Acts 15:12 “Barnabas and Paul [declared] how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them”
Paul and Barnabas had a missionary journey up into central modern-day Asia Minor. They established several churches in the region of Galatia and watched many Gentiles come to a saving faith in Jesus (Acts 13—14)
Acts 4:36-37 Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Barnabas then spent the rest of his life traveling as a missionary, leading others to Jesus at great personal risk. According to Acts 4:36, Barnabas was a Cypriot Jew. Named an apostle in Acts 14:14, he and Paul undertook missionary journeys together and defended Gentile converts against the Judaizers.
Barnabas took the then-unknown disciple Saul (Paul) under his wing and introduced him to the other apostles in Jerusalem. These other apostles were afraid because of Saul/Paul’s past actions, but Barnabas vouched for him, and because of this, the new convert “stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord” (Acts 9:28).
Barnabas and Paul probably knew each other because they had been taught together in the school of Gamaliel. But while Barnabas was the one who did the primary introduction, it appears Paul, with his zeal for speaking, soon became more well-known for his evangelism efforts. After Barnabas found Paul in Tarsus (Acts 11:25-26), they pooled their energies and established a foundational church in Antioch.
Barnabas truly was a “man of encouragement.”
He gave his life to the church and sacrificed much for the faith. He, along with Paul and other Christian leaders of his time, was instrumental in spreading the gospel across the land and converting great numbers, both Jew and Gentile. Because of him, and others like him, today we know Jesus.
Are you an encourager?
Jesus was the encourager in chief!
John 16:33 "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
If you read the Bible you will be encouraged with what lies ahead.
Revelation 21:4 "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." And He who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."
Barnabas was named the encourager because he had something special about him.
It is important to remember that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against . . . the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
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