The Bible gives us many great examples through its many books and chapter. Some teach us the right way to live. While others are meant to teach us the wrong way to live. In some cases, we are only offered a brief glimpse into one life. Yet, others we are able to follow for some time and see how they respond to multiple situations. Barnabas is one of the good examples given in scripture. As well as one that we see life through multiple situations that we still face today. He is truly an example that every Christian should strive to follow after.
A Strong Believer In The Mission
We are first introduced to Barnabas in Acts chapter four. He seems to show up at the very start of the early church. Possibly one of those won on the day of Pentecost or when Peter and John healed the lame man at the temple. However he came to be a member of the church, we quickly see that he truly believed in the mission of the church. As such he was willing to sell a piece of property and give all the money to the Apostles.
Acts 4:36–37 (ESV)
36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Barnabas wanted to see the gospel spread and souls saved. So he gave all that he had to see that take place. He didn’t value money or positions more than he did the church. His willingness to give to the Apostles without question showed that he truly trusted them as leaders. Believing that they were placed in their position by God. That they would use the money properly for the purpose it was intended. He held a view of those in spiritual authority over him that we should still have of those today who God has given to lead us.
Believer In God’s Powers Of Redemption
When everyone else was afraid of Paul after his conversation Barnabas trusted that God could redeem anyone. Even a man who had been the driving force in persecuting the church. He didn’t question Paul’s salvation or have a wait-and-see attitude. No, he truly believed that Paul had been saved and that at that moment God had changed him. So he vouched for him before the whole church.
Acts 9:26–28 (ESV)
26 And 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 and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.
It was because of Barnabas that the rest of the church was willing to accept Paul as one of them. Paul was human just like anyone of us there is no telling what would have become of him if the other believers had not accepted him. It is possible that it could have been enough the lead him down a completely different path. But because Barnabas was a Godly man Paul was quickly accepted and went on to do mighty things for the Lord.
Too often today Christians are not willing to quickly accept the converts who we knew were once enemies of the Gospel. Or that lived a life of great sin. Which is in itself a great sin and disservice to the message of Christ. Which says all people can be saved. A message that Barnabas understood well.
Not Ashamed To Stand In The Shadows
Barnabas soon started traveling with Paul to bring the gospel message to distant lands. While we read much of the actions and teachings of Paul. Little if anything is said about what Barnabas would do while on the road. From this, we can assume that he was happy to play a supporting role. Allowing Paul to become the face of the movement while he served in the shadows.
This idea can be further cemented by a passage of scripture in which a certain group of people believed the men to be gods in human form. The passage shows us that Paul was considered the chief speaker. While Barnabas’s role is not explicitly mentioned, but we know that he was not the one taking center stage before those they brought the Gospel to.
Acts 14:11–12 (ESV)
11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
The truth of the matter is that we are not all meant to be pastors or teachers. Not every Christian will have a ministry that is well known but that does not mean that what they are doing is any less important. Everyone needs a support system even those who are being greatly used by God. Truthfully some of the great things in ministry happen in the shadows where no one can see.
So don’t be consumed with trying to become well known. Instead, accept where God has placed you and serve Him to the best of your ability. Nothing you do in service to God is in vain even when no one else sees it. Barnabas knew this and he happily served the Lord by assisting Paul spread the Gospel.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Quick To Give God The Glory
The very same people who believed that they were gods tried to worship them as such. Barnabas and Paul quickly stopped them and gave the glory for all their actions to God alone. Explaining that they were just men like unto them.
Acts 14:14–18 (ESV)
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
While today we probably never have to worry about people attempting to offer sacrifices to us we do need to not accept more glory than we deserve. Often people will speak of the great life a Christian is living. Which may be well and true, but that is only because of the work that God has done in their life. As well, as the blessing, He has generously poured out on them. As such we should all be quick to give God the glory because we know it is only because of Him we are living the life we now are.
A Man Of Second Chance
Jesus said to always forgive those who have wronged us and offer them a second chance. Which is just what Barnabas did for Mark. The very man who had left him and Paul on a previous missionary journey. An action that would have greatly inconvenienced them as they need all the help they could get on their journeys. Breaking the bond of trust to the point that even Paul was not willing to take Mark again. Yet, Barnabas fought for him. Knowing it was what God would want them to do.
Acts 15:36–38 (ESV)
36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.
When someone wrongs us it is never easy to forgive them and give them the opportunity to wrong us again. But living a Christian God-centered life isn’t easy. Sometimes it is about trusting God and doing as His word says. Just as we see that Barnabas was willing to do.
But Still Human
Barnabas is a great example to us not just because he was righteous all the time. You see scripture shows us that he was human like us and at times had he shortcoming. But those shortcomings didn’t stop God from using him. For instance, he disagreed strongly with Paul about taking Mark with them. To the point of splitting the two up for good. Yet, he still continued down the missionary path serving the Lord.
Acts 15:39 (ESV)
39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,
At an early time, we read that he briefly fell into following the crowd instead of God. An issue with Paul had to correct. Barnabas along with other disciples accepted Paul’s correction. And the two continued to serve together after this issue was resolved.
Galatians 2:11–14 (ESV)
11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
Follow After His Example
The Apostle Paul wrote that the actions of the Israelites were recorded to act as an example for the following generation. I believe that the same statement is true about the actions that the Bible records after that. We should look to the scripture to learn how to live. Following the good examples and learning from the bad ones.
Barnabas is one of the examples to strive after. His life teaches us many lessons in how to live that are just as applicable today as they were in his day. Take what you can learn from Barnabas and apply it in your own life. Living for God in a way that aligns with his word and blesses others.
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