of that up and then not be accepted by his new brethren. Social ties are strong and many people, under normal circumstances, leave the faith to return to their family and friends in the world. Barnabas stepped in to help Saul on this occasion and vouched for him before the apostles so that he would be accepted by the church (Acts 9:27).
• Cultural/historical divide between Jews and Gentiles that threatened church unity – It was in the church at Antioch where “the disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 11:26). This church was made up of both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 11:19-21) – two groups that historically were hostile toward one another (Ephesians 2:11-19). Because of this, there would be people within the church and outside of the church who would try to drive a wedge between these brethren. Barnabas arrived to “encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord” (Acts 11:23). Later he and Paul “had great dissension and debate” with those who tried to cause trouble in the church at Antioch (Acts 15:1-2). Rather than later dividing into two separate groups (a situation that would have been truly discouraging to the local brethren and all who heard of it), the church in Antioch continued together and was a powerful force for good in the cause of Christ.
• Loss of trust due to a prior failure – Shortly after Paul and Barnabas began their first preaching tour, John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). When he wanted to go with them on their second trip, Paul evidently did not trust him after his prior desertion and refused to allow him to come (Acts 15:38). While we can probably understand Paul’s reluctance to bring John Mark with them, we should also be able to understand how discouraging it would be for one like John Mark to make a mistake like he did and not be given the chance to make it right. Barnabas stood up for him, even though it meant separating from Paul and taking John Mark to labor with him in Cyprus (Acts 15:39).

There are many different kinds of discouraging situations that we (and our brethren) will face. It is certainly important to be able to provide “a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment” (Ephesians 4:29). The wise man wrote, “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances” (Proverbs 25:11). But sometimes more is needed than just a word. It is one thing to sympathize with someone who is facing difficulties; it is another to provide help. Circumstances in life are often discouraging. “For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened” (2 Corinthians 5:4). Providing help in these cases can provide the encouragement that others need.

Barnabas was not singled out in the New Testament as having any special talent or ability that distinguished him from others. Instead, we see that he had his eyes open to identify those who needed help, assessed the situation to recognize the source of discouragement they faced, and then stepped in to removed those sources of discouragement. By doing this, he proved to be a “Son of Encouragement.” Each one of us can strive to do the same today.