David Bahn – Reflections

Acts 11:19-30

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Curse the darkness or light a candle? What is your approach to the ebb and flow of life, blessings, challenges, troubles and joys?

The account of the growth of the early church is one of great highs and challenging lows. Three thousand are added on Pentecost. Stephen is stoned. Saul breathes out threats and heads for Damascus only to be converted. Persecution scatters the disciples, who preach the Word wherever they go. Then there is the other layer over all of this: would this newly-forming church be a Jewish-only, or even Jewish-dominant church? Or would there be a legitimate place for gentile believers?

Two thousand years later, the answer is obvious, but in those early formative days, it wasn’t so clear. It may not have been that those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen intentionally spoke only to Jews. It might have been that they simply didn’t know how to relate to these people with significantly different cultural mores and practices. But God uses all sorts of people to advance his kingdom. And some of the men from Cyprus and Cyrene spoke to the Greek speaking people with great results.

What happened next was vitally important. For the church in Jerusalem learned of this and determined to send Barnabas to check it out. Barnabas was known to be an encourager. Known first as Joseph, the apostles gave him the name Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement.” Rather than send a fierce defender of the faith, they sent an encourager. And by this action wheels were set in motion that would shape the mission of the gospel and the newly-emerging church for centuries to come.

Anyone who would want to be an encourager might consider Barnabas’ actions. His name was originally noted at the time of his generous gift to the disciples and the church (cf. Acts 4:36-37). Now he – being sent by the Jerusalem church – goes and visits these new believers. He then rejoiced at the grace of God in their lives, and appealed to them to remain faithful to the Lord. Then he goes and finds Saul, bringing him to what will be a hotbed of missional activity: the church in Antioch; the place where followers of Jesus were first called Christians.

Visiting, rejoicing in others’ blessing, urging faithfulness, and bringing others along to see and participate in the mission of God: those are the elements of true encouragement. They seem worthy attitudes and actions for any follower of Jesus Christ. We may not all be sons or daughters of encouragement, but surely we can look for and rejoice in God’s grace in the lives of others and encourage them and those around them when we see that beautiful thing happening. When I think of the impact of Barnabas on the church in Antioch, and in Paul’s life, I am deeply thankful for his part in spreading the gospel to gentiles like me. I look forward to encouraging people along the Way today. How about you?