CHURCH 06 - Spiritual Leadership NT - Barnabas

Acts 4:36-37 Barnabas introduced

There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Joseph, a Jew, tribe of Levi, a Hellenistic Jew living in Cyprus.
He probably is in Jerusalem at this time for the Jewish Passover and Pentecost feasts, as the law requires. This suggests he is a God-fearing Jew and obedient to the law, though having to come a long way (Cyprus > Jerusalem).
He may have heard Jesus earlier, or converted at Peter’s Pentecost preaching, or possibly later.
He participates in church life, and quickly stands out for his gift of encouragement, He is even re-named by the apostles for it. He is giving, generous (financially, but also in support and encouragement. He is self-initiative.
Here a Levite owns fields in the Jerusalem area. Land distribution after exile was maybe different. Or this is a time-limited purchase of land.

Colossians 4:10 / Acts 12:12 Barnabas’ family relations

Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin (sister’s son) of Barnabas …”he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many had gathered …”

Barnabas’ cousin (or nephew) is John Mark. The translation seems to allow for both. John Mark’s mother Mary, who therefore is Barnabas aunt (or sister), is a courageous early believer, hosting the church in her house, even during persecution

Acts 9:27-28 Barnabas’ good judgment & courage

When he (Paul) had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

Barnabas hears Paul preach or hears about him or goes to meet him, whichever way. He doesn’t listen to scary gossip, nor bow to everybody’s fear and finds out what is really happening.
Barnabas is interested, courageous, engaged, self-motivated, initiative and has faith in God’s power to change people.
Barnabas is concerned about an isolated new believer, cares, sees a need, maybe worries, wants to bring Paul into fellowship with the church. Because Barnabas is trustworthy in the eyes of the believers, he can open the door for Paul.
Barnabas doesn’t wait for the leaders to ‘do something’, nor does he complain when they don’t, nor does he act outside of their leadership. He has full faith in the apostles to recognize what he has recognized, he goes for straight communication, respecting their leadership, confident of their reaction. He is initiative, not role-driven, but acting freely.
The leaders and the church trust Barnabas’ judgment enough to re-consider theirs.

Acts 11:19-24 Barnabas trusted by the apostles

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoices, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith …

Hellenists seems to mean here not ‘Greek speaking Jews’ but Greek Gentiles with no background in Judaism
Not all initiatives happen through the apostles, other believers are sharing their faith and things are happening.
This event is new enough and potentially difficult enough for the church in Jerusalem to want to make sure about it
Barnabas is here sent in an official role as the representative of the church in Jerusalem, or the apostles. He has a good reputation, is considered trustworthy, of good judgment, a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. Maybe another reason for the apostles choosing Barnabas for this job is that he is also is a Jew from outside Judea and Galilee, like the ones who started this work in Antioch.
Barnabas is able to recognize the hand of God, rejoices, has joy in fruitfulness that is not his own, can recommend something he had no hand in. This speaks of his selflessness, good judgment, true motivation and generosity of heart. He is not territorial, he is not quenching something just because it’s different.
He also recognizes the needs of this new church: He exhorts them to be faithful with steadfast devotion. He sees a need for ongoing teaching and disciplining, and commits himself to do that. He also brings in Paul to help him.

Acts 11:25-26 Barnabas enlists Paul

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians”.

Barnabas sees the gifting, the potential, the calling in other people. He is able to develop that, champion that, create a good environment for it and use it well. He is a recruiter-motivator-encourager.
Maybe this also shows that Barnabas sees the limitations of his own gifts and leadership and brings in those who can provide that.
He is not too proud to do that, he doesn’t fear ‘competition’ from a person under him.
Barnabas’ ministry is fruitful in that many are taught, but also in that deep discipleship happens. Barnabas is the number one disci-pler of one of the grea-test apostles of the church. Barnabas well knows the importance of long-term, intensive discipleship, whether it is eye-catching or not.

