Paul, the thirteenth Apostle, had a massive impact on Christianity. He is responsible for 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament: Romans, I & II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. There is a debate on the authorship of Hebrews, and some attribute it to Paul, which would make a total of 14. Whether 13 or 14, Paul was responsible for just under or just over half of the New Testament.
Paul’s focus was the Gentiles, and unless you are a direct Jewish decedent, his work is what brought the gospel to your ears. Acts 13:47, “For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” From Damascus to Jerusalem, through Asia to Rome, Paul set the world on fire spreading the good news about Jesus.
In light of all Paul did, who would want to be a Barnabas? Shouldn’t we all be striving to be like Paul setting the world on fire?
As I am currently readying through the Book of Acts, Barnabas has stood out in a new way. I knew that he accompanied Paul on his first mission trip, during which they preached boldly and suffered horribly. But they had a falling out at the outset of their second mission trip, that ended with them going separate ways. I’ve heard this incident used in sermons as different lessons, but I think I’ve always heard it from the perspective of Paul, the great Apostle, being in the right and Barnabas being in the wrong. But now, I’m not sure.
We are introduced to Barnabas in Acts 4, shortly after the day of Pentecost and the arrest of Peter and John. The believers pray for boldness, are filled with the Holy Spirit, and then begin selling personal property to further the work. “Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:36-37 ESV). Upon his first introduction, his generosity, encouraging character, and heart for the furtherance of the gospel is immediately recognized.
While Barnabas is selling goods and encouraging the brothers, Paul (known by his given name of Saul) is in full hatred and opposition mode to the gospel. We are not introduced to him until Acts 7 where he is watching and condoning the murder of Stephen, the first martyr. “But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison” (Acts 8:3 ESV). “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1-2 ESV). Paul was trying to single handedly root out the demise of Judaism with ruthless violence.
Even after his conversion on the road to Damascus, his reputation preceded him. “But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man [Paul], how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name’” (Acts 9:13-14 ESV). “And when he [Paul] had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple” (Acts 9:26 ESV). ALL the disciples were afraid of him and believed he was using some type of ruse to capture them. He had been preaching in Damascus, yet his reputation of violence still scared the disciples to death.
This is the moment where Barnabas and Paul cross paths for the first time. “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus” (Acts 9:27 ESV). Barnabas, the son of encouragement, faced his own fear as the scripture reads ALL the disciples were afraid, and went to Paul. After hearing his testimony, Barnabas brought him to the other disciples, and then Barnabas told his story to them.
Barnabas’ character is on full display. Despite the possible consequences, he exercised faith in what he saw in someone else. Had he been wrong about Paul, that would have been an immediate prison sentence, but he went anyway. When all the disciples feared Paul, so that would include the Apostles in Jerusalem at the time, Barnabas stood against popular opinion and went to Paul.
Have you ever seen something in a person that everyone else has written off? The one they had verbalized judgements and curses over? “He’ll never change. He is just like his old man.” Or “She’s too far gone. There’s no hope for her to ever change. She used to be involved all the time, but she’s gone off the deep end.” But something in your spirit says you need to chase after that person. You might not even understand it logically, but your spirit says, “Go!” are you going to be like Barnabas?
In Acts 11, we read about the growth of the church at Antioch, which was where the term Christian was coined. When the report of the spreading gospel reached Jerusalem, they decided to send Barnabas to investigate. “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, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord” (Acts 11:23-24 ESV). The faith already exhibited in going to Paul is explicitly described, and his exhortation or encouragement is also described. The Holy Spirit that filled Barnabas was using him to pour into believers everywhere he went.
And what did he do to continue pouring into people? “So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 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” (Acts 11:25-26 ESV). Barnabas wanted to pour into Paul even more, so he sought him out. He did not send a messenger to summons or request Paul to join him. He went and looked for him, and then he brought Paul back. And for a full year, they worked side by side.
Barnabas saw his assignment in Paul. It was not general encouragement, but specific, intentional, and risky. Barnabas risked his life and acted in opposition to all the disciples in Jerusalem – the center of Christianity of the Apostles – and went to Paul. In Antioch, he leaves to search for Paul and bring him back to work together. It is a clear exhibition of assigned discipleship.
