Bible Study - Second Nature (4) - Barnabas: Ongoing Encouragement - Acts 4:36-37; 9:26-27; 11:19-26 - November 5, 2017

Bible Study – Second Nature (4) – Barnabas: Ongoing Encouragement – November 5, 2017

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “Second Nature.”

Our focus scripture is Acts 4:36-37; 9:26-27; 11:19-26

CHRIST-centered living chooses encouragement not criticism.

Who has been an encourager in your life? An old adage goes “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” But many of us need encouragement when life gets tough. A good friend can be an encourager. Often, we need someone who will be honest with us and not be an enabler who sugar coats areas in our lives that need attention. At times in our lives we need someone who can offer us wise advice and direction or encourage us.

We studied wisdom two weeks ago. The key is that when we get wise counsel we need to put it into action.

Our study this week is about Barnabas whose name means? 

Let’s explore!

Let’s read Acts 4:36-37:

36 Joseph, a Levite and a Cypriot by birth, whom the apostles named Barnabas, which is translated Son of Encouragement,

37 sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

We read that the apostles named Joseph, a Levite, Barnabas.

A Levite is a descendant of Jacob and Leah’s third son, Levi.

There are three levels of priests – High Priest, Chief Priests and Priests. Each level had a specific function. The descendants of Levi were priests but only the descendants of Aaron could be high priests as ordained by GOD.

Joseph/Barnabas was a descendant of Levi and a priest by birth. We do not know whether or not he was ever a practicing priest but we do know that he exhibited characteristics such that the Apostles of JESUS gave him a new name, Barnabas which means “son of encouragement.” But it is interesting that his given name was Joseph in Aramaic is “nabas” which refers to a “prophet” or “inspired man.” This seems to reflect his life.

Since Barnabas was not a descendant of Aaron, if he served as a priest, he would have assisted other priests e.g. cleaning the temple, making sure things were in order or singing at morning or evening sacrifices.

We also know that Joseph/Barnabas was born in Cypress, a large Island in the Mediterranean Sea. We will see how this plays a role in ministry.

Apparently Barnabas had means/some form of wealth because he sold a field and gave the proceeds to the apostles. This reflects his heart toward JESUS, supporting the ministry of the Gospel and the followers of JESUS.

Our giving and support of our church, missionaries and Christian efforts are a reflection of our hearts and the need to spread the Gospel from where we live to the far reaches of the world.  

Let’s read Acts 9:26-27:

26 When he (Saul/Paul) arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to associate with the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple.

Saul was Paul’s Hebrew name. After Saul’s acceptance of JESUS as his Savior, he referred to himself, later in ministry, as Paul, his Greek/Roman name. Although Paul was born a Jew in Tarsus, he had Roman citizenship.

Saul studied under the well known Jewish Rabbi Gamaliel. Saul was a Pharisee and as a dedicated Jew had a passion to prevent the Christian movement from developing because he believed the followers of JESUS were a threat to the Jewish religion. He guarded the clothes of the Jews who were stoning to death the first Christian martyr, Stephen.

Saul asked the High Priest to give him permission to go to Damascus to round up some of these followers of JESUS, who referred to themselves as “The Way.” Saul was en-route to Damascus with soldiers when JESUS encountered Saul. Saul/Paul’s testimony is recorded in Acts Chapter 26.

Saul/Paul accepted JESUS as his Savior and was baptized in Damascus by Ananias, a disciple (not one of the twelve) of JESUS.

Saul/Paul preached about JESUS in Damascus and the Jews wanted to kill him. Saul/Paul went from the hunter to being the hunted. Saul/Paul had to leave Damascus in secret because of the Jews poised to kill him. Saul/Paul went into the desert for 3 years and then he went to Jerusalem. (There is debate about the timing of Saul/Paul’s time in the desert. So what I have presented is what I think. Some think he went to Jerusalem and then went into the desert.)

Saul/Paul being a Christian wanted to meet the disciples of JESUS and he wanted to fellowship and serve along with them. But the Christian leaders in Jerusalem were afraid of Saul/Paul because of his past. They did not know his intentions. Did he want to appear to be a Christian just to find out the names of those who were following and serving JESUS so he could arrest them? So the Christian leaders in Jerusalem were skeptical of Saul/Paul. GOD always has a plan and purpose for each of us. A Christian named Barnabas came into the life of Saul/Paul. This brings us to verse 27. (We do not know when Barnabas became a Christian.)

Have you been used by GOD in another person’s life? Have others come into your life to help you or vouch for you?