Acts 11:27-30 Barnabas & Paul in Jerusalem

At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world; and this took place during the reign of Claudius. The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea; this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

Church in Antioch is responsive to prophecy, willing to help and generous (Barnabas’ strengths have gone into the church, it seems). They entrust Barnabas and Saul with the famine relief.
Barnabas and his disciple Paul are considered trustworthy (with money), wise, able to deal with the requirements. Maybe the reason to send two people is for accountability’s sake? Road safety? Barnabas’ name is first, he is leading.

Acts 12:25 Barnabas picks up another disciple

But the word of God continued to advance and gain adherents. Then after completing their mission Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem and brought with them John, whose other name was Mark.

• Barnabas’ name again comes first. He is picking up his cousin (nephew) John Mark for work and discipleship: A pattern of Barnabas’ discipling, teaching and raising up workers is visible.

Acts 13:1-3 Barnabas sent out as missionary

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene Manaen a member of the court of Herod the ruler, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Barnabas and Paul are here called ‘prophets and teachers’.
They built the church and brought up other leaders (other prophets and teachers).
The leadership team is worshiping God and fasting (for a specific reason? Regular habit?), hearing the Holy Spirit and obeying.
Barnabas and Saul as (probably) senior leaders can be spared by now, new has been trained up successfully. Barnabas is not holding on, over-protective not controlling. He can trust, hand over leadership, leave, pioneer something new.
Barnabas’ name is be-fore Paul’s, indicating his leadership over the small team.

Acts 13:13 onwards Barnabas hands over leadership

Ac 13:13 ‘Then Paul and his companion set sail’ The sequence of their names is suddenly inverted, Paul first then Barnabas. This will mostly remain so in the remainder of Acts as often as they are mentioned together.
It seems that after the happenings at Paphos with Paul stepping up, Barnabas intentionally hands over leadership to Paul: Barnabas is intentionally delegating, releasing, supporting and making way for Paul. He is willing to step back, to take the 2nd seat. How many pastors do you know who could hand over leadership to a new pastor and remain in the church to support him, and that would go well?
John Mark leaves the team, Paul later refers to this as ‘deserted them’ in Ac 15:38. Why does he leave? Does he not like the leadership change? Or for another reason?
Ac 13:43 ‘Paul and Barnabas’ speaking, encouraging, urging new believers
Ac 13:46 ‘Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly’, both work in unity, side by side
Ac 13:50 ‘Paul and Barnabas’ persecuted, driven out of the region. They shake off dust in protest and move on from Antioch of Pisidia to Iconium
Ac 14:11-14 The people of Iconium perceive Paul as the god Hermes-Mercury (god of communication, messages, divination) since he is doing the talking, but Barnabas they perceive as Zeus-Jupiter (king of the gods, god of sky and lightening), since he seems to be senior and has the air of authority.
Ac 14:20 ‘Paul … went on with Barnabas to Derbe’, after Paul’s near stoning
Ac 15:1-2 ‘Paul and Barnabas’, arguing at the Jerusalem council against the demand for circumcision. Both were sent by the Antioch church to the council.
Ac 15:12 ‘Barnabas and Paul told of all the signs and wonders that God had done … among the Gentiles.’ Maybe Barnabas is still considered more trustworthy, senior, of more weight by the apostles, therefore he seems to take the lead. Or maybe those who sent them out still see him as the leader of the team.
Ac 15:22-25 ‘Paul and Barnabas’ sent back to Antioch with the letter making known the decision of the council’. Paul again is leading, accompanied by Judas and Silas.

Acts 15:35-39 Sharp disagreement over John Mark

“After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Come, let us return and visit the believers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul decided not to take with them one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. 39 The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and set out …”

‘Barnabas wanted … but Paul decided’. Paul seems to make dominant use of his leadership here, is unwilling to hear Barnabas or agree with with him. They have a sharp dissension, resulting in the splitting of the team.
Is Barnabas partial towards John Mark? Is this nepotism? Is he upset at Paul’s ‘decision’? Is he disappointed in his disciple? We do not know
Barnabas insists to give a 2nd chance to John Mark. When nobody believed in Paul, Barnabas did. Now he believes in John Mark, though there is a degree of failure visible in his behavior.
Barnabas is patient, hopeful, wants to try, sees potential, believes in the good in John Mark, believes that further discipleship will bear fruit.
We say: who was right? Maybe it’s not as simple as that. Maybe it was a good thing for Mark to be under Barnabas, not under Paul.

1 Co 9:4-6 Restoration of Paul’s relationship with Barnabas

‘Do we not have a right to our food and drink? 5 Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?’

Paul quotes himself and Barnabas as a good example, of being diligent to earn their own money where the situation allows. Paul here recommends Barnabas.
Paul writes this in around 55 AD, five years after their conflict in Antioch over John Mark in 50 AD. This seems to indicate that their good relationship is restored.
Maybe Paul learned the combination of working and ministry first from Barnabas during their time together in Antioch of Syria (Ac 11:25-13:3).
Col 4:10, 2 Ti 4:11 shows Paul reconciled with John Mark, recommending John Mark, calling him useful and wanting him for his ministry.
John Mark, after further discipleship by Barnabas rises to the occasion and later becomes not only Paul’s co-worker but also Peter’s right-hand man (Peter calls him ‘son’ in 1 Pe 5:13. He will go on to write a gospel (Gospel of Mark) when Peter and Paul are executed. He becomes a pillar a great encourager during the Neronian persecution.
It seems that Paul has learned to agree with Barnabas: John Mark definitely was worth the 2nd chance. Not only that, Paul becomes another leader who invests (like Barnabas) in people with unfaithfulness in their track record: see the letter of Philemon, where Paul has discipled and now trusts & recommends a runaway slave

Galatians 2:13-14 Barnabas accepting correction/span>

And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not acting consistently with the truth of the gospel I said …

Barnabas is shown making a misjudgment or mistake here, but he seems to respond positively to the rebukes of his very verbal in-your-face disciple 🙂
Is it wrong of Paul to share this story with the Galatians? Is this slander? Did he ask for permission to share the story? Did Barnabas tell him to use the story to teach others?
Actually the thrust is not on Barnabas’ mistake (even him! Who would have believed it?) but on taking off pressure from the Galatians, who fell into the same trap of legalism (even him! We are not alone, but he also repented).
In Ac 15:2 we see Barnabas has fully accepted the correction and is supporting Paul at the Jerusalem council that is meeting over this exact same issue.

Summary

Barnabas is an early disciple, he is a pillar in the church.
Barnabas is the ‘son of encouragement’ indeed. He keeps picking up people, seeing something in people, discipling and teaching people, living with people, trusting people – and very successfully so. His disciples (the ones we explicitly know, Paul and Mark) go on to become pillars themselves and highly fruitful.
Barnabas is not perfect, but he is a wonderful example of a discipler, encourager, bringer-up-er, releaser of people, a believer in people.
He gets much less limelight than Paul. Most people don’t even know of Barnabas’ role in the NT church. Did you?
We say: he had no position, no particular role. Did he have no role? Limelight is not what counts. Barnabas is one of the most influential people of the early church:
Barnabas’ direct disciples Paul and Mark together write 36% (75 of 211 pages) of the New Testament. And Luke, Paul’s disciple, writes another 29% (61 of 211 pages) of the New Testament. In total 65% of the NT is written by people directly or almost directly discipled by Barnabas! Now does he have a role or what?
God uses different kinds of people, different kinds of personalities and giftings, all are needed and important.
Eye-catching, up-front ministry is not necessarily the most important ministry, do not be fooled. Barnabas is extremely fruitful in his calling!

English Bible Study

CHURCH 06 – Spiritual Leadership NT – Barnabas

CHURCH 06 - Spiritual Leadership NT - Barnabas