Barnabus: The Encourager – By Sahaya Jeyaraj

The preacher read from Acts 4:36-37 that introduces Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, who is also called Son of Encouragement. He said we do not need a role or special title to encourage one another. 

His name was initially Joseph but the apostles changed his name to Barnabas – the son of encouragement after they realized this trait of his and motivated him to continue.

Encouragement is both private and public but prominently private (conversation, personally ministering, comforting, exhorting) and through the scripture we know Barnabas was personally encouraging them.

The apostles knew what he was doing because of the effect that Barnabus’ private ministry had on people. People were built up, and grew in Christ. They were the fruits of his private ministry. Lots of people encourage from the pulpit but very few minister to people personally. Everyone can be son or daughter of encouragement like Barnabus.

The following are some scripture passages the preacher examined to bring out Barnabus’ contribution and role in the church.

Acts 13:1-2 

God asks the church to set Barnabus and Paul apart. He took them out of their comfort zone, that is, the Antioch church and they obeyed God.

It was Barnabus and Paul’s first missionary journey. It was filled with hardships and persecution. They were stoned, driven out, severely persecution but when God called, they obeyed. The current church needs also needs people who obey the call, come out of their comfy church environment. 

Barnabus was humble and godly. He allowed Paul to take lead and was ready to play the second fiddle. Paul was becoming a leader but since Barnabus knew his identity in Christ, he graciously allowed and enabled Paul to grow to the next level. We have to find our identity in God like he did.

Acts 9:26-27

Paul was infamous for persecuting the church and people thought he was a spy when he became a follower of Christ. But Barnabus put his life at stake, took Saul in when people were sceptical and brought him to the apostles. Personally talked to Paul and spent time. He tested and integrated him with the church. Did not put the entire church at risk.

If Barnabas didn’t privately encourage people, we wouldn’t have had Paul or a major part of the new testament in the form of many letters Paul wrote to churches the world over. We also see that he does not give up on people. The church many a times gives up on people but we need many such Barnabus in our church.

Acts 11:22-30

Context: Gospel started with Jews. There was severe persecution so the disciples spread and shared the gospel with the Jews first and later spread it to others. The apostles accepted that God is for Jews also in principal. But in practicality, the Jews were having a hard time to accept the Gentiles as they thought that God had chosen their race and not the pagans. Both had to be united and the wall of separation had to be broken.

The apostles then sent Barnabus to encourage the Gentiles. After eight years of making Paul meet the apostles in Jerusalem, Barnabus goes in search of Paul as he realized he can’t do it alone. He didn’t glorify himself, but he knew he was inadequate in certain areas so he brought Paul. He was willing to be a team player. We sometimes lack to understand our weaknesses and we weary ourselves. But Barnabus knew what he was good at and what he was not. Solo ministries may start but might not be as effective. It’s always when we work as a team that the church sustains. We need people like him who work with others. Preacher said Barnabus was his role model. We need people who join with others. Not one man army. 

Verse 24 tells us that Barnabus was controlled by the Holy spirit. He had submitted himself to the Holy spirit hence he could see beyond the mindset that was prevailing for generations. Submit yourselves and empty yourself so that the Spirit of God can help you just as he helped Barnabus.

They built up the church in Antioch which was one of the model churches. The term Christianity was first coined for the church at Antioch. Paul and Barnabus created history. They built a model church where non-Jews sent aid to Jews during famine (verse 29). Barnabus not only broke his cultural mindset but also changed the mindset of the Gentiles. We need people who can think beyond the bondage of cultural mindset and encourage people. God used him mightily (verse 24) and blessed his work.

Acts 15:1-2 

Context: The false doctrine of circumcision entered church.

We may assume that Barnabus was a calm and soft person (which he was) but when a wrong doctrine came into the church, he stood strong against it. Barnabus and Paul stood firm and Barnabus was a strong person. If they did not take the stand, the tradition would have continued and we would have still been bound to the law of Moses. An encourager need not be a person who pampers but a person who is strong.

Acts 15:36-40

Barnabus does not give up on Mark who deserted earlier. He was ready to disagree with Paul and did what was on his mind. He was a bold man who stood up for Mark. Paul later in the letters says that Mark was useful for the ministry. Had Barnabas given up on Mark, we would have lost Mark’s ministry and the gospel he wrote.

Are we ready to voice a difference of opinion with the leadership? If we think it’s right? Also, Barnabus was detached from wealth. Barnabus gave up his land to the church but worked later as a tentmaker. Are you attached to wealth, job, and other things? God can’t use you then. 

Galatians 2:13 

Barnabas was not perfect; he was led astray and joined hypocrisy. But that encourages us to know that even though we have failures, we need not be crippled. The Bible doesn’t always talk about successful people but talks about God’s faithfulness to people who were willing to be used for God. Even when we fail, take heart for God can use frail humans like us if we come back and repent.

Summing up Barnabus’ contribution to church

• He was a son of encouragement and exhortation, son of comfort, son of consolation.
• He sold his land. He was detached from the his wealth.
• He brought Paul to the ministry and Paul stirred up the whole world.
• He was instrumental in building the Gentile church and the Jewish church by breaking norms
• He went on the very first missionary journey with Paul.
• He contributed in stopping the heresy of having circumcision as a compulsion.
• He knew the scripture well.
• He held up Mark and now we have the gospel of the Mark. 

The preacher summed up by asking what is encouragement? It is correcting, motivating, and taking others to the next level. An encourager has to be strong, firm, and even disagree if required. Be with people in their journey; stand with them. Important in church and society are the people who spend time with others, are good listener and spend time with people. It is a long process but worth it. Encouragement bears fruits slowly and these may not be seen initially; may not give glory but is worth it in the end.

Will you step in and  follow Barnabus’ example? You can encourage one or two people. 

Reflection by Shubha Jha