27 Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how, on the road, Saul had seen the Lord, and that He had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.

Barnabas vouched for Saul/Paul as having a genuine encounter with JESUS and was a Christian through faith in JESUS and had been born-again into the family of GOD through the miracle of rebirth. Saul/Paul could be trusted and welcomed into the Christian fellowship without fear.

GOD always has a plan to position us where HE needs us and HE uses many different ways to accomplish HIS purpose. We saw in last week’s study that GOD used the need for food to relocate Naomi and her family to Moab and in doing so it resulted in her daughter-in-law, Ruth, coming back to Bethlehem with her to be in the ancestral lineage of JESUS. 

Let’s read Acts 11:19-26:

19 Those who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message to no one except Jews.

When Stephen was stoned to death the followers of JESUS became very concerned. The Christians in Jerusalem left and relocated to many other areas. This is referred to as the Diaspora or dispersion of Christians to other areas. 

This was GOD’S way of spreading the Gospel of JESUS to others throughout the area.

20 But there were some of them, Cypriot and Cyrenian men, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Hellenists, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.

Notice that GOD called Barnabas to go to Antioch to minister among those to whom he could relate. They could relate to him because he was born on the Island of Cypress. Most of us know the joy of meeting those who live where we have lived or grown up.  A trust and camaraderie factor is often established.

JESUS taught that all Christians are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. When Christians are relocated, they take truth, JESUS, with them. Placing one’s faith in JESUS is the only way for a person to get to Heaven. (The words of JESUS are recorded in John 14:6 confirming that fact - 6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”)

These relocated Christians proclaimed the good news about “The LORD JESUS” to the Hellenists. The Hellenists were, in general, Jews who spoke Greek or the term could apply to non-Jews who spoke Greek thus Gentiles. So these Greek speaking Christians who relocated from Jerusalem or other areas told these Greek speaking Jews and non-Jews/Gentiles about JESUS and HIS passion. As a result -----

21 The Lord's hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.

These Hellenists placed their faith in JESUS and became CHRIST followers. Up to this time the term Christian had not been used.

22 Then the report about them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel as far as Antioch.

They, the leaders of the Christian church in Jerusalem, sent a man they trusted and could speak Greek to assess what was going on in Antioch. The Christian leaders in Jerusalem wanted to know if these CHRIST followers in Antioch were being told the truth regarding JESUS , HIS passion, salvation, the resurrection, walking upon earth for 40 days post resurrection, ascension, etc.

23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with a firm resolve of the heart-

When Barnabas arrived in Antioch he was excited to witness the hand of GOD at work through these fellow Christians. HE saw GOD’S grace extended to all who placed their faith in JESUS. Notice that he “encouraged” them.

The dilemma the Christian leaders in Jerusalem were pondering was, “did a non-Jew need to become a Jew before he or she could become a Christian?” 

Barnabas witnessed firsthand that the non-Jews/Gentiles, who placed their faith in JESUS, received GOD’S Grace by being born anew into GOD’S family through the miracle of rebirth and receiving of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is GOD’S guarantee of salvation.

24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith-and large numbers of people were added to the Lord.

Barnabas had the gift of discernment and immediately knew that truth was being preached and lives were being changed by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. He saw opportunity. He was led by the Holy Spirit to get help. Who did GOD want to relocate and activate?

25 Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul,

Saul/Paul had been put on a ship by the disciples in Jerusalem about 10 years earlier and shipped him to Tarsus, his hometown.

Saul/Paul had ruffled some feathers in Jerusalem among the Jews, so the Christian leaders sent him back to his hometown, Tarsus. Barnabas knew that. Barnabas needed someone he could trust. He needed someone who knew the truth to lead others to JESUS.  So the Holy Spirit led him to think of Saul/Paul. Then Barnabas had to make a decision to remain in Antioch or go find Saul/Paul?

Barnabas was a man of action. He could have thought, “Oh, I cannot leave this thriving ministry and go search for Saul/Paul.” Barnabas’ ego did not deter him from doing what he was prompted to do. He went to Tarsus to find Saul/Paul and as a result not only were the people of Paul’s time period blessed but all since have been blessed.

Who do we owe that to other than GOD? It is Barnabas who obediently responded to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

26 and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers, and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Barnabas found Saul/Paul in Tarsus and Saul/Paul relocated to Antioch where they served together for a year. It was in Antioch that the followers of CHRIST were first called “Christians.” WOW! That is exciting. GOD relocates us to accomplish HIS will and purpose.

As Christians, are we willing to respond when the Holy Spirit calls us into service? Blessings!!!