Becoming Barnabas: The Example Of Encouragement (Part 1): Introduction

by on January 20, 2026 | 1 Comment

The Acts of the Apostles contains some truly epic accounts of what Jesus continued to do and to teach as he worked from heaven through his appointed church officers (Act 1:1). We easily focus on Peter, who preached the first Christian sermon, expositing how Christ is the fulfillment of all redemptive history (Acts 2:14–41), or on the succeeding narratives about his ministry among the Jews, particularly in Jerusalem. Alternatively, perhaps we find ourselves captivated by Paul’s exploits. As the apostle to the Gentiles, he takes the gospel to foreign terrain and hashes out how to bring the doctrine of justification by faith alone to bear on those who were never before included among God’s covenant people. The book of Acts mainly revolves, in an earthly and narrative sense, around these two figures, so we understandably recall them first when we think of this New Testament historical account.

Over the years I have come to appreciate another man who arguably lurks behind the scenes of this book but nevertheless plays pivotal and profound parts in it, Joseph the Levite from Cyprus. If his name is unfamiliar, it’s because he is better known by his nickname Barnabas (Acts 4:36), which is what he is called in all the other biblical references to him. All the same, the introduction to Barnabas emphasizes that he earned his name. Why?

Barnabas means “son of encouragement.” In introducing this man to us, Luke, the author of Acts, makes sure we know that Barnabas’s given name was Joseph the Levite from Cyprus. In other words, Joseph did not receive the name Barnabas by accident—he earned the name, the title “son of encouragement.” When we consider what happens surrounding Barnabas and his contributions, his example is worth considering for our own edification.

Setting

I have on a number of occasions been asked, Why do you think the Reformed tradition contains so much infighting? Some answers challenge this assumption, while others explain what is, in many respects, a genuine tendency. We must stand for truth and be committed to it, even if that means engaging in controversy. The caveat is that we should not enjoy controversy with other Christians, especially with those in our closest circles, as is the case within the Reformed world.

As we think about the narratives involving Barnabas, a lot happens. He seems to always be at the epicenter of church development, which notably includes crises of doctrinal refinement. He is no stranger to leaning into a controversy, even with dearly beloved brethren (Acts 15:39). So Barnabas in no way asks us to give up our principles in what we prioritize. Nonetheless, Barnabas might ask us to question the way that we go about controversy and even our approach to ministry itself.

Lots of questions arise from reflections on the Barnabas narratives. How do we think of holiness? It seems as though some people think that holiness means always attacking something. Some churches have a wildly disproportionate record of bringing corrective discipline against their members, often because they are more eager to feel holy by lashing out rather than because they are gripped with an urgent desire to restore professing believers to a credible profession.

How do we think of doctrinal and ecclesiastical refinement? There are people who view this process as tearing down those who disagree with them until they have no energy left to stand.  We see figures from church history who had a penchant for finding something to criticize about everyone except themselves.

How do we think about discipleship? Increasingly, pastors abuse their office and think that they are supposed to disciple the sheep in their care by beating them into conformity—usually to what they like. Pastoral care becomes about force and compulsion.

Barnabas’s story provides us with useful food for thought concerning all these questions and many others. Perhaps his commitment to encourage those around him was potent fertilizer for the soil of Christian growth. Perhaps Barnabas encourages us to consider how people might achieve the very ends they aim for but fail because no one can stand to be around them. Self-perceived faithfulness, after all, gets you nowhere if you are left with only your self-commendation. We ought to be looking for our commendation from God for how we have labored to build his church (1 Cor 4:5).

When I was in seminary, I served as an intern in a local church and often struggled as I watched my overseeing pastor continually insist that people listen to him. Later, that pastor was defrocked and excommunicated. I came away from that internship with a clear lesson: Rather than spending so much effort insisting that people believe us, we should put effort into being someone worth trusting. I fall far short of that ideal. I am, however, striving toward it and hoping that I gain more ground before I go to see the Lord. The point remains that there is something about who we are and the character we have that might help us help others as we all follow the Lord, seeking faithfulness in doctrine, practice, and life.

If you are thinking that this series sounds like it is going to focus on Barnabas as an example—Barnabas exemplar—you are right. There is no reason to feel uneasy about this because Barnabas is not Christ. He set no perfect example that we could never achieve. His life was not lived to fulfill the law on our behalf. The point is not that you have to measure up to Barnabas’s life to be saved or to be right with the Lord. We can be well blessed, however, when we have imperfect examples of the sanctification we would like to attain. After all, Scripture says that Barnabas “was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:24).

This series, then, contemplates the blessing of encouragement and how we might all desire to be encouragers. Barnabas will be our guide. He has become my favorite figure in the Acts narrative because I see him giving to those around him what I hope the Lord will help me give to those around me.

Outline

Barnabas is mentioned in eight New Testament passages, which vary greatly in length and extent (Acts 4:32–5:11; 9:26–31; 11:19–30; 12:25–15:41; 1 Cor 9:6; Gal 2:1–9; 2:13; Col 4:10). My goal is to think about what role Barnabas played in the early church, why Scripture would want us to learn about him, and how we might consider becoming like Barnabas, the example of encouragement.

©Harrison Perkins. All Rights Reserved.

You can find this whole series here.

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