He Was a Good Man
“For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.”
Acts 11:24
We are first introduced to Barnabas in Acts 4:36-37.
“And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
The first thing you notice about Barnabas is that he is an encourager. (That’s probably why the apostles gave him that nickname.)
Later it’s said of him:
“Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to ENCOURAGE them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;”
Acts 11:23
Second, he was a Levite.
Oxford Languages says a Levite was: “a member of the Hebrew tribe of Levi, especially of that part of it which provided assistants to the priests in the worship in the Jewish temple.” Barnabas was born into a “helper” clan.
Third, we note his generosity. He sold his land and gave it to the apostles. This money would be used for those in need.
Fourth, Barnabas could see the potential in a new convert named Saul, the one who had previously persecuted the church.
“But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.”
Acts 9:27
Later on, he went to bat for John Mark, who had deserted them previously but came back.
Barnabas could see his potential in spite of his past.
Unfortunately, Paul (who used to be Saul) disagreed, and this led to them splitting up.
“And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.”
Acts 15:39
That’s the last we hear of Barnabas, but Luke remembers him fondly:
“For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.”
Acts 11:24
What kind of legacy are we leaving?
Let’s strive to be like Barnabas: an encourager, a helper, generous, and one who could see the potential in someone!
