Brotherly Barnabas

Saul was not an easy fellow to handle. He zealously persecuted the early christians and hauled them into jail. When Stephen was to be killed, Saul was the young man who helped to keep custody of the garments of the killers of Stephen.
His own conversion was soon to happen. The Christ he had persecuted became his Lord and saviour in an unforgetable circumstance. Three years after, he went to visit the other disciples but the problem was, they never trusted him. He was too dangerous to be associated with. The brethren still perceived him to be the dreaded Saul when truly he has been redeemed and with a new name-Paul.

Then came in Barnabas. When others rejected Paul, he drew closer to him. He wanted to help. He had something to offer and he never witheld it. 'And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple'.
'But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus'.

Vintage Barnabas was a special breed. He took the risk to get near the supposedly pestilent fellow. He interviewed him and was convinced of his testimony. If he had not done that, the spirit of rejection could have overwhelmed Paul and impacted negatively in his ministry.
Barnabas has laid an example of being:
Brotherly
Authentic in love
Resistant to fear
Noble
Apt to teach
Beautiful within and without
Amorous and
Selfless

He helped the new convert to get settled with the believers and helped to build confidence among them.
What role are you playing as regards new converts in your church? Do you care about them? Your kind gesture could be the magic wand to inspire them and launch their apostolic ministry. Who knew then that Paul will become the greatest missionary of th gospel then? Not even Barnabas but his investment paid off.
Show a little bit of love today. Let the other person know that you really care.

Text: Acts 9:26-30