Barnabas

Feature 3 – June 2022 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Barnabas

And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. —Acts 4:36-37 KJV

Barnabas is introduced to us in the foregoing verse for the first time in Scripture. We see him in the act of giving. He sold land that he owned in the country of Cyprus and brought the proceeds from the sale to the apostles for distribution among the saints. This was a very good gesture, so much so that Ananias and his wife sought to emulate him – to match or do more than Barnabas – but they fell short. They kept back part of the price of what was sold and ended up lying to the Holy Spirit; they lied to God. The sad result was their death. So from the very outset we can see the caring heart of the man Barnabas, and that he was a very generous man .

In Acts 9:26-28 we see him acting in the capacity of shepherd-father for we read: “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.” Such men as Barnabas are always needed in every local assembly, one who can take a brother or a sister by the hand and help the brethren to embrace him/her.

We have further insight concerning the spiritual maturity of Barnabas when he was chosen and sent to Antioch as a messenger of the Church. Acts 11:22-24 says, “Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.”

The brethren counted Barnabas trustworthy and competent enough to send him to Antioch. When he arrived he saw the grace of God. What would you and I have seen there? Perhaps we would have noticed the weaknesses, faults and ignorance of the saints. I have no doubt that these negative issues existed there, but Barnabas saw the grace of God. Thus, true to his name, he encouraged them that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. He is a very good example for us today.

While he was there, he perceived the enormity of the work and sought help. This help came in the form of the same young man, Saul, whom he introduced to the brethren back in Jerusalem. He was now introducing Saul (who later became Paul) to the Lord’s work in Antioch. This we find in Acts 11:25-26: “Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” It was while Barnabas and Saul were at Antioch enjoying fellowship with the saints and teaching the Word of God that the disciples were first called “Christians.” This blessed name extends to the followers of Christ even today.

In Acts 13:1-4, the Holy Spirit expressly spoke in the assembly saying, “Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (v.2). Barnabas was now called to the work of the Lord. It seems that they were called to give up all secular employment and to serve the Lord on a full-time basis. Does the Holy Spirit speak in like manner today? While He does not do so audibly, He does speak in the hearts and minds of the saints. The Spirit having spoken, the brethren prayed and fasted laying their hands on them. They were then sent away. We see that they were sent forth to the Lord’s work by both the Holy Spirit and the assembly.

Barnabas was called upon to defend the faith. Acts 15:1-2 records: “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.” Paul and Barnabas figuratively stood back-to-back as they outlined and defended the truth of the gospel of the grace of God. “Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them” (v.12). At that time Peter also stood with them in defense of the truth. In addition to standing up for the truth, James gave the summary and decision of the conference.

Right there at the conference, brethren chose Barnabas, among others, to carry letters to the brethren who were of the Gentiles. “Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:  And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia; forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (vv.22-26). Barnabas and Paul joyfully served the Lord together until they parted company (vv.37-40).

May we, too, consistently honor the Lord in our lives.

By Milton Jamieson

It was unto Him that the believing Gentiles turned, and unto Him they were added, and consequently it was unto Him that they were exhorted to cleave with “purpose of heart” (Acts 11:23 KJV). It is evident, then, that before this latter exhortation can be rightly understood and acted upon, the blessed Lord must be personally known to the soul as the object of faith and love. We could not cleave to Him if there were not faith in Him – if He were not personally known by faith. We would not cleave to Him if we did not know the love of His heart to us, so as to have won our heart’s affection. —The Christian’s Friend, 1895, Biblecentre.org (adapted)