Bible Reading: Genesis 11-12; Nehemiah 1; Matthew 11; Acts 11
Acts 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
Until this time the gospel had scarcely been preached outside of Israel. The only other place was in Samaria when Philip preached there. The persecution that began with the stoning of Stephen scattered the believers all over and some of them went to Antioch. In Antioch a group of unnamed men preached the gospel to the Grecians living there.
Acts 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
Peter had realized through seeing Cornelius and his household believe that God wanted to save the Gentiles as well. Now the believers in Antioch saw the gospel transform the lives of Gentiles. The word got back to Jerusalem and they sent Barnabas. What was it that made Barnabas a good man? The Bible says:
Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.
Mark 10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
It was the fact that he will full of the Holy Ghost and of faith that he is called a good man. The Holy Spirit was yielding fruit in the life of Barnabas.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Barnabas was filled with joy when he saw what was happening at Antioch.
Acts 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
Barnabas was a man who walked with God and when he saw God at work he was excited! He began encouraging them to cleave to the Lord. Barnabas was also a man who knew these new babes in Christ would need sound Bible teaching. So after a time, we went to Tarsus to get Saul and bring him back to teach the new church there.
Barnabas was a yielded man who did not have to have the lead. He knew that Saul could teach the people so he went and got him. Barnabas is a man we can learn from. He was willing to go wherever he was needed. He was glad to see God at work. He encouraged people to hold fast to Jesus. And he knew when someone else could help them grow better than he could. Let's learn from Barnabas what it is to be a good man and full of the Holy Ghost!
In Christ,
Rody
