Anyone Here Named Barnabas?
Have you heard a word of encouragement recently? I did today, from my dentist. I was in for a cleaning. Four x-rays were taken, and after much probing all over my mouth by a new very professional hygienist, Dr. Singh came in, examined the x-rays, and my mouth with a very foreboding light. He said, “everything looks good, see you in six months.” Also, I had an encouraging letter from the hospital detailing charges for my ER visit last month of over $7000. The bottom line read, “Amount you owe, $100.” To avoid the dentist’s drilling and to have a good insurance plan is encouraging, but our attention today is on “words of encouragement” for our Christian hygiene.
Barnabas is the primary example (Acts 4:36-37). His real name was Joseph but the apostles named him “Son of Encouragement.” The encouraging word spoken by Barnabas was his testimony to the resurrection of Jesus by great generosity to meet the needs of the new community – With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace was upon them all. There was no a needy person among them . . . (4:33-34). He put his money forth as testimony. That is an encouraging word.
In Acts, it seems that everywhere Barnabas shows up there is an encouraging word. Saul the persecutor of people of the Way is converted. When he returns to Jerusalem and tries to joins the disciples, no one believes he is genuine, except Barnabas. He tells his story to the apostles. Saul speaks boldly in the name of the Lord. A “word of encouragement” follows: The church had peace and was built up . . . it increased in numbers (9:31). When Barnabas people helped prosecutors become proclaimers that is encouraging.
Some of those persecuted by Saul, Cypriots, had fled to Antioch and began to proclaim the Lord not just to Jews but also to Greeks. A great number in that cosmopolitan city turned to Lord. Barnabas a Cypriot, was sent to investigate this boundary bursting event. He rejoiced at the grace of God and encouraged them all to be faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion (11:19-24). That is an encouraging word. But that is not all. Barnabas went to Tarsus, found Saul, and brought him to Antioch. Together they taught a great number of people. It was there that the disciples were first called Christians (11:26). That is truly an encouraging word.
How about it; would you like to be nicknamed Barnabas?
—Tom Yoakum