BARNABAS - ENCOURGER

BARNABAS - ONE WHO ENCOURAGES
Barnabas (encourager), one of the first Christian missionaries, a member of a Jewish-Cypriot priestly family and a cousin of John Mark. He befriended Saul of Tarsus, represented the Jerusalem church at Antioch (where Gentiles were being converted), and recognized that the mission to the Gentiles was Saul’s (Paul’s) work. With Saul (Paul) he carried famine relief to Jerusalem, where the mission to the Gentiles was recognized. He temporarily gave way to judaizing pressure in Antioch before joining Paul in the mission to the Gentiles." Gal. 2:1,9,13. [Compact Bible Dictionary]

In the NT the word most often translated encourage is found 109 times. "But exhort (encourage) one another daily, while it is called Today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:13. "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting (encouraging) one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25.

Be an encourager with your words. When the Jerusalem church heard of the spiritual awakening in Antioch - they sent Barnabas. "Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 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." Acts 11:32-34.

Be an encourager through your actions.

"And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet." Acts4:36-37 He did this of his own free will to help in this time of need. Some Jews who stayed on in Jerusalem after Pentecost were without jobs and were destitute. Barnabas used his resources to help.

Be an encourager through your attitude. Few in the NT had a better attitude than did Barnabas.

"And when Saul had come to Jerusalem . . but they were all afraid of him . . . But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles." Acts 9:26-27.

In Acts 13, the opening verses introduce us to Barnabas and Paul. By the end of the chapter it becomes Paul and Barnabas. From that point Barnabas plays on the support team. Tom Ellsworth writes: "We have no sermon that Barnabas ever preached, no New Testament book he ever wrote. But if it had not been for Barnabas and his encouraging spirit, who can guess what might have happened to Paul and Mark?"

In Acts 15, when Paul refused to use John Mark, it was Barnabas who took him along and gave him a second chance. (Paul showed his later approval of Mark in 2 Timothy 4:11.)

"And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus" Acts 15:39.

Tom Ellsworth writes: "God has called us to be encouragers - men and women in the kingdom who will put the Lord and His before their own needs, who will encourage others with words and actions. If the day comes that God calls you to play "second fiddle," then always play it from the balcony and never the basement. May your nickname always reflect your walk with the Lord. And if someone ever decides to write about your life, make certain that you have lived it in such a manner that it could be included in a book entitled Profiles in Encouragement!"