8th Jun 26 | 14:45
Daily Study
Barnabas, the encourager
Acts 15 - Series 3/Episode 07 - Wed, 13th May 2026 - Barnabas, the encourager - Acts 15:36-41 - THE SEPARATION OF PAUL AND BARNABAS - Acts 04:36
Act 15:36-38 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing." (37) Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. (38) But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
Barnabas was determined to take John Mark with them because he believed in restoration, second chances, and the development of young leaders.
We see how Barnabas developed Paul, who had gone to Tarsus after his conversion. Acts 11:23-26 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. (24) For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. (25) Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. (26) And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Barnabas was an envoy of stature sent by the church at Jerusalem. He was sent to Antioch when the apostles heard of all the good things that were happening there. Acts 11:21-22 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. (22) Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.
Barnabas could have remained in Antioch, doing the things that were expected of him. Barnabas, though, was a man of different mettle. He had a burden for Paul, for it was Barnabas who had taken Paul and brought him to the apostles, when the apostles themselves were wary of Paul. Acts 9:26-27 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. (27) But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
Barnabas was a people builder and encourager. His name was Joses, but the apostles renamed him Barnabas because of his character and nature. Acts 4:36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,
John Mark was Barnabas's cousin/nephew. The Greek word used here is anepseeos, which means: John Mark was Barnabas's sister's son. This is where we meet John Mark for the first time in the Scriptures. Peter came to Barnabas's sister, Mary's house, where many believers were gathered, praying for Peter. Acts 12:12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. John Mark came from a believing and praying home.
Barnabas and Paul had come to Jerusalem to deliver the gift that was raised by all the churches for the disciples in Jerusalem during the famine. Acts 11:29-30 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. (30) This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
When they returned to Antioch, they took John Mark with them. Acts 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark. Barnabas was keen to see John Mark grow in the faith.
As Paul and Barnabas went on the first missionary journey, they took John Mark with them as their assistant. Acts 13:4-5 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. (5) And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.
John Mark witnessed the amazing work of God that took place in Paphos, where the sorcerer, Elymas, was judged, and Sergius Paulus, the proconsul, came to faith in Jesus. John Mark should have realised that there was much for him to learn from God through Paul and Barnabas, yet he returned to Jerusalem. Acts 13:13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.
We can imagine how sad Barnabas must have been with John Mark. Yet, Barnabas, in his heart, was a man who did not give up on people, which is an attribute of God. Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
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