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Barnabas: About the Man. Named Barnabas by the apostles (Acts 4:36) Son of encouragement, consolation, exhortation (cf. 11:23) Of the tribe of Levi (Acts 4:36) Perhaps what brought him to Jerusalem Of the country of Cyprus (Acts 4:36) First place Paul & Barnabas preached (Acts 13:4-5)
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Barnabas: About the Man • Named Barnabas by the apostles (Acts 4:36) • Son of encouragement, consolation, exhortation (cf. 11:23) • Of the tribe of Levi (Acts 4:36) • Perhaps what brought him to Jerusalem • Of the country of Cyprus (Acts 4:36) • First place Paul & Barnabas preached (Acts 13:4-5) • Barnabas returned there with John Mark (Acts 15:39) • A landowner (Acts 4:37) • Apparently no wife or family (cf. 1 Cor. 9:5-6) • Called an “apostle” (Acts 14:14) • Along with Timothy & Silas (1 Thess. 2:6); Jesus’ brother, James (Gal. 1:19); Titus & brethren (2 Cor. 8:23); Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25); Andronicus & Junia (Rm. 16:7)
Barnabas: Lessons for Us to Learn • He was exceedingly generous (Acts 4:32-37) • A benevolent act done freely & without coercion • Reflected a proper attitude toward material wealth • The gospel brings out the very best in men & women • Roots up pride, selfishness, covetousness • Fills the void with brotherly kindness, love & good will • The spirit of generosity must be practiced & taught • In families • In the church • In the eldership
Barnabas: Lessons for Us to Learn • He was exceedingly generous (Acts 4:32-37) • He was compassionately gracious (Acts 9:26-28) • Saul, the persecutor, returned to Jerusalem three years after his conversion (cf. Gal. 1:18) • Saul had a well-earned reputation (cf. Acts 7:58-8:3; 9:1-2) which caused the disciples to be afraid of him • Saul needed a friend, a brother in Christ to trust him, plus someone who the disciples would trust • Barnabas brought Saul to the apostles & defended him • This helped disciples to no longer fear him • This helped Saul to be encouraged & get on with his work • This helped Barnabas in knowing he had done the right thing • This helped create a bond between S&B for future mission work
Barnabas: Lessons for Us to Learn • He was exceedingly generous (Acts 4:32-37) • He was compassionately gracious (Acts 9:26-28) • He was constantly encouraging (Acts 11:19-30) • There were great number of new converts in Antioch • New converts need encouragement – who send? • Known to church at Jerusalem – he had innate ability • He rejoiced at the growth of other Christians • He was a good man, having a great influence on others • He was reason for Paul’s close relationship with Antioch • He was trustworthy
Barnabas: Lessons for Us to Learn • He was exceedingly generous (Acts 4:32-37) • He was compassionately gracious (Acts 9:26-28) • He was constantly encouraging (Acts 11:19-30) • He was willing to work in second place (12:25-15:35) • Barnabas & Saul were set apart for 1st missionary journey • Up to this point, Barnabas was more public & prominent • Barnabas was an active, faithful Christian long before Saul • Saul depended on influence of Barnabas to be accepted • It was Barnabas sent to Antioch to exhort babes in Christ • It was Barnabas who went to find Saul to bring him to Antioch
Barnabas: Lessons for Us to Learn • He was exceedingly generous (Acts 4:32-37) • He was compassionately gracious (Acts 9:26-28) • He was constantly encouraging (Acts 11:19-30) • He was willing to work in second place (12:25-15:35) • Barnabas & Saul were set apart for 1st missionary journey • Up to this point, Barnabas was more public & prominent • Seems to be turning point in 13:9-13 • Prior to 13:9 – “Barnabas and Saul” • 13:9 – Saul called Paul; 13:10 – first words from Paul as Christian • 13:13 – “Paul and his party” – Barnabas not specified • People of Lystra called Paul, Hermes/Mercury – “chief speaker” • Barnabas played a supportive role to Paul like John the Baptizer did to Jesus (John 1:19-37; 3:25-31)– both came 1st
Barnabas: Lessons for Us to Learn • He was exceedingly generous (Acts 4:32-37) • He was compassionately gracious (Acts 9:26-28) • He was constantly encouraging (Acts 11:19-30) • He was willing to work in second place (12:25-15:35) • He was influenced by others to sin (Gal. 2:11-14) • Barnabas was subject to temptation & peer pressure • Like Peter, he sinned in excluding fellowship from the Gentiles (showing partiality) and was “carried away with their hypocrisy” (Gal. 2:13). • This was right around the time that Paul & Barnabas split (cf. Galatians 2 & Acts 15). • Paul still refers favorably in him in 1 Corinthians 9:6 • As well as to Mark in Col. 4:10 & 2 Tim. 4:11