Articles
Barnabas
Barnabas
Have you ever stopped to think about how many people are given nicknames according to the physical attributes they possess? Nicknames such as “Slim”, “Stretch”, “Shorty”, “Red”, or “Freckles” are common among us today. Many times nicknames are given to people because of the emotional make-up that they portray in their lives. Nicknames such as “Grumpy”, “Bossy”, “Sourpuss”, “Sweetie”, “Hothead”, or “Grouchy” all convey something about that person’s demeanor. Generally, these nicknames are given to us by our friends and family members.
In Acts 4:36 we read, “And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus.” For Barnabas to have been nicknamed by the apostles was quite an honor. The word encouragement is used in many different ways in the New Testament. Words such as admonish, beseech, implore, inspire, console, comfort and edify all carry meanings that are very similar to encourage. For Barnabas to have been nicknamed the Son of Encouragement lets us know that he was a man with many outstanding characteristics. Barnabas was a man who was able to encourage Christians to do their very best. He was a man who was able to comfort and console Christians in the troubling times of the New Testament persecution. Barnabas was a man who was able to provide inspiration to his fellow Christians in their journeys toward heaven.
In Acts 9:26-27, Barnabas introduces and vouches for Paul to the church at Jerusalem when all of the others were afraid of Paul. Barnabas was able to see Paul’s true spirit and spoke on his behalf to the church. In Acts 11:19-24, Barnabas encouraged those at Antioch and brought the apostle Paul to Antioch. It is at Antioch where the brethren were first called “Christians.” In Acts 15:36-37, Barnabas took John Mark with him when the division between Paul and John Mark arose. Later, Paul calls for John Mark and says that he is useful to him. Barnabas is there with Paul throughout the book of Acts encouraging and inspiring Christians to be the very best they can be.
Wouldn’t it be great to be called a “Son or Daughter of Encouragement?” Can you be like Barnabas in your life? Can you inspire and motivate other Christians to be more like Christ in their journey to heaven? Can you console and comfort brothers and sisters when disappointment and troubles come into their lives? Can you build up or edify others when they fall or stumble?
How can we be more like Barnabas? Send someone a card or a note of thanks for what they have done. Be supportive of the work the church is doing. Keep a warm positive attitude. Let someone know that you were thinking of them or praying for them. Look for opportunities to do good.
The church would be a much better and stronger place if we had more Christians with the attitude of Barnabas.
Written by Larry Schneider
