Our reading from Acts today begins with the Apostles Peter and John being let go after having been taken into custody by the Jewish religious leaders and authorities for preaching the Gospel and healing a crippled man. The two returned to the other believers who immediately gathered together for prayer. They saw this as fulfilling prophecy, that rulers and those in authority had opposed Jesus, and now were opposing them and the message of the Gospel they were proclaiming (vs. 23-28). When the believers prayed they first praised God, then they prayed specific prayers for their need. Praise then requests. They prayed for boldness to proclaim the Gospel (vs. 29-31). Boldness comes from the Holy Spirit. We need boldness and strength to witness effectively.
I would like to focus now on an often overlooked disciple - Barnabas. He is first mentioned here in Scripture in verse 36. His first name was Joses or Joseph. He was soon given the nickname of Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement”. What a wonderful thing to be known for - an encourager! Everyone needs encouragement at some time or another in their life, and what a blessing we can be to people if we are there to give that uplifting word and reassuring arm around the shoulder to bolster them on. Let’s look at some examples where Barnabas was an encouragement to others.
Some time after our meeting Barnabas here, he was of great encouragement to the newly converted Paul (Acts 9:26-28). Before he became a believer, Paul (at that time known as Saul) was a devout Jew, a Pharisee, and violently opposed the early church. He hunted down Christians, turning them over to the religious authorities, casting his vote to have them put to death. He was present at the martyrdom of Stephen. All that changed when Jesus appeared to him in a vision on the road to Damascus where he was going to hunt down more Christians. After this conversion most of the early church were afraid to believe that this feared opponent was now a believer and hesitated to meet with him. Barnabas, however, was willing to risk his life and reputation to meet with the newly converted Paul, and he convinced others that his conversion was legitimate. He encouraged Paul, who was probably nervous and afraid, too, at what might happen. Barnabas was an encourager and help at this crucial time.
Later Barnabas went with Paul on his first missionary journey, and they took along a young man named John Mark. While on this missionary trip John Mark dropped out and returned back home (Acts 13:13). This was possibly due to his young age and immaturity, along with some fear and nerves, as we read all throughout Acts that Paul’s missionary journeys were not easy-going trips, and faced a lot of opposition and danger. Later John Mark wished to join Paul and Barnabas on their second missionary trip. Barnabas wanted to give him a second chance. but Paul wouldn’t allow it because of his defection earlier. That must have been a stinging blow to John Mark, and actually split up the team of Paul and Barnabas. Barnabas didn’t give up on the young man, but was, again, an encourager to him. So much so that later in Paul’s ministry, he gives testimony as to how much of a help John Mark was to his work (II Timothy 4:11).
We all need to be an encourager to others, especially to those in the faith. Everyone has a burden they are carrying, and often need someone to come along side and help carry it. If Barnabas had not been there, the early church may have never welcomed Paul into their fellowship. What would have happened then? If Barnabas hadn’t been there to encourage John Mark, he may have dropped out of the ministry and never written his Gospel. The encouragement you give to someone may be just as vital. Be an encourager today!
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