“Our Beloved Barnabas”

GOLDEN TEXT: “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.” —Acts 11:24

ACTS 4:36, 37; 9:26, 27

BARNABAS is introduced to us as one of those who sincerely participated in the Early Church’s experiment with communism. The believers, having full confidence in the integrity of the apostles, sold their possessions and put the proceeds into a common treasury over which the apostles had jurisdiction. “Distribution was made unto every man according as he had need,” the record states.—Acts 4:34,35

Barnabas was a Levite, and, according to the original distribution of the land of Palestine among the tribes of Israel as it was carried out by Joshua, the Levitical tribe was given no land. But at the time of our lesson Israel had been a subject nation for more than six hundred years, first under Babylon, and then, successively, under Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. In this situation, there is a question as to whether the original arrangements concerning the land were adhered to.

At any rate, Barnabas possessed land which he sold, and brought the “money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” This act in itself does not necessarily prove his sincerity of heart and purpose. Paul suggests the possibility of giving all one’s goods to feed the poor, yet not being moved to do so by the right motive. (I Cor. 13:3) Ananias and Sapphira pretended to do the same thing, yet they turned out to be hypocrites.

However, there is every evidence that Barnabas was wholly sincere in making his sacrifice, and that the Lord blessed him in it. True consecration to the Lord means giving up all that we have. Unless there is a willingness on our part to do this, the Lord does not accept our offering. In the case of Barnabas, because he came into the church at the time when the believers had all things in common, his sacrifice meant an actual parting with all his material possessions.

However, the Lord has dealt differently with most of his people. Instead of expecting them actually to part with what they present to him, he makes them stewards over their “goods” with the understanding that they use their all in his service as directed by the instructions found in his Word. Thus the Lord tests the sincerity of our consecration, for he notes the degree to which we use our possessions for him, and to what extent, if any, we make provision for the flesh.

Joses was the original name of this beloved disciple. He was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles, evidently in recognition of his spirit of sympathy and understanding, this name signifying “son of consolation.” We see this characteristic manifested in the wonderful service he rendered by recommending Saul to the brethren at Jerusalem. These brethren—and not without reason—were afraid of Saul, but Barnabas, having been convinced of his sincerity, stood sponsor for him. Thus he consoled both the church at Jerusalem and Saul.

ACTS 11:19-26

THE providences of the Lord are tremendously important in a Christian’s life, for they have a direct relationship to the purposes of God which he accomplishes through his people. The time had come in the divine plan for the Gospel to go to the Gentiles. God had manifested his acceptance of Cornelius, and the news of this soon reached the ears of the brethren at Jerusalem and in other places.

Shortly before this, persecutions had begun to scatter many of the brethren, and wherever they went they proclaimed the Gospel, “but unto the Jews only.” Evidently, however, some of these missionaries must have heard of Peter’s experience with Cornelius, for when they reached Antioch, they began to preach to the Greeks, and with most encouraging results.

The news of this reached the church at Jerusalem, where Peter had so recently reported that God’s favor was being manifested upon Gentiles who accepted the Gospel; so the brethren there sent Barnabas to Antioch, feeling probably that he would be an impartial and understanding observer of what was actually occurring. And he was. The account states that when he reached Antioch and saw “the grace of God” he “was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should cleave unto the Lord.”

We should never permit our opinions to count for anything in the face of facts. Probably all of those early Jewish believers at one time held the opinion that the Gospel of Christ was exclusively for them; but how nobly they acknowledged their mistaken view when the facts proved that they were wrong. Jesus had explained that no one could come to him unless drawn by the Heavenly Father, so the fact that Gentiles were coming to Christ proved that God was drawing and accepting them.

Our Golden Text describes Barnabas as a “good man” and one who was filled with the Holy Spirit. Because of his wholesome and godly influence, “much people was added unto the Lord.” But regardless of how good Barnabas may have been, or how enthusiastic in the service of the truth, his ministry could not have brought anyone to the Lord apart from the divine drawing and blessing.

There could be no more outstanding evidence of divine blessing upon anyone’s ministry than the fact that through his efforts some are brought to the Lord. While the Lord is able to cause stones to proclaim his truth, our spiritual loss will be great if we do not empty our hearts of self, and permit him to fill us with his Spirit in order that we may be channels through which his truth flows out for the blessing of others.

ACTS 13:1-3

THE providences of God continued to direct in the life of the faithful Barnabas. After reaching Antioch and noting the wonderful field for service there was in that city, he thought of Saul, that able servant whom he had previously recommended to the brethren in Jerusalem. He found Saul in Tarsus, his home city, and persuaded him to return to Antioch with him and be a partner in the ministry.

They labored together for a year in Antioch and then were sent to Jerusalem to take “relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea.” (Acts 11:29,30) In due course they returned to Antioch. But by now the church at Antioch was well established, and there were several with ability to serve, so it was decided to send Saul and Barnabas on a missionary tour.

The credit for this decision is given to the Holy Spirit—“The Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work” of the ministry. This followed a season of service and fasting. Since the record emphasizes that there were three servants in the church besides Barnabas and Saul, it is reasonable to conclude that in this service the brethren were giving consideration to the possibility of using some of their number in a wider field.

Jesus, in promising to send the Holy Spirit, told the apostles that by it they would be endued with authority and were to go into all the world to preach the Gospel. The brethren in Antioch would therefore know that they had the authority of Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, to extend the ministry; and seeking further guidance in the matter, it was indicated that Barnabas and Saul were the Lord’s choice.

No details are given as to just how this decision was reached. The fact that the congregation seemingly had prospered spiritually while these two were on their mission to Jerusalem probably had a lot to do with it. If they could be spared to carry material aid to the brethren in Judea, could they not also be spared for a wider spiritual service? The Lord had revealed his will in no uncertain way, and it was for them now to follow his leadings faithfully, which they did.

QUESTIONS

Does consecration to the Lord always mean giving up all one’s possessions?

How did the providences of the Lord indicate to Barnabas how and where he was to serve?

In what sense did the Holy Spirit speak to the brethren at Antioch, telling them to send out Barnabas and Saul as missionaries?

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