Barnabas, a Man with a Good Name

Proverbs 22:1; Acts 4:36

INTRODUCTION: If asked to identity their favourite apostle, few would name Barnabas. In fact, most have no idea Barnabas was even an apostle. The sad state of things is that many Christians probably have never even heard the name of Barnabas. Yet, there is not a man among the apostles with a better name than the man formerly named Joses.

I. HE ESTABLISHED A REPUTATION

A. By Exemplary Behaviour (Acts 11:22-24)

1. In a practical sense
a. “He was a good man” (Acts 11:24)
b. He was “beloved” (Acts 15:25)
2. In a spiritual sense (Acts 11:24)
a. He was full of the Holy Ghost.
b. He was full of faith.

B. Rewarded in Name (Acts 4:36)

1. His beginnings
a. His name – “Joses”
b. His heritage – “a Levite”
2. His due name
a. The name – “Barnabas”
b. The givers of the name – “by the apostles”
c. The meaning of the name – “The son of consolation”
3. His due position – an apostle (Acts 14:14)

II. HE MAINTAINED SUITABLE BEHAVIOUR

A. He Cared Little for Self

1. He parted with his possessions for the benefit of others (Acts 4:32-37).
2. He overcame fear to risk the involvement of Saul (Paul) (Acts 9:26-27).
3. He originally sold his possessions, then spent the rest of his life vacating temporary homes (Acts 11:22, 25; Acts 12:25; Acts 13:1-3; Acts 15:39).
4. He endured persecutions without flinching (Acts 13:43-52).
5. He rejected the praise of men (Acts 14:8-15).
6. He sacrificed his own ministry to preserve another man’s (Acts 15:36-41).

B. He Cared Much for Others

1. He fought for the inclusion of Paul (Acts 9:26-27; Acts 11:19-26).
2. He fought for the inclusion of the Gentiles (Acts 15:1-12).
3. He fought for the inclusion of John Mark (Acts 15:36-39).

C. He Cared Much for the Ministry

1. He strengthened the ministry by including the apostle Paul (Acts 9:27).
2. He left the comforts of his home-base in Jerusalem to check on and strengthen the saints (Acts 11:19-26).
3. He spent much time in Antioch ensuring a strong foundational base of sound doctrine (Acts 13:1-2).
4. He left Antioch to minister the gospel to others (Acts 13:3).
5. He risked his reputation in Jerusalem to return on behalf of the Gentiles (Acts 15:1-12).
6. He risked his own ministry in order to reach out to a man in whom he saw great potential (Acts 15:36-39).

CONCLUSION: Though Barnabas’ reputation may not be well known now; I assure you it was well known in his lifetime. I likewise assure you, based upon the authority of Hebrews 6:10, that Barnabas’ reputation was and is well known in heaven. While there is no lack of those seeking to be the next apostle Paul, or apostle Peter, we need some who will be like Barnabas.