After a year of working together, God decided that there was more for them to do. “While they were worshiping the Lord 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 ESV). This journey is a key turning point in their relationship. In verse 7 they are called Barnabas and Saul, in that order. Up to this point, Barnabas’ name is always first. He is the more seasoned Christian, mentoring Paul; however, in there is a shift in Paul. “But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 13:9 ESV) confronted a magician. He stepped into his calling in that moment with power, authority, and boldness.
“Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:13 ESV). It shifted from Barnabas and Saul to Paul and his companions. As the journey continues, the scripture refers to them as Paul and Barnabas. They continued working side by side, sharing the gospel, facing persecution, fleeing antagonists, even standing in agreement during the dispute with the Jerusalem council about circumcision. Even though the mission was the same, the order of mention suggests the relationship dynamic had changed.
“And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are’” (Acts 15:36 ESV). This is the perfect mission for the son of encouragement. Paul wants to retrace steps and encourage the brothers. “Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark” (Acts 15:37 ESV). This is the same John that had left them during the first journey to return to Jerusalem, we just saw in the previous paragraph. “But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work” (Acts 15:38 ESV). Paul wanted to go encourage the brothers they had worked with but did not think taking John, the one who had skipped out on the trip, was best for the mission. We do not read that the Spirit influenced the choice of either man. Barnabas wanted and Paul thought.
“And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord” (Acts 15:39-40 ESV). Barnabas saw that his assignment of discipleship had shifted from Paul to Mark, but Paul viewed Mark as a hindrance. So, who was right? Were either of them right? Were they both wrong?
I have found that in most disagreements, there is wrong on both parties. Whether it is intent, emotions, or word choices. Perhaps, it was a moment where their ministries no longer aligned. Perhaps there was some pride involved. Barnabas had been the mentor in their relationship and that role had changed, and now his desires did not hold the same weight. Perhaps Paul was still young in his faith, and was exercising more headstrong zeal without compassion. The context does not give us a clear answer, but we see Barnabas again going against the grain to invest in a singular individual, no different than when he sought out Paul at the beginning.
I believe Barnabas could see what Paul nor Mark himself could see. He could see the identity God had formed Mark in and the benefit that he could be to the kingdom. He also knew that it was his assignment, regardless of the opposition, even when it came from one so close to him. Was Barnabas’ commitment to what he believed his assignment to be worth the separation from Paul?
About a decade later, Paul writes, “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning who you have received instructions – if he comes to you, welcome him) and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me” (Col. 4:10 ESV). Paul’s opinion of Mark has drastically changed as he commands Mark be welcomed and describes him as a fellow worker and comfort. In his final book, Paul says, “Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry” (II Tim. 4:11).
So, I see the answer to the question as undoubtedly, yes. Barnabas saw something no one else could see and he did not hesitate. He poured in, and years later, that investment was realized by Paul. There will be times when you are called to invest in someone who others see as a lost cause, or at least not worth the effort. It is vital to walk in obedience to the commands of the Holy Spirit, over the opinions of anyone. Barnabas went against the disciples of Jerusalem to get Paul, and later against Paul to disciple Mark, who was later valued by Paul.
Viewing the account now and knowing the impact that Paul had on Christianity, it could easily seem like Barnabas was automatically wrong, but I’m not convinced. I believe that he was following the Spirit’s guidance as he had been doing for years. The critical element of a path where every other godly counsel is telling you the opposite of what the Spirit is saying, is your personal relationship with the Spirit. We read Barnabas was full of faith and the Spirit. It is not a path to strike out on in pride, but even more humility is needed. You never know when the Spirit has given you the assignment to disciple the next Paul. What would the world look like if Barnabas hadn’t searched out Paul and discipled him?
Even with their separation, Paul writes of Barnabas as a fellow worker (I Cor. 9:6). Pride will tell you that you can no longer be associates of believers who doubt your calling or assignment. Pride will say that others are striking out in defiance of the wisdom God has given you. Both sides need humility to walk the journeys the Spirit has set in front of you. Sometimes that is shoulder to shoulder, and other times, it is apart, but should always be support through prayer.
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?’” (Rom. 11:33-34 ESV).
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