“22 … they sent Barnabas off to Antioch.
23 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced 
and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;
24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. 
And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.”
~~ Acts 11:22b-24 ~~

We all need encouragement from time to time, and God has placed people in our lives who need to be encouraged by us.  Let’s take a look at Barnabas today and see what an effective encourager looks like with skin on.  

When I came across this passage, I found myself really impressed with the kind of Christian Barnabus was.  I saw six phrases used to describe his character and explored each to see what God may have to say to me.  Check it out!  He may have something to say to you too! 

Before we get into the six descriptive phrases, I want to draw your attention to the little phrase “when he arrived” <paragínomai>. It means “to draw near, to become near, to place oneself by the side of.  What strikes me is the word “near”.  You can’t encourage from afar.  You have to be close and engage in doing life with a person, if not physically, relationally.  Ok, we know that Barnabus has arrived at Antioch and has come by the side of the believers there.  

HE REJOICED WHEN HE WITNESSED THE GRACE OF GOD IN ACTION

Barnabus was full of cheer and calmly happy at what he saw taking place between this body of believers.  The phrase “when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God” brought back a study I have done multiple times in the past (Experiencing God).  One of the main thrusts of that study was to see where God is at work and join Him.  It seems that Barnabus was looking to see where God was working, and he found Him there in Antioch.  

HE ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO REMAIN TRUE TO THE LORD 

Barnabus encouraged these Antioch believers.  The Greek word for encouraged <parakaleo> is in the imperfect tense (generally represents continual or repeated action), and it means: to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation).  

What did he encourage them to do?  “To remain true to the Lord”  The Greek word for remain <prosmeno> means: to stay, i.e. remain in a place, with a person; figuratively, to adhere to, persevere in.  If I “stay”, it denotes that I am continuing in a place or in a condition; I am standing firm.  The dictionary defines “remain” as to continue unchanged.  If I am “adhering” to something, I am sticking by it and maintaining loyalty to it.  To “persevere” in something I must remain unchanged despite counter influences, opposition, or discouragement.  

I see Barnabus encouraging these believers to keep loyal to Christ, despite the things in life that may arise, competing to weaken our resolve to keep Jesus front and center in our focus.  

PAUSE TO PONDER the words listed in the definition of “encourage” <parakaleo>.  Take note of the varied intensities that encouragement holds.  

• Invite: to request formally the present or participation of; to urge politely
• Invoke: to make an earnest request for; to appeal to or cite as authority; to bring about or cause
• Implore: to ask or beg earnestly; to say something as a request in a sincere or urgent manner
• Exhort: to urge strongly; to give warnings or advice; to make urgent appeals
• Console:  to comfort; alleviate the grief, sense of loss, or trouble of.

As you observe this progression of intensity, I am struck by the last word — “console/comfort”.  I see how God’s word is indicating that sanctification is a process in which we will try, and fail, then need comfort…get up and try again, and fail, needing comfort.  

HE HAD A RESOLUTE HEART

The Greek word for resolute <prothesis> means a setting forth of purpose or intention.  The dictionary defines resolute as marked by firm determination; bold and steady resolve.  Purpose is defined as setting for an end to be attained; to propose as an aim to oneself.  What is coming to mind is the old phrase “you’ll never hit what you aren’t aiming at”.  Intention is a determination to act in a certain way.  

Let’s look at the word heart.  The Greek word <kardia> is used here for heart and it means: the center and seat of spiritual life, the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors (so in the English language heart describes the inner man).  

