Barnabas: Son of Consolation
Acts 9:23-31
A Sincere Man – Acts 4:34-37
There was a stir in the early church were church members gave of their possessions for the purpose of furthering the gospel
One of these people was Joses or Joseph, of whom the apostles surnamed Barnabas
He was a Levite who had estates on the island of Cyprus
This shows how failed Judaism was to have a Levite, who was not supposed to own land, not only own property but own in a foreign land, not the Promised Land
This name had the idea of “son of consolation, son of exhortation, and the son of prophecy”
This is the same names used for the Holy Spirit. Barnabas’ character so reflected God that the Apostles identified him with God’s spirit as a comforter and as man gifted to communicate God’s word
A Sympathetic Man – Acts 9:26-31
It had been three years since anyone had heard of Saul. Now he was back, and worse he was in Jerusalem. Now he was seeking to join the fellowship of the church!
It was Barnabas who opened his door to Saul. None of the other Apostles or leaders wanted anything to do with Saul.
It was Barnabas who spoke up for Saul and introduced him to Peter
For the next two weeks Peter spent time with Saul. Peter probably gave Saul his memories and Saul expounded Peter the word of God. (Galatians 3:18)
A Spiritual Man – Acts 11:19-24
Word came back to Jerusalem that believers had formed a work in heathen Antioch.
Antioch was a Greek city known for heathenism and the home of the Roman perfect and his court. It was the seat of idolatry and held the same grove of Daphne.
The apostles decided to investigate this beginning at Antioch. The leaders choose Barnabas to see what was going on.
He wasn’t critical of the new work. He saw it was put together by God’s grace
He didn’t say “This is not official because you didn’t get ordained in your home church in Jerusalem”
He didn’t reject them because they hadn’t going through a training course of college
He didn’t reply there was too much emotionalism there.
Instead he taught them the Bible and encouraged them to cleave to the Lord
As he preached, revival spread further
A Sensible Man – Acts 11:25-26
Barnabas soon realized the work was bigger then him, and some one else needed to lead that work.
As he thought through the list of Apostles and Christian leaders, his attention turned to Saul.
He had to seek Saul, at cost and risk to himself.
Pagan’s called them Christians / contempt