Barnabas’ Encouragement

William Ward said, “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.” (Source Unknown). … More

Encouragement

After his conversion Paul spent three years (many days) with the believers in Damascus (v. 23, Gal. 1:18). The Jewish leaders in Damascus had finally had enough of this ex-Pharisee turned traitor. They plotted to kill him (v. 23) and watched the gates of the city day and night to make sure he could not slip past them and escape (v. 24). But by God’s providence, Paul was warned of the danger (v. 24), and, with the help of some friends, he was lowered over the side of the city wall in a basket under the cover of darkness (v. 25). 

Paul didn’t allow his near brush with death to turn him into a basket case. Instead, he took the opportunity to return to Jerusalem, hoping to join with the disciples there (v. 26). Understandably, the believers in Jerusalem were afraid of him. This was the same the Saul, after all, who had been “ravaging the church … committing them to prison” (Acts 8:3). In an act of true courage, Barnabas, like Ananias before him (Acts 9:17), willingly approached and befriended Paul (v. 27). Barnabas must have listened very carefully to Paul as he shared his testimony with him. Barnabas then took Paul to meet the apostles. It was Barnabas (not Paul) who declared to them Paul’s amazing testimony of conversion on the road to Damascus and how Paul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus (v. 27).  

After meeting the Apostles, Paul was able to temporally join the church fellowship in Jerusalem. He preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Jerusalem just as he had done in Damascus (v. 28). Paul picked up where Stephen had left off (Acts 7:8-10), debating with the Hellenists (Greek speaking Jews) (v. 29). And not surprisingly, the Jews in Jerusalem wanted to kill Paul. He was saved by his friends who brought him down to Caesarea, and from there he went on to Tarsus (v. 30). Paul’s departure marked the beginning of a time of peace and progress for the church. Walking in the fear of the Lord and comforted by the Holy Spirit the church multiplied greatly (v. 31). 

Application

In today’s passage, Barnabas set an excellent example for us of how to courageously listen to a fellow believer’s story. Do we care about the people around us at church or are we just there for our own encouragement? I want to be a “son of encouragement” like Barnabas. 

Acts 9:23-31 (English Standard Version)


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