Acts 4:32-37
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##Barnabas
His real name was Joseph but the Apostles called him ―Barnabas‖ as a nickname. In Aramaic that means ―Son of a Prophecy.‖
Luke, however, says it means ―Son of Encouragement‖ (Acts 4:36). Linguists are not sure how Luke came up with that definition (we apparently don‘t know as much about 1st century Aramaic as Luke did). But we do know why Joseph earned his nickname. He used his influence
and finances to encourage both individuals as well as the progress of the Gospel.
We first meet him in Acts chapter 4. He was originally from the island of Cyprus but had immigrated to Jerusalem where he apparently invested
in some real estate. Although in the O.T. God said Levites could own no property, Palestine was no longer under the theocratic rule of the Bible but under the hand of the Roman government. This allowed Barnabas to purchase
property. After his conversion he sold the tract of land and gave the proceeds to the Apostles to distribute to the poor Christians of the city. This contributed to Barnabas‘ good name as well as the unity of the church.
The next time we run into him he is taking the newly converted Saul under his wing (Acts 9:29). Understandably, when Saul returned to
Jerusalem after a 3 year hiatus, none of the Christians would touch him with a ten foot pole. It was Barnabas who risked his reputation, not to mention life and limb, to introduce Saul to the band of the Apostles (cf. Gal
1:18–19). It was a brief stay (only 15 days), but it was long enough to arouse an angry mob against Saul and long enough to impress Barnabas with Saul‘s ability and integrity.
Some years later a Gentile church erupted in Antioch. The Apostles of Jerusalem needed a delegate
to go ―check things out‖ as well as encourage the new believers (Acts 11:22–24). Barnabas was the logical choice since he was from that vicinity, and because he had demonstrated such acceptance of the likes of Saul. When Barnabas got there his encouragement only added fuel to the fire of God‘s Holy Spirit and the church
grew like gang-busters. He needed help. Who else but is old friend Saul? He hunted him up in Tarsus where Saul had been laying low and likely starting churches for the better part of 5 years (Acts 11:25–26).
After a couple of years of working together, Barnabas and Saul hear of a need in Jerusalem. The prophet Agabus predicted a famine in their
old home. So these two take up a collection from the Gentile church of Antioch and hand-deliver it to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem (Acts 11:27–30). Again this fostered a good bit of unity in the church. When they returned from the ―mission‖ trip, they brought back young John Mark, a relative of Barnabas. And when the Holy Spirit calls them to take the Gospel to Cyprus, Barnabas‘ old stomping grounds, John tags along for support (Acts 13:2– 5).
This led to a serious rift between Saul and Barnabas. John Mark left early for Jerusalem before the first missionary journey had ended (Acts 13:13). Up to that time Barnabas was the primary figure of the pair. His name is
always mentioned first and he was really the leader even in the church of Antioch (although both were considered official delegates [i.e. ―Apostles‖]
of that church [Acts 14:14]). But from here on out Saul is called Paul and is always mentioned before Barnabas (except in Lystra, where the natives believed Barnabas was Zeus and Paul Hermes [Acts 14:12]). Barnabas was apparently fine with the transposition of leadership. But after the Jerusalem council, where this dynamic duo defended grace, he wants to revisit
the churches they started together and include John Mark on the trip (Acts 15:36–41). The ensuing debate was not a pretty sight. Although
their personal affection never waned, their cooperative ministry came to an abrupt halt. They went separate ways, Barnabas with John Mark, and Paul with Silas. This is the last we hear of this magnificent man in the book of
Acts. He was not perfect; Paul had to rebuke him for following Peter in his shunning of Gentile converts in the fact of Jerusalem Judaizers (Gal 2:13). Nonetheless, he is a colossus of grace and a man worth emulating.
