Monday, 22 September 2008 00:00  |  Written by Esther Bailey [a] and posted in Barnabas

Joseph, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘One who Encourages’), sold a field he owned, brought the money, and handed it over to the apostles. Acts 4:36-37

The first mention of Barnabas shows him to be very generous. According to Acts 4, in the early church, everyone shared everything that they had and there was no-one in the group who was in need. What a contrast to our materialistic society! Yet even in this atmosphere of care and support, Barnabas is noteworthy.

Tuesday, 23 September 2008 00:00  |  Written by Esther Bailey [a] and posted in Barnabas

They were all afraid of Saul. Then Barnabas came to his help and took him to the apostles. He explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had spoken to him. Acts 9:27

Saul had been issuing murderous threats against the Christians. He was doing everything he could to stamp them out. He had been on a trip up to Damascus to get rid of the Christians there, and now he was back in Jerusalem – but claiming to have become a Christian himself, and wanting to join the church. Would you trust him?

Wednesday, 24 September 2008 00:00  |  Written by Esther Bailey [a] and posted in Barnabas

When he arrived and saw how God had blessed the people, he was glad and urged them to be faithful and true to the Lord with all their hearts. Acts 11:23

The church had been spreading and in a place called Antioch some non-Jews were becoming Christians. The leaders of the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to see what was happening. Barnabas did not insist that things had to be done his way; he was willing to recognise that God was doing a new thing.

Thursday, 25 September 2008 00:00  |  Written by Esther Bailey [a] and posted in Barnabas

Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and many people were brought to the Lord. Acts 11:24

What sort of things would you like people to say about you? How might they describe you? Look how Barnabas, one of the key leaders of the early church, was described in today’s verse. I would love it if people could say about me, “I became a Christian partly because I could see through her life that it was real.”

Friday, 26 September 2008 00:00  |  Written by Esther Bailey [a] and posted in Barnabas

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he took him to Antioch, and for a whole year the two met with the people of the church and taught a large group. Acts 11:25

Barnabas was no prima donna who had to hold onto the limelight for himself. He recognised how big the job was, and the gifts of other people. He knew the benefits of working in partnership, maximising the strengths and minimising the weaknesses of both. He understood that TEAM stands for Together Each Achieve More.

Saturday, 27 September 2008 00:00  |  Written by Esther Bailey [a] and posted in Barnabas

In the church at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen and Saul. Acts 13:1

Besides being generous, friendly and unselfish, we learn here that Barnabas had the spiritual gifts of prophecy (hearing God’s messages and passing them on) and teaching. Do you know what spiritual gifts you have? Have you asked God for any? (That’s not a greedy thing to do – spiritual gifts are given to help build up God’s people.) How can you use spiritual gifts to help other Christians?

Sunday, 28 September 2008 00:00  |  Written by Esther Bailey [a] and posted in Barnabas

There was a sharp argument, and Paul and Barnabas separated. Acts 15:39

The trouble with Barnabas was that he never made mistakes like normal people – or did he? Saul (now called Paul) and Barnabas travelled the world together, telling people about Jesus, but then they had a huge disagreement and they never worked together again. But God is able to use even this failure – instead of one team, Paul and Barnabas form two separate teams and so twice as many people hear about Jesus.