BARNABAS REJOICED BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE REDEEMED
When news of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to
Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoicedG5463 and encouraged them
all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit
and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
Acts 11:22-24
News of what? They heard that the Good News had been preached to Gentiles in Antioch by men from Cypress and Cyrene.
11:23 — When he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them. How does one witness the grace of God? By observing its fruit: people being saved, dynamic worship, forgiving spirits, peace, joy, and so forth. We encourage such grace to flourish by exhorting each other to eagerly and tenaciously serve the living God. (46)
Charles Stanley
Barnabas observed the developing Fruit of the Spirit in the believers at Antioch, and he rejoiced. He exhorted them to stay plugged into the Lord “with all their hearts.” As he encouraged these new believers, even more people surrendered their lives to Jesus. Barnabas was “full of the Holy Spirit and faith.” The people of Antioch were surely blessed to learn from someone with his maturity in the Lord.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could be described as the writer of Acts described Barnabas? When people observe our lives, do they see us so full of the Holy Spirit that His fruit is easily seen? Do we have a reputation for being strong in faith?
Barnabas was also known as an encourager:
Acts 4:36-37 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), owned a tract of land. So he sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Because the apostles saw the Christ-like characteristic of encouraging others, they actually gave him that nickname! What might other believers use as a nickname for us? What nickname would we like to earn—Joy, Peace-maker, Patience, Kind-hearted? Remain in Jesus, abide in His word, obey His commands, and allow the Holy Spirit to flow through you like a refreshing river. Be conscious of whether or not others see Jesus when they closely observe your life. Your actions are a more powerful testimony than your words. Be a “Barnabas” and encourage others to be full of the Holy Spirit, too!
Father, may the Fruit of the Spirit become more and more evident in our lives, so that others will truly see Jesus through us. Thank You that it is You that accomplishes this in us and not dependent upon any effort of our own other than being daily surrendered to You.
Worship with “Let Others See Jesus in You” sung by John McKay: