Barnabas - Part 1

Barnabas was a great early missionary and co-worker in the gospel. We first hear of him in Acts 4:36-7 where he generously sells a field and brings the money to the apostles:

"Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet."

His real name was Joseph. but was such a great encouragement to others that the apostles gave him the nickname 'Barnabas' which is translated for us as 'Son of Encouragement'. Wouldn't it be great to be so known as such an encourager of others that you get named for it!

In Acts 29 we read about how Saul had to flee Damascus because he was in fear of his life. Now that he had returned to Jerusalem the disciples didn't want anything to do with him - they thought this was just another cunning ploy to expose and persecute the Christians. Barnabas is the one who does not show fear and who knows the truth about

"...he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus."

You might like to pray that God would enable you to encourage others the way Barnabas does.