Nine life lessons from Barnabas

During their first brutal winter at Plymouth, the Mayflower Pilgrims were on the brink of collapse. They were starving, unskilled at hunting or farming in the new land. Then a native American named Squanto (Tisquantum) stepped in—teaching them how to fish, hunt, and plant crops. Without that quiet, practical encouragement, the colony might not have survived. He was like Barnabas in the New Testament.

This post comes from Philip Nunn, a missionary in Colombia.

Barnabas is mentioned 28 times in the book of Acts. He was a Jew, a Levite, born on the island of Cyprus. Because he encouraged others, the apostles changed his name from Joseph to Barnabas, which means ‘son of encouragement’ (Acts 4:36).

1. Barnabas was generous

Many in the church in Jerusalem were going through an economically difficult time. Barnabas “sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:37NIV). He trusted the church leadertship to distribute it wisely. His ministry was voluntary, which is better than obligatory. Later he and Paul made tents to help finance their ministry (1 Cor.9:6). On financial matters, Barnabas proved to be faithful. Later the church at Antioch sent a financial gift to the churches in Judea by “Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 11:30). Notice that Barnabas is mentioned first.

2. Barnabas interceded for Saul

Saul of Tarsus violently persecuted the church before he became a follower of Jesus Christ. Paul left Jerusalem as a murderer and returned as a missionary. But  many believers did not trust him. Barnabas befriended him, brought  him to the apostles  in Jerusalem  and spoke on his behalf (Acts 9:26-27). It is risky to stand behind new believers with potential. Barnabas mediated between fellow Christians.

3. Barnabas was an encourager

When the church in Jerusalem heard that the Lord was blessing the work in Antioch, they sent Barnabas. New work always has odd elements. I am sure that Barnabas also saw what was missing and deficient in Antioch, but he chose to rejoice in the evidence of the grace of God, “he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts” (Acts 11:19-23).

4. Barnabas was good

Our way of living and relating to other people adorns and gives credence to the Gospel we proclaim. Barnabas “was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord” (Acts 11:24). Goodness is showing generosity to others and it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22). The Spirit is received by faith and goes on being supplied through faith. Barnabas had a great faith in God, and by this faith the Holy Spirit became powerful in his life, and the result was a lot of practical goodness in Barnabas’ life.

5. Barnabas served with humility in a team

Saul was a gifted Bible teacher. New believers need to be fed on God’s Word. So, Barnabas looked for Saul and bought him to Antioch. Barnabas knew of Paul’s call to be an apostle to the Gentiles, so he sought the apostle to help in the Gentile city of Antioch (Acts 9:15). For a whole year they served together (Acts 11:25-26). We know that Saul became the main speaker (Acts 14:12), but that did not bother Barnabas, who was also a teacher (Acts 13:1). Humility makes teamwork possible and eliminates jealousy and unhealthy competition. Barnabas loved the new believers at Antioch and wanted them to grow.

6. Barnabas had a missionary heart

While the church at Antioch was praying and fasting, the Holy Spirit said “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2). This was Paul’s first missionary journey. The Holy Spirit also knows our names, and is very aware of what we are doing with our lives. This calling set in motion a travelling ministry in which many came to know Christ and new churches were formed. It would be a more comfortable life for Barnabas to stay in Antioch, where he was loved and respected, and where there was always work to do.

7. Barnabas was willing to confront

Some temperaments love confrontations. Barnabas was a gentler type of person who valued personal relationships. And yet we notice that, when necessary, he makes a firm stand. At a large gathering in Jerusalem, together with Paul, he defends the genuineness of Gentile converts, “telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them” (Acts 15:12). Sometimes we must also stand up and speak up for what is right. In another occasion, Barnabas disagreed with Paul about whether to take Mark on their second missionary journey (Acts 15:37-39) – so, he and Mark went to Cyprus instead. It is important to agree to disagree when there is conflict between Christian workers.

8. Barnabas gave people a second chance

John Mark, a cousin of Barnabas, failed on a missionary journey. Paul considered that he should not be taken along on another missionary trip. They disagreed. Barnabas then “took Mark and sailed to Cyprus” (Acts 15:39). It is easy to abandon those who have failed. Barnabas had a warm pastoral heart, one that loves and seeks to restore (Gal.6:1). Every church needs such men and women. Later Paul notices that the mentoring of Barnabas has been effective and Mark has matured (Col.4:10).

9. Barnabas failed

It is useful and encouraging to have a personality that greatly values relationships. The attractiveness of a church fellowship is determined by the quality of relationships (Jn. 13:34-35). But there is also a clear danger, that of following close friends at the expense of the weaker or of the new believers. Peter stopped eating with Gentiles because he was afraid of criticism from Jews who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. Barnabas “joined in this hypocrisy” (Gal.2:11-13). Even godly leaders must guard against being influenced by others to support salvation by works. They should never succumb to public opinion when communicating truth.

Conclusion

Barnabas, though not perfect, reminds us that generosity, encouragement, humility and investing in others can have a lasting impact in God’s work.

Without Barnabas, there might never have been the Apostle Paul as we know him, nor the gospel of Mark.

Acknowledgement

This post comes from Philip Nunn, a missionary in Colombia.

Posted, August 2026