How can we apply Barnabas's example in Acts 11:25 to our church community? Setting the Scene Acts 11 paints Antioch as a fast-growing, multicultural congregation. Barnabas arrived, “saw the grace of God, and rejoiced” (Acts 11:23). Realizing the harvest was bigger than one man could handle, “Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul” (Acts 11:25). That intentional trip became the catalyst for eleven years of fruitful ministry teams, missionary journeys, and epistles that still disciple the church today. Barnabas’s Initiative in Acts 11:25 • Proactive: he did not wait for Saul to show up; he went and found him. • Visionary: he could see beyond Saul’s past and imagined what God would do next. • Humble: willing to share the spotlight—and later yield it—as Saul’s gifts blossomed. • Kingdom-minded: focused on strengthening the whole body, not just his own role. Lessons Our Church Can Embrace • Notice emerging gifts. Ask the Spirit to help us “recognize those who labor among you” (1 Thessalonians 5:12). • Take the first step. Like Barnabas, go out of our way to invite, mentor, and include. • Share ministry, don’t hoard it. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition… but in humility consider others more important” (Philippians 2:3-4). • Build bridges between diverse believers, fostering unity (Ephesians 4:3). • Champion encouragement. Barnabas was nicknamed “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). • Multiply leaders who will multiply others (2 Timothy 2:2). Practical Steps for Congregational Life • Identify at least one “Tarsus” person—someone gifted yet sidelined—and intentionally reach out. • Pair seasoned members with newer believers for mentoring breakfasts, study groups, or ministry projects. • Rotate teaching, worship leading, or service opportunities so developing voices can grow. • Publicly affirm progress; private encouragement is powerful, public affirmation solidifies it. • Allocate budget and time for training conferences, books, and mission trips that stretch upcoming leaders. • Evaluate ministries together, celebrating wins and refining weaknesses as a team. Scriptural Reinforcement • Acts 9:27—Barnabas first vouched for Saul. • Acts 13:2-3—Barnabas and Saul commissioned together. • Hebrews 10:24—“Let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.” • Proverbs 27:17—“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Cautions and Guardrails • Guard against jealousy when new leaders outshine us (Acts 13:13). • Keep doctrine sound while empowering creativity (Titus 1:9). • Depend on the Spirit’s timing; Barnabas acted under clear evidence of grace, not mere preference. Closing Thought When we imitate Barnabas’s purposeful search for Saul, we become a community where hidden callings are uncovered, disciples mature into leaders, and the gospel gains fresh momentum—just as it did in Antioch. |
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