Today we take a look at the growing Gentile church at Antioch and we take another look at a believer whose ministry is one of encouragement.
"Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord." (Acts 11:19-21) It isn't only Simon Peter who now has a glimpse of the full scope of God's salvation plan. Other believers recognize that God intends to call the Gentiles to the faith.
"News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch." (Acts 11:22) Barnabas is the man previously known as Joseph from Cyprus, but the believers renamed him Barnabas because it means "son of encouragement". Imagine what an encourager he must have been for his friends to have given him a new name! Someone like him is the perfect choice to speak words of encouragement to the new believers at Antioch.
"When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord." (Acts 11:23-24) A person who is an encourager will be glad when they see the faith of others. Barnabas is thrilled with everything the Lord is doing in Antioch and he speaks words of comfort and encouragement to the believers there. While he is there his words and his attitude bring more people to the faith.
We met Barnabas earlier in the book of Acts when he decided to take a chance on Saul of Tarsus. He was the only one of the believers at Jerusalem willing to listen to Saul's conversion story at first. Then, after having heard it and after having realized Saul's sincerity, he took Saul to the apostles and presented him as a member of Christ's church and helped to orchestrate a friendship between Saul and the people he formerly persecuted. But a plot arose among the enemies of the church to put him to death, so he was escorted out of town by the believers and sent back to his hometown of Tarsus. Excited about the way the church is growing among the Gentiles, Barnabas now decides to go and fetch Saul to come and see what is happening at Antioch. "Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." (Acts 11:25-26)
I believe Saul felt very discouraged in Tarsus. He had intended to join the apostles at Jerusalem but the death threats from the Jewish religious leaders put a stop to that. When he returned to his hometown is family and friends may have disowned him for turning to the Christian religion. If so, he may have been struggling with loneliness. He may have been struggling with doubts about whether he was truly called to preach the gospel. I think Barnabas, because he is filled with the Holy Spirit, feels led by the Lord to go get Saul. I think Barnabas may have understood long before Saul did that God was going to call Saul to be an apostle to the Gentiles. At just the right time and in just the right way this man who is such an encourager shows up in Tarsus and says, "Saul, I'm so glad I found you! You are needed at Antioch. The Lord has much work for you to do there. Come and see the great things He's doing and be a part of them!"
Isn't it a wonderful feeling when someone comes to us when we're down and out to give us encouragement? Doesn't it make us feel loved when a friend seeks us out? Doesn't it make us feel like we have a purpose in life when someone tells us we're needed? The Lord uses Barnabas to help Saul in what is probably a dreadfully dark time of sadness and doubt. The Lord can use us in the same way. Let's encourage those around us who may be feeling down or who may be experiencing doubts. If Barnabas had not gone to get Saul he may never have become the Apostle Paul. He may have given up instead. There could be someone right now who needs our encouragement in order to be who God is calling them to be. Let's allow the Lord to use us as encouragers just as He used Barnabas.
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