Barnabas is perhaps one of the least-known characters in the Bible, yet we can learn a lot from this man who was described as "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith" (Acts 11:24). Here are some of the things that we can learn from his example.
1. You should stand up for other believers in the Lord
One of the key roles that Barnabas played in the early Church was that he was the one who encouraged the Church to accept the soon-to-be-apostle Paul, who was then known as the Christian killer named Saul. Acts 9:26-28 describes it this way:
"When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus. So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord."
Understand that it was the Lord Jesus Himself who called Saul to be His servant (see Acts 9:3-6), yet His followers did not believe it because Saul had a reputation for persecuting them (see v.10-14, 26). It took a believer to make others believe that an unbeliever became a true believer. At times, some Christians need a Barnabas to believe in them before they could become accepted and show their true kingdom potential.
2. It's better to serve with a God-given partner
It was God Himself who chose Barnabas to partner with Paul in doing a mighty work (see Acts 13:2). We read that they did mighty exploits, preaching the gospel and refuting those who taught wrong teachings that were meant to deceive and mislead the people (see Acts 13-15), before they finally went their separate ways in Acts 15:39.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 tells us, "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."
Ask God for an accountability partner with whom you can serve Him with. If you are married, pray to the Lord that you and your spouse would partner in serving Him. Aside from the Holy Spirit, your spouse is the best partner you'll ever have (see Genesis 2:18).
3. You don't need to be recognised to make an impact
We read that after separating from Paul, Barnabas took with him Mark, who was the very reason for their separation in the first place (see Acts 15:36-40). You won't read of Barnabas' exploits after this incident, but the Bible gives clues about his continued ministry of encouragement to other believers.
This Mark is the same man Paul was referring to in Colossians 4:10 as "Barnabas' cousin," a man who "will be helpful to me in my ministry" (see 2 Timothy 4:11), and who scholars say wrote the book of Mark.
The very same man who abandoned Paul in the ministry became a helpful ministry man years later. Scholars speculate that it's because of the encouragement from his cousin Barnabas, the same man who believed in Paul when he was still Saul.
