Barnabas: A Study in Submission

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Barnabas A Study in Submission

• Forest Hills Bible Chapel
• 7 October 2007

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Who was Barnabas?

• A Levite, from Cyprus i.e., a Jewish believer
  in Jesus.
• He was cousin to John Mark the author of the
  second Gospel.
• Some have suggested that Barnabas was the author
  of Hebrews see Hebrews 1322.
• His real name was Joseph but the apostles called
  him Barnabas (sometimes spelled Barnabus)
  son of encouragement!

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Episode 1 Acts 432-37

• 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind.
  No one claimed that any of his possessions was
  his own, but they shared everything they had. 33
  With great power the apostles continued to
  testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
  and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were
  no needy persons among them. For from time to
  time those who owned lands or houses sold them,
  brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at
  the apostles feet, and it was distributed to
  anyone as he had need.

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Episode 1 Acts 432-37

• 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the
  apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of
  Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and
  brought the money and put it at the apostles
  feet.

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Episode 1 Acts 432-37

• In the context of Acts, Barnabas is contrasted
  with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 51-11.
• Barnabas was one who willfully gave of what he
  had to help others.
• He laid the proceeds at the apostles feet
  respecting the authority of the apostles.

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Episode 2 Acts 926-30

• 26 When Saul came to Jerusalem, he tried to
  join the disciples, but they were all afraid of
  him, not believing that he really was a disciple.
  27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the
  apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey
  had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to
  him, and how in Damascus he had preached
  fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul
  stayed with them and moved about freely in
  Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the
  Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Grecian
  Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the
  brothers learned of this, they took him down to
  Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

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Episode 2 Acts 926-30

• Barnabas was an advocate for a new believer
  he was willing to trust, and was an illustration
  of Lovebelieves all things.
• Barnabas did his homework he took the time to
  get to know Paul and his story.
• Humanly speaking, without Barnabas, there would
  have been no Paul.

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Episode 3 Acts 1122-26, 29-30

• 22 News of this reached the ears of the church at
  Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23
  When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace
  of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to
  remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24
  He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and
  faith, and a great number of people were brought
  to the Lord.

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Episode 3 Acts 1122-26, 29-30

• 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
  26 and when he found him, he brought him to
  Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul
  met with the church and taught great numbers of
  people. The disciples were called Christians
  first at Antioch. 29 The disciples, each
  according to his ability, decided to provide help
  for the brothers living in Judea. 30 This they
  did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas
  and Saul.

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Episode 3 Acts 1122-26, 29-30

• Barnabas, a long-standing member of the Christian
  community, was willing to recruit Saul.
• From Barnabas and Saul (Acts 1126, 30 1225
  131, 7) to Paul and Barnabas (Acts 139,
  1342, and all following references).
• Barnabas was not jealous he placed the message
  of the gospel ahead of his own personal
  aspirations.

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Episode 4 Acts 1536-40

• 36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, Let us
  go back and visit the brothers in all the towns
  where we preached the word of the Lord and see
  how they are doing. 37 Barnabas wanted to take
  John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul
  did not think it wise to take him, because he had
  deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued
  with them in the work.

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Episode 4 Acts 1536-40

• 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they
  parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for
  Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left,
  commended by the brothers to the grace of the
  Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia,
  strengthening the churches.

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Episode 4 Acts 1536-40

• Barnabas wanted to give John Mark a second
  chance.
• Blood relations aside, Barnabas seems to be one
  who believes in second chances.
• In Gods providence, both Paul (with Silas) and
  Barnabas (with John Mark) had profitable
  ministries.
• A couple of postscripts see 2 Timothy 411 and
  1 Peter 513.