Barnabas was the name given by the apostles to Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus. It means ‘son of consolation or encouragement’. Barnabas lived up to his name; he was characteristically an encourager.
Barnabas was marked by self sacrifice. He sold property and presented the proceeds to the apostles. He was willing to use his resources to further the cause of Christ and help his poor fellow disciples. In our materialistic age, we need to realise that all we have comes from God and should be used for His glory.
Barnabas showed brotherly concern when Saul of Tarsus presented himself at the assembly in Jerusalem. The disciples were reluctant to accept him for they thought his conversion was a ruse to infiltrate their ranks. Barnabas was willing to sponsor Saul. He took him to the apostles and vouched for the reality of his experience of the risen Christ. Thus he proved himself a true friend to Saul and allayed fears and suspicions.
Barnabas had generosity of spirit. The Jerusalem church sent him to assess the situation in Antioch when news came of a spiritual awakening there. When Barnabas saw what God’s grace had done he rejoiced. There was no jealousy. He did not regard what had happened at Antioch as of little moment because he had not been involved in it.
Barnabas was highly effective in pastoral care. Although the Antioch assembly included raw Gentile converts and he was steeped in the Old Testament, he encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. His great aim was to encourage spiritual stability, and the work in Antioch progressed under his ministry. The key to his success lay in his Christian character. Above all Barnabas was a good man – this means he was kind and big-hearted, deeply interested in people and their spiritual progress. His ministry was certainly not cold or clinical. He was habitually controlled by the Holy Spirit and characterised by faith. God’s people today need leaders with features like these.
