In the early days of the Christian church, when believers were few and persecution was fierce, God raised up a man whose greatest gift was not preaching or healing — it was encouragement. His name was Joses, but the apostles called him Barnabas, which means "Son of Encouragement" (Acts 4:36). That name tells us everything we need to know about the kind of man he was.

This lesson was taught in the Sunday School class at Liberty Baptist Church, Muncie, using the Striving Together Publications curriculum Stories of Grace.

Barnabas: His Background and Early Life

Barnabas was born on the island of Cyprus, a beautiful Mediterranean island known for its trade and culture. He was a Levite — a member of the tribe of Levi, the priestly tribe of Israel. This means Barnabas grew up steeped in the traditions of the Jewish faith, familiar with the Law of Moses, the Psalms, and the promises of the prophets.

As a Levite, Barnabas would have been educated in the Scriptures from childhood. He understood the covenant God had made with Israel and the longing of the Jewish people for the promised Messiah. This deep knowledge of God's Word would later make him a powerful teacher and a wise counselor in the early church.

Though the Bible does not give us many details about his childhood, we know that Barnabas was a man of means — he owned land (Acts 4:37) — and that he had family connections in Jerusalem, including his cousin John Mark (Colossians 4:10), who would later write the Gospel of Mark. Barnabas was a man with roots, relationships, and resources — and he would lay all of them at the feet of Jesus.

Coming to Faith: Barnabas Meets the Risen Christ

The Bible does not record the exact moment Barnabas came to faith, but we know he was among the earliest believers in Jerusalem. What we do know is that when Barnabas believed, he believed wholeheartedly. Acts 4:36–37 tells us:

"And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet." — Acts 4:36–37 (KJV)

This is the heart of Barnabas: a man who, once he encountered the grace of God, could not help but pour that grace out on others.

Standing Up for Paul: A Reference That Changed History

Perhaps the most dramatic moment in the life of Barnabas came when a man named Saul of Tarsus arrived in Jerusalem. No one believed his conversion. That is when Barnabas stepped forward.

"But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus." — Acts 9:27 (KJV)

Barnabas vouched for Paul. He put his own reputation on the line. One act of courageous encouragement changed the world.

The First Missionaries: Barnabas and Paul Sent Out Together

"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." — Acts 13:2–3 (KJV)

Barnabas and Paul became the first Christian missionaries — the first to be formally sent out by a local church to carry the gospel to unreached peoples.

The Legacy of an Encourager

Barnabas teaches us that encouragement is not a small gift. Sometimes the most important thing we can do for the Kingdom of God is to see potential in someone that others have overlooked.

"Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do." — 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (KJV)

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Explore More from Our Acts & Early Church Series

From Saul to Paul: A Damascus Road Encounter That Changed the World
Ananias and Sapphira — The Danger of Half-Truths and Lying to the Holy Spirit

Go Deeper in God's Word

The story of Barnabas is a reminder that time in Scripture changes us. If this lesson has stirred your heart to study more deeply, these tools from Kinsman & Company were made for exactly that:

Spiritual Growth Journal | King James — Record what God is speaking to your heart as you study His Word
Bible Verse Highlighter Set with Sticky Notes — Mark key verses and capture insights right in your Bible as you read

Open your King James Bible, pick up your highlighter, and let the Word of God do what it has always done — transform hearts, one verse at a time.