Lesson 11
Barnabas,
an altruistic and supportive leader
Acts 11.19-26
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews.
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.
21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
Acts 11.24
GOLDEN TEXT
Understand that Barnabas stood out as a leader for:
* his detachment;
* his humility;
* and for knowing how to open the path of leadership for others.
OBJECTIVES
Interestingly, the book of Acts of the apostles devotes little attention to some of those who were part of the apostolic group. Luke highlighted the accomplishments of Peter, James, Paul and John in this work.
INTRODUCTION
While Barnabas was not part of the group of twelve, he is mentioned in emblematic episodes of this historical volume.
INTRODUCTION
Clement of Alexandria,
one of the fathers of the Church, informs us that Barnabas was part of the group of 70 disciples sent by Jesus to carry out a specific work of evangelization
(Luke 10.1-3).
THE GREAT LEADER IS UNSELFISH
1 - THE GREAT LEADER
IS UNSELFISH
Barnabas was a Levite who was among the prophets and teachers of the Church of Antioch (Acts 13:1; Eph 4:11).
Known by the name of Joseph, coming from the island of Cyprus, this important New Testament character was also called by his colleagues Barnabas, which means son of consolation (At 4.36).
1 - THE GREAT LEADER
IS UNSELFISH
Barnabas stripped himself of his material possessions.
He understood that the time had come for Paul to take the leadership.
When we read that Peter was ignorant (At 4.13), it means that he, a simple fisherman from Galilee, did not enjoy the same academic privileges as the so-called doctors. Saul, who was not part of the group of the Twelve, had his formation at the feet of Gamaliel, a respected Jewish rabbi (At 22.3).
1.1 – Barnabas stripped himself of his material possessions.
Barnabas was a man of possessions, but, as he was completely dedicated to the cause of the gospel, he renounced the goods he owned, depositing the values at the feet of the apostles to dedicate himself exclusively to the work of God (Acts 4:36,37).
1.1 – Barnabas stripped himself of his material possessions.
With Barnabas we learn that, although detachment is not an obligation imposed on the disciples of Jesus, the man of God should not have a heart attached to material things (1 Tm 6.10,11).
1.2 – It was about time for
Paul to take the leadership.
Barnabas and Saul reached the island of Paphos, and the proconsul Sergius Paulus called them to hear the word of God from them (Acts 13:7). But a man named Elymas, charming, tried to dissuade the proconsul from such an attempt (At 13.8).
1.2 – It was about time for
Paul to take the leadership.
Discerning the evil spirit that was at work in Elymas, Saul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebuked the man, who was instantly blinded (Acts 13:9-11).
THE GREAT LEADER IS SUPPORTIVE
2 - THE GREAT LEADER IS SUPPORTIVE
No one wanted to believe the news that Saulo had converted. Early converts to the Christian faith thought it was a fake.
2 - THE GREAT LEADER IS SUPPORTIVE
Barnabas introduced Saul to the church in Jerusalem;
He introduced Saul to the church at Antioch;
He tutored Mark.
2.1 – Barnabas introduced
Saul to the church in Jerusalem
Barnabas had spiritual discernment (Acts 9:27). Saulo was only accepted into the Jerusalem church because Barnabas ensured his conversion. He had credibility in the church; so, it didn't take long for the brothers to recognize that the son of consolation was right.
2.2 - He introduced Saul to the church at Antioch
The son of consolation acted as the apostle's tutor to the Gentiles. Barnabas observed Saul's behavior and saw in him the possibility of taking the gospel to many peoples and nations.
2.2 - He introduced Saul to the church at Antioch
▶ when the church in Jerusalem began to suffer persecution against the believers, some left for Samaria. (At 11.19,21)
2.2 – Barnabas introduced Saul to the church at Antioch
▶ The church in Jerusalem became aware of the fact and sent Barnabas there (Acts 11:22,23). Again, the son of consolation went in search of Saul. Both remained in Antioch for a year, and there, for the first time, the disciples were called Christians (Acts 11:25, 26).
2.3 – Barnabas tutored Mark
During the first missionary journey, when they arrived in Pamphylia, the young John Mark, cousin-nephew of Barnabas, who accompanied them, returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13.13).
2.3 – Barnabas tutored Mark
After returning from the first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching, then Paul said to Barnabas: Let us visit our brothers again in all the cities where we have already preached the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing (At 15.36).
2.3 – Barnabas tutored Mark
Barnabas wanted to give young John Mark another chance, but Paul disagreed with him, based on their experience in Pamphylia (Acts 15:38,19).
Just as Barnabas had been responsible for Saul, he now tutored the younger man.
2.3 – Barnabas tutored Mark
Investing in John Mark was worth it. Paul himself saw in him, years later, someone useful to him in the ministry (2 Tm 4.11).
THE GREAT LEADER IS A GOOD MAN, FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FAITH
A good man
A man full of the Holy Spirit
A man full of faith
3 - THE GREAT LEADER IS A GOOD MAN, FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FAITH
3.1 – A good man
There is a relative difference between good and bad men (Rom. 13:1-4). Barnabas' kindness in not caring about second place on the missionary team, when he was first, shows that the characteristic vices of a bad person were not part of his nature; therefore, the Bible calls him a good man).
3.2 - A man full of the Holy Spirit
Barnabas, filled with the Holy Spirit, won many souls for the Lord (Acts 11:24). However, as confirmed in the book of Acts of the Apostles, the expression filled (or filled) with the Holy Spirit appears nine more times besides this one.
3.2 - A man full of the Holy Spirit
Acts 2.4 - Acts 4.8 - Acts 4.31 - Acts 6.3 - Acts 6.5 - Acts 7.55 - Acts 9.17 - Acts 13.9 and Acts 13.52.
3.3 – A man full of faith
Barnabas had the faith to give up his possessions, in order to dedicate himself exclusively to the work of God, without fear that he lacked something. Nor did he lack the faith to get involved in the mission field, facing challenges and life risks wherever he went.
3.3 – A man full of faith
Barnabas lived, side by side with Paul, experiences of prodigious faith in the operation of miracles.
Barnabas was respected in the early church for his intellectual preparation and his spiritual seriousness. He exhaled the perfume of Christ in his leadership (2 Co 2.15), making his character, his intentions and his nobility of spirit transparent so that the work of the Lord would win.
CONCLUSION
Barnabas, with humility, managed to gather and train people to serve God.
CONCLUSION
GOD BLESS YOU!
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