The Character of Barnabas “Bible Study”
This study will explain why I have the Barnabas Club (Card Ministry).
Barnabas was a man who was very instrumental in the spread of the Gospel in the early days of the church. (This is the number one reason we have service through our card ministry). Yet, he is not as well known as Paul who we consider to be the first, and greatest, missionary in church history. (The members of the club will work behind the scenes to promote the gospel) Of course, God could have used someone else to facilitate Paul’s introduction to the church and to launch his missionary career, but He used Barnabas. (And Christ chooses to work through all of us today)
Let’s look at this great early church leader through snapshots we get from various scripture passages mentioning him.
Up first, is Acts 4:36-37. Let us read it together!
“And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
In this scripture, we learn a great deal about Barnabas from the first words given in the scriptures about him. Barnabas was originally named Joses, which is the same as Joseph. But the apostles gave him a new name—Barnabas. This name means son of consolation or encouragement. It comes from the same root as the name often used by the Lord when talking about the Holy Spirit—Comforter. Barnabas is seen in the scriptures providing help, encouragement, comfort, and wisdom to those around him. In many ways he acted like the Holy Spirit in the lives of the apostles. (The aim of the card ministry is described in the character of Barnabas “encourager”)
These verses also tell us that he was a Jew from the tribe of Levi. Barnabas was from Cyprus yet we know that he was very involved in the church in Jerusalem and Antioch. In his life he traveled the known world with Paul and Mark. (Through the card ministry we can also travel the world to do the work of the spirit.)
Barnabas sold his property in order to donate to the early church. His sacrifice stood in stark contrast to Ananias and Sapphira whose story is in the chapter after this one. They sold their land in a show of pride, yet were not really committed to giving to the Lord from their heart. They were killed by the Spirit of God while Barnabas was praised. Finally, Barnabas is seen in the scriptures providing help, encouragement, comfort, and wisdom to those around him. In many ways he acted like the Holy Spirit in the lives of the apostles. (With your cooperation in our card ministry we can sacrifice our time and money for the spread of the gospel.)
Acts 9:26-27
“And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.”
Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor of the church, had just gotten saved in the previous verses and had his name changed to Paul. Justifiably, the people in the church were skeptical of Paul’s true purpose in coming into their ranks. Barnabas had already met Paul and was willing to stand up and vouch for Paul’s authenticity as a Christian. (Paul sought to become in full communion with the men. He wanted to be among the church leaders doing what God called Him to do. Alongside one another in our card ministry we will reach all the people God puts is our path.)
Barnabas was sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It could not have been easy to stand up to the church and try to convince them that the man who shortly before was beating and imprisoning Christians was now a believer. Barnabas had enough of a reputation in the Jerusalem church by this time to be trusted by the congregation. On the word of Barnabas, they allowed their former enemy to become one of them. (Together in service in the card ministry we can reach the unreachable, the lonely, the depressed, and the sick.)
Acts 11:22-24
“Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.”
The Gospel was being preached to the Gentiles and many began to believe on the Lord as their Savior. But the church at Jerusalem was not sure that this was appropriate. They were not aware, or not confident in, the vision Peter had in Acts 10 which gave him the mandate to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. Barnabas was sent to investigate. Again, the church at Jerusalem trusted the character and decision-making of their friend Barnabas. When he returned with the report that God was truly doing a work among the Gentiles in Antioch, the church accepted his assessment. So much so, that Barnabas then left the church in Jerusalem to seek Paul so that they two could go and be a help to the church in Antioch. They did this by taking an offering from the Jerusalem church and by preaching to the people in Antioch. (The early church wanted to keep the gospel for themselves, but Paul and Barnabas were convinced that everyone needed the gospel and they were going to the gentiles. With your service in our card ministry we can reach people of all races, creeds, and ages.)
Acts 13:1-3
“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
Here we see the story of the first time Barnabas and Saul were sent out as missionaries. It is interesting to note that for a while Barnabas is listed before Paul (or Saul) when talking about this missionary team. Barnabas seems to have been the leader recognized by the church at Antioch. At some point in Acts the leadership switched. Paul took over as the leader of the team.
Barnabas did not demand his authority. He existed to help others accomplish their ministry. He was a great example of the need for encourages in the spread of the gospel. God used Barnabas to bring others to their full capacity in ministry. We see this with the relationship that Barnabas had with Paul. This mentoring of weaker brothers that Barnabas did even caused some tension between him and Paul in regards to Mark. (Today, we need a missionary team at-home. Our missionary field is where God has placed. Through our service in the card ministry we make a difference right-here at home.)
Acts 15:37-40
“And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.”
John Mark had abandoned Barnabas and Paul during their first missionary journey (Acts 13:13). Obviously Paul was not happy with what had happened. He and Barnabas ended up parting ways because of the contention between them concerning taking Mark on the next journey.
There are different opinions as to who was right and who was wrong in this matter. My personal thought is that God used this parting of ways between these two great men in order to multiply the effectiveness of their ministries. Paul took Silas with him and trained another man in ministry. Barnabas set out on his travels with John Mark and mentored him into a profitable servant of God. Paul even acknowledged this fact years later when he asked that Mark be sent to him because he found John Mark to be profitable to the ministry after Barnabas had invested so much time and training in him (2 Timothy 4:11). (Here we learn that we can minister to others. In fact, God calls us all to be ministers of the gospel. (Therefore, with your service in the card ministry we can minister to others. The messages we send convey the thoughts of the sender; it conveys the light and the love that are found in Jesus Christ. We desire to express the love that flows from God’s heart into our hearts and out to the hearts of others.)
Acts 11: 27-30
27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
Barnabas, along with Saul, organized the collection of funds among Gentile Christians to help their fellow Jewish believers in Judea. They were languishing under a severe famine. Though one faith community was primarily Jewish and the other mainly Gentile, both groups strove for unity by helping the other in any way they could. Barnabas and Saul took the monies collected to Jerusalem, and the funds were distributed in an appropriate manner to the believers in need. (With your service in our card ministry we can appropriately organize and provide to the direct needs of the people.)
Barnabas Questions:
Do you know someone like Barnabas?
What makes the character of Barnabas?
Do you have the character traits of Barnabas? Which ones could you add into your personality?
Conclusion:
Barnabas was a man of compassion, encouragement, and who could befriend just about anyone? We need men and women like this early church leader. He took young, immature Christians whom others did not trust and turned them into strong leaders for the ministry of the Lord. If you consider yourself a Barnabas in character, be sure to stay connected to God’s Word and don’t let truth slip, because of a desire to please others.
