Barnabas II

A Devotion on Faith, Conflict, and Growth

Let’s dive back into Barnabas’ story, picking up where we left off. In our first devotion, we saw Barnabas as a defender, a good man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, who opened doors for Saul and helped build the church in Antioch. He’s not just Paul’s sidekick—he’s a powerhouse in his own right! But Barnabas wasn’t perfect, and his journey shows us how to navigate faith, conflict, and growth in our walk with God. Let’s explore what else we can learn from this remarkable man.

Recap: Who Was Barnabas?

To set the stage, let’s recall key points from Barnabas’ life in our first devotion:

He defended Saul, opening doors to the apostles. Do we lift others up or focus on pushing ourselves forward?
The church trusted him to investigate Antioch. Can our church count on us?
He was a good man. Are we?
He was full of the Holy Spirit. Are we?
He was full of faith. Are we?
He was evangelistic, leading many to Christ. Do we care about people’s eternity?

Antioch: A Hub of Faith (Acts 14:21-28)

Antioch was a game-changer in Christian history—where believers were first called “Christians.” Paul and Barnabas ministered there, making disciples and strengthening their souls. Acts 14:21-28 (NET) tells us they completed the work God gave them, preaching the gospel and encouraging believers to stay strong. Their ministry wasn’t just a moment—it was a movement that shaped the early church.

The Jerusalem Council: Facing Conflict (Acts 15:1-35)

Conflict isn’t new—it was alive and well in the early church! In Acts 15, some men from Judea stirred trouble, teaching that Gentiles needed circumcision to be saved. Sound familiar? It’s like saying, “Unless you go to *our* church or get baptized *our* way, you’re not saved!” I’ve heard this myself—people saying I couldn’t take communion because I wasn’t part of their congregation or that my daughter, Alaina, might not “make it” because she wasn’t baptized at their church. Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, not some exclusive tank! The pride in these attitudes can be nauseating.

Paul and Barnabas didn’t back down. They debated fiercely with these “brothers” and took the issue to Jerusalem’s church leaders. They shared the amazing things God was doing among the Gentiles, but the Pharisees insisted on circumcision and Mosaic law. Peter stood up, reminding everyone that God gave the Holy Spirit to Gentiles just as He did to Jews, cleansing their hearts by faith, not rituals. He said, “We believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they are” (Acts 15:11, NET). If God doesn’t distinguish between Jew and Gentile, why do we draw lines between Baptists, Methodists, or Catholics?

After much debate, James and the elders agreed to send a letter to Antioch with Paul, Barnabas, Judas (Barsabbas), and Silas. The letter outlined simple rules for Gentile believers:

“…It seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place any greater burden on you than these necessary rules: that you abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” (Acts 15:28-29, NET)

This decision kept the gospel accessible, free from unnecessary burdens. Conflict can be messy, but it’s vital to defend correct doctrine.

Paul and Barnabas Part Ways (Acts 15:36-41)

Back in Antioch, Paul suggested revisiting the churches they’d planted. Barnabas wanted to bring John Mark, but Paul refused because Mark had abandoned them in Pamphylia. Their disagreement was so sharp they parted ways—Barnabas took Mark, and Paul chose Silas. Isn’t it ironic? Barnabas once defended Paul when others rejected him, and now he’s defending Mark against Paul’s rejection. Splits happen, even among godly people. They’re painful, but God works through them. Barnabas and Mark went one way, Paul and Silas another, and God’s work continued. Sometimes, God uses separations to send us to new places or people.

Barnabas’ Imperfection (Galatians 2:11-14)

Nobody’s perfect—not even Barnabas. In Galatians 2, Paul describes a moment when Barnabas got caught up in hypocrisy. Peter had been eating with Gentiles in Antioch, but when pro-circumcision Jewish Christians arrived, he pulled back, and Barnabas followed suit. Paul called them out, correcting their error. We’ve all been hypocritical at times, and it stings to be corrected, but it’s for our good. Thank God for people like Paul who speak truth, even when it’s tough!

Lessons from Barnabas

Barnabas’ story challenges us to reflect on our own lives. Let’s do a checkup:

At Antioch, they made many disciples. Are we making disciples?
They strengthened believers’ souls. Do we encourage others in their faith?
They completed their work in Antioch but moved to new tasks. Have we finished what God’s given us?
Do we know our calling?
Have we completed each task God has assigned over the years?
Do we think we’re created for just one purpose?
Are we open to new assignments or locations God may have for us?

Barnabas respected order, submitting to church leaders during disputes. When he and Paul clashed with the Pharisees over doctrine, they sought wisdom from elders. Proverbs says, “In the multitude of counselors, there is safety.” Their debate shaped New Testament living, proving that standing for truth can lead to lasting change. Even their personal disagreement over John Mark didn’t stop God’s plan. Maybe it was human error, maybe God’s design—or both. Either way, God worked it for good.

Barnabas’ stumble into hypocrisy reminds us we’re not perfect. Have we been swayed by teachings that sound holy but aren’t? Defending truth, like Paul did, can be hard, especially for those of us who lean toward peace or mercy. But correcting error prevents it from spreading, and that’s true mercy.

For us mothers, especially, Barnabas’ story hits home. I was a stay-at-home mom for years, and our influence on our kids can change the world. The world wants to pull them away, but if we disciple them, teach them God’s truth, and show them how to follow Jesus, we’re raising the next generation of Barnabases and Pauls. And above all, we aim to be like Jesus—the way, the truth, and the life.

Conclusion

Barnabas shows us how to live with faith, navigate conflict, and grow through our mistakes. He defended others, submitted to authority, and served God’s purpose, even when it hurt. But he wasn’t perfect, and neither are we. Father, forgive our imperfections. Help us embody Barnabas’ good qualities—his faith, goodness, and courage—and even more, make us like Jesus. Show us Your will, guide us to new assignments, and give us strength to stand for truth. We thank You for Your grace that works all things for good. Amen!