Barnabas, Son of Encouragement

Acts 9: 26-30

“26 When he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went in and out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He spoke and argued with the Hellenists; but they were attempting to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.”

The Disciples did not believe that Saul was truly a disciple of Christ, but Barnabas (whose name means Son of Encouragement) vouched for him before the Apostles.  It is because of Barnabas that Saul was accepted by the disciples in Jerusalem and rescued when the Hellenists (Greek speaking Jews) tried to kill him.

I can think of many people in my life who have helped me along the way in my Christian journey.  If it had not been for them I do not know where I would be now.  I am sure that throughout Saul’s life he was grateful to Barnabas and the support Barnabas gave him in that crucial time of his life.

As Christians, we are to follow the example of Barnabas and build up other believers, to encourage them, to strengthen them, and to show them the way.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)