TOPIC: ELEVEN QUALITIES OF APOSTLE BARNABAS”

Read: Acts 11:19-30(NKJV)

19. Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.

20. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.

21. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

22. Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.

23. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.

24. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

25. Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.

26. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

27. And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.

28. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.

29. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.

30. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

MESSAGE

 Barnabas the son of encouragement might not be as popular as Apostle Paul, however, he is notable in the Bible. Barnabas is so trustworthy and grounded in the faith that he was sent as far as Antioch to disciple new converts (v.22). He was a mentor who identified and built up rising stars (vv. 23 & 25); not giving up on ‘rejected’ vessels like John Mark but moulding them under God into veritable instruments (Acts 15:36-41). He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith (v.24). He was a committed teacher and great giver who devoted a whole year to disciple new converts and also sold his land for the gospel (v.26; Acts 4:36 to 37). Those he mentored were so sound in the faith that people first called them Christians in Antioch (v.26).

Barnabas was trusted, with Saul, to deliver relief donated for needy brethren in Judea. He was also an evangelist who engaged in many missionary escapades with Apostle Paul (Acts 13). Evaluate your life along the above qualities. How committed and trustworthy are you? What level of sacrifice of time and resources are you putting in God’s work? Are you a fire extinguisher of rising stars? Learn from Barnabas. Be filled with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to control you so that you will live a life with divine qualities and produce sound disciples to the glory of God.

PRAYER:

Oh God, help us to radiate these godly qualities of Apostle Barnabas.

The Anglican Communion is the fourth-largest Christian denomination. Founded in 1867 in London, England, the communion currently has 85 million members within the Church of England and other national and regional churches in full communion.