PAUSE TO PONDER all that the heart includes.  Just wow…

• Thoughts: to form or have in the mind : to have as an intention : to have as an opinion : to consider : to reflect on : to meditate : to ponder : to call to mind/remember : to devise a plan by thinking : to center one’s thoughts on 
• Passions: : emotions : intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction : an outbreak of anger : ardent affection : love : a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept
• Desires: conscious impulse toward something that promises enjoyment or satisfaction in its attainment : longing, craving
• Appetites: any of the instinctive desires necessary to keep up organic life (especially, the desire to eat) : an inherent craving :  taste, preference 
• Affections: a feeling of liking and caring for someone or something : tender attachment : fondness : a moderate feeling or emotion : obsolete, partiality, prejudice for/against : the feeling aspect (as in pleasure) of consciousness : propensity : disposition : what affects you 
• Purposes: something set up as an object or end to be attained : something you intend, resolve, or determine to do : a subject under discussion or an action in course of execution
• Endeavors: a serious determined effort : to attempt (something, such as the fulfillment of an obligation) by exertion of effort : archaic, to strive to achieve or reach : to work with set purpose

HE WAS A GOOD MAN

In the world we live in, where good is bad and bad is good, we can really get a skewed idea of good unless we dig a little.  The Greek word for good <agathos> means: upright, honorable.  The dictionary defined upright as marked by strong moral rectitude (“marked by” is an outward evidence of an inward condition of character).  An upright man has integrity, being correct in both judgment AND procedure – from inward to outward.  An upright person both knows what is right and then does what is right.  

What does honorable mean?  The dictionary defines honorable as deserving of respect or high regard.  If someone is honorable, their reputation is consistent with the integrity of their character.  An honorable person is guided by a keen sense of duty and ethical conduct.  An honorable person’s reputation is not tarnished or sullied by behavior unbecoming to a believer.  

HE WAS FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

What comes to mind when you hear the word “full”?  Is it the feeling you have after dinner? The “I couldn’t eat another bite” feeling?  We think of proud people being “full of themselves”.  Or the consummate “fibber” being “full of it” (whatever it turns out to be).  But what is God’s definition of “full”?

Full <pleres> means: replete, or covered over; by analogy, complete: thoroughly permeated with.  Let’s have a look at a few of those words for clarity.  Replete means fully or abundantly provided or filled; abundantly fed.  I could be replete after Thanksgiving Dinner.  A river can be replete as it is fed by many small streams.   Permeated means to diffuse through or penetrate something.  Essential oils can be diffused in a room, permeating the area with the scent of the oil.  When you walk into a room where there is a diffuser being used, you can’t miss the smell.  It’s obvious.  It’s pleasant.  It penetrates your senses and profoundly affects you. 

Barnabus was full of the Holy Spirit <hagios pneuma> which means, august, full of majesty; adorable; utterly opposed to all impurity; properly, reverend, worthy of veneration.  God on account of his incomparable majesty.  The point that is being made here is that Barnabus’ relationship with God, being indwelt by the Spirit of God was evidence in his behavior AND in his effect on those around him.  Just like you can’t remain unchanged in the presence of the Spirit of God (you’re either becoming more like Jesus, or you are becoming more hardened to the truth, but either way you are affected), these people couldn’t help but be changed by Barnabus, who was full of the Holy Spirit.  

FOOD FOR THOUGHT  
How are people changed by being in your presence?  

HE WAS FULL OF FAITH

We already unpacked the word full, so let’s just focus on the word faith.  The Greek word for faith <pistis>: fidelity.  The dictionary defines “fidelity” as the quality or state of being faithful; being accurate in details; having exactness.  Webster defines “faithful” as steadfast in affection or allegiance; loyal (as in a faithful friend); firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty; conscientious (as in a faithful employee); given with strong assurance; binding (as in a faithful promise); true to the facts, to a standard, or to an original.

PAUSE TO PONDER the last part of that definition – true to the original.  Pray through the verses below and sit in them for a bit, allowing the Spirit of God to penetrate your heart and mind with the Truth of the Word.  

• “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” (1 John 2:6)
• “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”  (Ephesians 5:1-2)
• “For I gave you an example, so that you also would do just as I did for you. Truly, truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” (John 13:16-17)
• “Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

I am praying for you as you meditate on God’s truth.  I am praying that you will hear the voice of the Spirit within, guiding and directing you to areas where your life may need tweaked.  I pray that as you align yourself with Him, your time with Him will be evidenced in your life.  Please pray the same for me.