Barnabas: About the Man

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Barnabas About the Man

• Named Barnabas by the apostles (Acts 436)
• Son of encouragement, consolation, exhortation
  (cf. 1123)
• Of the tribe of Levi (Acts 436)
• Perhaps what brought him to Jerusalem
• Of the country of Cyprus (Acts 436)
• First place Paul Barnabas preached (Acts
  134-5)
• Barnabas returned there with John Mark (Acts
  1539)
• A landowner (Acts 437)
• Apparently no wife or family (cf. 1 Cor. 95-6)
• Called an apostle (Acts 1414)
• Along with Timothy Silas (1 Thess. 26) Jesus
  brother, James (Gal. 119) Titus brethren (2
  Cor. 823) Epaphroditus (Phil. 225) Andronicus
  Junia (Rm. 167)

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Barnabas Lessons for Us to Learn

• He was exceedingly generous (Acts 432-37)
• 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

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Barnabas Lessons for Us to Learn

• He was exceedingly generous (Acts 432-37)
• He was compassionately gracious (Acts 926-28)
• Saul, the persecutor, returned to Jerusalem three
  years after his conversion (cf. Gal. 118)
• Saul had a well-earned reputation (cf. Acts
  758-83 91-2) 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 SB for future
  mission work

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Barnabas Lessons for Us to Learn

• He was exceedingly generous (Acts 432-37)
• He was compassionately gracious (Acts 926-28)
• He was constantly encouraging (Acts 1119-30)
• 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 Pauls close relationship with
  Antioch
• He was trustworthy

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Barnabas Lessons for Us to Learn

• He was exceedingly generous (Acts 432-37)
• He was compassionately gracious (Acts 926-28)
• He was constantly encouraging (Acts 1119-30)
• He was willing to work in second place
  (1225-1535)
• 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

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Barnabas Lessons for Us to Learn

• He was exceedingly generous (Acts 432-37)
• He was compassionately gracious (Acts 926-28)
• He was constantly encouraging (Acts 1119-30)
• He was willing to work in second place
  (1225-1535)
• Barnabas Saul were set apart for 1st missionary
  journey
• Up to this point, Barnabas was more public
  prominent
• Seems to be turning point in 139-13
• Prior to 139 Barnabas and Saul
• 139 Saul called Paul 1310 first words from
  Paul as Christian
• 1313 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 119-37
  325-31) both came 1st

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Barnabas Lessons for Us to Learn

• He was exceedingly generous (Acts 432-37)
• He was compassionately gracious (Acts 926-28)
• He was constantly encouraging (Acts 1119-30)
• He was willing to work in second place
  (1225-1535)
• He was influenced by others to sin (Gal. 211-14)
• 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. 213).
• This was right around the time that Paul
  Barnabas split (cf. Galatians 2 Acts 15).
• Paul still refers favorably in him in 1
  Corinthians 96
• As well as to Mark in Col. 410 2 Tim. 411