Acts 15:36-41: Barnabas Overview

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Intro

1) This is the last time we see Barnabas, so we’ll do an overview here. He’s a great character study because he is an example of what we can all choose to be and do.

2) As we move through the text, you will see the same character traits pop up repeatedly. Leave room next to each bullet point to add more Scripture as we go.

3) Here is the complete list that we will build below:

A)   He was a giving person (4:32-37; 11:27-30)

B) He was an integrator (9:26-27; 11:25-26; 12:25; 15:37-39)

C) He was a worker (11:19-24; 13:1-3, 43)

D)   He was a trusted representative (11:22, 27-30; 15:1-2)

E) He was willing to do hard things (13:46, 50; 15:1-2)

F) He was a humble man (14:12-14, cf. 13:13)

G)   He was not perfect (Gal. 2:11-13; cf. 6:1; 1 Cor. 10:12)

List of Passages about Barnabas

1) 4:32, 34-35, *36-37 – He was a giving person (cf. 5:1-2)

A)   He was such an encouraging person, that the church changed his name. This will be his overall characteristic.

2) 9:26-27 – He was an integrator.

3) 11:19-21, *22-24

A)   He was a worker. This is the guy who raises his hand and says, “Here I am. Send me.”

B) He was a trusted representative of the church.

1) He was reliable. When he said he was going to do something, he did it without excuse.

2) He did the job well.

3) cf. 1 Tim. 3:10 – “Let them first be tested.”

C) The church in Jerusalem sent him to check on Antioch, and he encouraged them.

1) Exhorted (ESV) is the same word, parakaleō, as 4:36 (to call to one’s side).

4) 11:25-26 – He integrated Paul into the work in Antioch.

5) 11:27-30 – Giving and trust representative.

6) 12:25 – Integrator

7) 13:1-3 – He was a worker (cf. 1 Cor. 9:3-7).

A)   Remember, that we talked about how this was not an easy trip.

B) 13:43 – Encourager

8) 13:46, 50 – He was willing to do hard things.

A)   Don’t just raise your hand to do the work, but raise your hand when nobody else is willing.

9) 14:12-14 – He was humble.

A)   Some people will gladly accept being elevated above others.

B) cf. 13:13 – One of the possible reasons why John Mark left was because he didn’t like that his cousin, Barnabas, was taking a secondary role to Paul. That didn’t seem to bother Barnabas at all.

10) 15:1-2 – Willing to do hard work. / Trusted representative.

11) 15:37-39 – Integrator. He did for Mark the same thing that he had previously done for Paul.

12) Gal. 2:11-13 – He was not perfect.

A)   Gal. 6:1 – “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”

B) 1 Cor. 10:12 – “let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”

C) The goal is for people to be surprised (“EVEN Barnabas”) when we make a mistake like this, rather than this being our norm.