Acts 9:26-31 NIV
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.
28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
29 He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him.
30 When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
I have been studying about the Apostle Paul lately. In this Scripture, Saul (Note: It isn't until Acts 13:13 that Scripture refers to Saul as Paul), travels to Jerusalem but the disciples Peter and James first were skeptical of him; after all he had been a violent persecutor of believers. The apostles believed that he was just pretending. But one man named Barnabas believed him and explained to the apostles what had happened to Saul. He told them about what God had done for him and how he had preached boldly in in Jesus Name in Damascus.
Barnabas' name had been Joseph but the apostles named him Barnabas which means "encourager" or "son of encouragement." It was probably Peter and James that he asked to accept this new brother. When they did, the other apostles were satisfied. That is just so awesome that Barnabas, the encourager, took Saul by the hand and accepted him as a brother-in-Christ. Everyone else was too skeptical until he encouraged them but Barnabas also encouraged Saul to continue his work for the Lord. After that there was an awesome bond between the two of them.
Saul boldly preached in Jerusalem so much so that men tried to kill him. The followers found out about the plot and put him on a boat to Tarasus. In Verse 31 it says that the church in Judea, Galilee and Samaria had a time of peace and became stronger. Hallelujah! Many came to be believers! Thank God for someone like Barnabas! He came to Saul's defense and encouraged Saul to not be discouraged; to continue on with his fiery preaching. What a team they made! One was a teacher and the other an encourager. Continue reading about this great team. We should all strive to be an encourager to our brothers and sister in Christ.
In Acts 13, Luke continues to tell us more about Saul and Barnabas. I encourage you to read more about Paul and Barnabas and the missionary journeys they took. You can also read Paul's account in Galatians. Read the word, study it and get excited!
I have been studying about the Apostle Paul lately. In this Scripture, Saul (Note: It isn't until Acts 13:13 that Scripture refers to Saul as Paul), travels to Jerusalem but the disciples Peter and James first were skeptical of him; after all he had been a violent persecutor of believers. The apostles believed that he was just pretending. But one man named Barnabas believed him and explained to the apostles what had happened to Saul. He told them about what God had done for him and how he had preached boldly in in Jesus Name in Damascus.
Barnabas' name had been Joseph but the apostles named him Barnabas which means "encourager" or "son of encouragement." It was probably Peter and James that he asked to accept this new brother. When they did, the other apostles were satisfied. That is just so awesome that Barnabas, the encourager, took Saul by the hand and accepted him as a brother-in-Christ. Everyone else was too skeptical until he encouraged them but Barnabas also encouraged Saul to continue his work for the Lord. After that there was an awesome bond between the two of them.
Saul boldly preached in Jerusalem so much so that men tried to kill him. The followers found out about the plot and put him on a boat to Tarasus. In Verse 31 it says that the church in Judea, Galilee and Samaria had a time of peace and became stronger. Hallelujah! Many came to be believers! Thank God for someone like Barnabas! He came to Saul's defense and encouraged Saul to not be discouraged; to continue on with his fiery preaching. What a team they made! One was a teacher and the other an encourager. Continue reading about this great team. We should all strive to be an encourager to our brothers and sister in Christ.
In Acts 13, Luke continues to tell us more about Saul and Barnabas. I encourage you to read more about Paul and Barnabas and the missionary journeys they took. You can also read Paul's account in Galatians. Read the word, study it and get excited!
