This Guy "gets It": The Story Of Barnabas Series

Memorial Day Video ahead of me.

Today we wrap our 6-week series in the middle of Acts by looking at Barnabas. Barnabas is in fact his nickname. Now, sometimes we can be cruel with our nicknames. We can call a big man “tiny” or a slow-footed person “lightening.” When we think about some of our best nicknames, we think of some of our favorite athletes.

And baseball seems to be the sport with the best nicknames. There’s Lawrence Berra was “Yogi”, Willy Mays was the “Say Hey Kid”, or Pete Rose as “Charlie Hustle.” We also think of family where we call our grandfather Pops. Or even Mafia nicknames such as Teflon Don. Barnabas got his nickname because his personality. Let’s jump right into the story.

“Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 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 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. 27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.” (Acts 11:19–30)

Three Quick Facts You Need to Know about Barnabas

As you read through Acts, it’s obvious that God wants to us to be like Barnabas.

1. Barnabas was a Good Man

The first time we met Barnabas, we learn he is selling some of his property to feed the poor (Acts 4:36-37). Barnabas was highly admired & respected. Luke says of him, “he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:24b) There was a genuineness to him & a sincerity about him that was rare. In fact, look what Barnabas is doing in our story: “When he came … he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose…” (Acts 12:23)

1. Barnabas was a Good Man

2. Barnabas was a Bridge-Builder

The 2nd time Barnabas pops up is when Saul switches his allegiance to Christ. While everyone is skeptical of Saul/Paul, Barnabas stands up for him by vouching for him to other apostles/disciples (Acts 9:27). Barnabas invites Paul into the inner circles of the church leadership when few knew they could trust him. Now, Barnabas could have held onto the memory of Saul killing Stephen, yet he let go of this. Do you know you could do that? Instead of holding on to possible bitterness, Barnabas was bridge-builder. If two sides wouldn’t or couldn’t come together, they would come to Barnabas. It was as if people said, “I’ll meet you at Barnabas.”

1. Barnabas was a Good Man

2. Barnabas was a Bridge-Builder

3. You Would Have Liked Barnabas

If you were to meet Barnabas you would remember Barnabas. He had a warm personality. He was a magnet for people. Barnabas was Joseph’s nickname & his nickname means “son of encouragement.” If you saw him coming your way, you’d meet him halfway if not run to him. People enjoyed being around Barnabas. In today’s story, he hears about a bunch of new believers in Antioch & he travels there to encourage them (Acts 11:22–23). Barnabas is like fertilizer to your soil! Everybody should have a Barnabas in their life. Everybody wants a Barnabas in their lives.

Keep those three characteristics of Barnabas in front of you as we circle back for our story.

1. Ordinary People Make an Extraordinary Difference

Let me lead you away from Barnabas for the moment before we return to him in a few moments: “Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 11:19-20)