Acts 4:36-37
Who Was Barnabas?
Barnabas was an early church leader from Cyprus whose birth name was Joseph but was called Barnabas ("son of encouragement") by the apostles. He generously sold his land to support the church, championed the newly converted Paul when others feared him, and served as a key missionary in spreading the gospel to the Gentiles.
Barnabas appears in: Acts , 1 Corinthians , Galatians , Colossians
Key Events
Generous Gift to the Church
Barnabas sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles, demonstrating sacrificial generosity for the early church (Acts 4:36-37).
Vouching for Paul
When the disciples in Jerusalem feared the newly converted Saul, Barnabas brought him to the apostles and vouched for the genuineness of his conversion (Acts 9:26-28).
Ministry in Antioch
Barnabas was sent to Antioch to encourage the growing church there and then brought Paul from Tarsus to help teach the believers (Acts 11:22-26).
First Missionary Journey
Barnabas and Paul were set apart by the Holy Spirit and sent out from Antioch on the first missionary journey through Cyprus and Asia Minor (Acts 13:1-3).
Dispute and Separation
Barnabas and Paul disagreed sharply over bringing John Mark on their second journey. They parted ways, with Barnabas taking Mark to Cyprus (Acts 15:36-41).
Key Scriptures
Acts 4:36-37
Acts 9:27
Acts 11:23-24
Acts 13:2
Acts 15:39
Lessons from Barnabas
- Encouragement is a powerful and needed ministry in the church.
- Taking a risk on people others have written off can change the world.
- Generosity with our resources honors God and builds community.
- Even godly leaders can disagree; what matters is how we handle conflict.
Family Discussion & Activity
Discussion Questions
- ? Barnabas was known as an encourager. How can our family encourage others more intentionally?
- ? Barnabas believed in Paul when no one else would. Is there someone in your life who needs someone to believe in them?
- ? Barnabas gave generously to the church. What are some ways our family can be generous with our time, talents, and resources?
Family Activity
Read about Barnabas in the Bible this week. Have each family member draw or write about what they admire most about Barnabas and share with the family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Barnabas called the Son of Encouragement?
The apostles gave Joseph of Cyprus the name Barnabas, meaning "son of encouragement" or "son of consolation" (Acts 4:36). This name reflected his character — he consistently built others up, saw potential in people, and strengthened the early church through his supportive presence.
What happened between Paul and Barnabas?
Paul and Barnabas disagreed about taking John Mark on their second missionary journey. Mark had deserted them during the first journey (Acts 13:13), and Paul refused to bring him again. Barnabas wanted to give Mark another chance. They parted ways, but notably Paul later acknowledged Mark's value (2 Timothy 4:11).
Was Barnabas an apostle?
Acts 14:14 refers to both Barnabas and Paul as apostles, though Barnabas was not one of the original twelve. He was set apart by the Holy Spirit for missionary work (Acts 13:2) and played a foundational role in the expansion of the early church beyond Jerusalem.
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