2. Barnabas: About the Man
Named Barnabas by the apostles (Acts 4:36)
Son of encouragement, consolation, exhortation (cf. 11:23)
Of the tribe of Levi (Acts 4:36)
Perhaps what brought him to Jerusalem
Of the country of Cyprus (Acts 4:36)
First place Paul & Barnabas preached (Acts 13:4-5)
Barnabas returned there with John Mark (Acts 15:39)
A landowner (Acts 4:37)
Apparently no wife or family (cf. 1 Cor. 9:5-6)
Called an “apostle” (Acts 14:14)
Along with Timothy & Silas (1 Thess. 2:6); Jesus’ brother, James (Gal. 1:19); Titus & brethren (2 Cor. 8:23); Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25); Andronicus & Junia (Rm. 16:7)

3. Barnabas: Lessons for Us to Learn
He was exceedingly generous (Acts 4:32-37)
A benevolent act done freely & without coercion
Reflected a proper attitude toward material wealth
The gospel brings out the very best in men & women
Roots up pride, selfishness, covetousness
Fills the void with brotherly kindness, love & good will
The spirit of generosity must be practiced & taught
In families
In the church
In the eldership

4. Barnabas: Lessons for Us to Learn
He was exceedingly generous (Acts 4:32-37)
He was compassionately gracious (Acts 9:26-28)
Saul, the persecutor, returned to Jerusalem three years after his conversion (cf. Gal. 1:18)
Saul had a well-earned reputation (cf. Acts 7:58-8:3; 9:1-2) which caused the disciples to be afraid of him
Saul needed a friend, a brother in Christ to trust him, plus someone who the disciples would trust
Barnabas brought Saul to the apostles & defended him
This helped disciples to no longer fear him
This helped Saul to be encouraged & get on with his work
This helped Barnabas in knowing he had done the right thing
This helped create a bond between S&B for future mission work

5. Barnabas: Lessons for Us to Learn
He was exceedingly generous (Acts 4:32-37)
He was compassionately gracious (Acts 9:26-28)
He was constantly encouraging (Acts 11:19-30)
There were great number of new converts in Antioch
New converts need encouragement – who send?
Known to church at Jerusalem – he had innate ability
He rejoiced at the growth of other Christians
He was a good man, having a great influence on others
He was reason for Paul’s close relationship with Antioch
He was trustworthy

6. Barnabas: Lessons for Us to Learn
He was exceedingly generous (Acts 4:32-37)
He was compassionately gracious (Acts 9:26-28)
He was constantly encouraging (Acts 11:19-30)
He was willing to work in second place (12:25-15:35)
Barnabas & Saul were set apart for 1st missionary journey
Up to this point, Barnabas was more public & prominent
Barnabas was an active, faithful Christian long before Saul
Saul depended on influence of Barnabas to be accepted
It was Barnabas sent to Antioch to exhort babes in Christ
It was Barnabas who went to find Saul to bring him to Antioch

7. Barnabas: Lessons for Us to Learn
He was exceedingly generous (Acts 4:32-37)
He was compassionately gracious (Acts 9:26-28)
He was constantly encouraging (Acts 11:19-30)
He was willing to work in second place (12:25-15:35)
Barnabas & Saul were set apart for 1st missionary journey
Up to this point, Barnabas was more public & prominent
Seems to be turning point in 13:9-13
Prior to 13:9 – “Barnabas and Saul”
13:9 – Saul called Paul; 13:10 – first words from Paul as Christian
13:13 – “Paul and his party” – Barnabas not specified
People of Lystra called Paul, Hermes/Mercury – “chief speaker”
Barnabas played a supportive role to Paul like John the Baptizer did to Jesus (John 1:19-37; 3:25-31)– both came 1st

8. Barnabas: Lessons for Us to Learn
He was exceedingly generous (Acts 4:32-37)
He was compassionately gracious (Acts 9:26-28)
He was constantly encouraging (Acts 11:19-30)
He was willing to work in second place (12:25-15:35)
He was influenced by others to sin (Gal. 2:11-14)
Barnabas was subject to temptation & peer pressure
Like Peter, he sinned in excluding fellowship from the Gentiles (showing partiality) and was “carried away with their hypocrisy” (Gal. 2:13).
This was right around the time that Paul & Barnabas split (cf. Galatians 2 & Acts 15).
Paul still refers favorably in him in 1 Corinthians 9:6
As well as to Mark in Col. 4:10 & 2 Tim. 4:11