INTERNAL
SUMMARIES OF THE BOOK OF ACTS
By
Mark Moore
Passage:
|
Preceded by:
|
Characteristics
|
2:41–47
|
First Sermon: Pentecost
|
3,000 Added; Apostles teaching,
fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer; awe; Apostles: Wonder and Signs;
Unity; Community/charity; Daily meetings; homes/meals; praise; favor with
people; Added daily.
|
4:32–37
|
First Arrest
|
Unity; Community/charity (2X's);
power/Apostles (2X's); Grace
|
5:12–16
|
First Internal Corruption: Ananias and Sapphira
|
Apostles: Signs and Wonders;
meetings; public regard; Men and women believe — added; miracles
|
5:42
|
First Beating
|
Daily meeting; Temple and house to
house; teaching/preaching Jesus
|
6:7
|
First Community Disunity: Hellenistic Widows
|
Word of God spread; Disciples
increased rapidly with the conversion of the priests
|
8:25
|
First non-Jews Converted: Samaria
|
Preaching the Word of the Lord/Gospel
|
9:31
|
Conversion of Saul
|
Peace; Edification; fear of the Lord; Comfort
of the Holy Spirit; Increased
|
12:24–25
|
First Civil Persecution
|
Word of the Lord grew/multiplied
|
13:49, 52
|
First Official Missionary Venture
|
Word of the Lord spread; Disciples
filled with Joy and the Holy Spirit
|
15:33–35
|
First Church Council
|
Peace; Teaching and preaching the
word of the Lord with many others
|
16:5
|
Picking up Timothy
|
Churches strengthened in faith;
increasing in number daily
|
28:30–31
|
Conclusion to the book
|
Peace; preaching the kingdom;
teaching concerning the Lord Jesus; Openness, unhindered
|
Characteristics of the church:
a.
Church Growth —
added, grew, increased: 2:41; 5:14; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5
b.
Apostles —
miracles and teaching: 2:42; 4:33, 35; 5:12.
c.
Preaching/Teaching:
2:42; 5:42; 8:25; 15:35; 28:31.
d.
Peace: 2:47;
5:13; 9:31; 15:33–35; 28:30–31.
e.
Daily: 2:41,
46; 5:42; 16:5.
f.
Unity: 2:44;
5:12.
g.
Joy: 2:46;
13:52
Other possible summary texts: 13:42–43;
14:21–23, 27, 28; 19:8–10
===============
DEVOTIONAL
SUMMARY OF THE BOOK OF ACTS
Tracing
the Internal Summaries
By
Mark Moore
I.
Parallels of Revelation and Acts—the Battle books.
A.
Similarity:
1.
Both deal with the struggle and victory of the church.
2.
Both show the strategies of Satan and God in the fight. B. Differences:
1.
Acts begins at Pentecost, Revelation ends at the Parousia.
2.
Acts focuses on the victory of the H.S., Revelation focuses
on the defeat of Satan.
3.
Revelation is animation, Acts is documentary.
II.
Internal Summary Passages (Scott); Pause Passages (Moore).
A. Introduce the concept of the pause
passage:
1.
They usually follow firsts.
2.
They usually follow hard knocks.
3.
About the time we think the church has been beat up, Luke
stops us to tell us what is really happening.
B.
This is an appropriate time for us to pause and ask where we
have been and where we are.
C.
Reflection allows us see our progress—we are usually doing
better than we think.
III. Characteristics
of the church in pause passages
A.
Church Growth (6 pause passages) 1. There is a
church growth frenzy.
2.
This follows the pattern of Acts — 14 Ch. growth mentions in
28 chapters
3.
120 (1); 3,000 (2); 5,000 men (4); Multitudes constantly
added (5)
4.
We are liars or sluggards if we are not interested in church
growth whether we are motivated by pride or the lost.
B.
Apostles (first 3 pause passages)
1.
We don't have them or miracles anymore. (Ill. My personal miracle and tongues
experience).
2.
They are not the power behind church growth after chapter 5.
3.
The leadership of the church was transferred to the Elders.
C.
Preaching/Teaching (5 Pause passages)
1.
Simplicity—Death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
2.
Laity
3.
Everywhere, anytime; (Ill. Ray Marroquin in the Taxi).
D.
Peace (5 Pause passages)
1.
We are usually not martyrs.
2.
We like a fight and if we don't have one we will make up
some conspiracy.
3.
Our war is not against flesh and blood.
4.
There are antagonists out there to be sure, but most of the
world is waiting to hear about an answer to their needs.
E.
Daily (3 Pause passages)
1.
The daily church, from house to house is still the greatest.
2.
Home Bible studies, fellowship groups, etc.
3.
Koinonia is more
than a pot-luck dinner.
F.
Joy (2 Pause passages)
1.
We ought not to complain about the ministry.
2.
If we cut down elders, boards, etc. why are we surprised
when young people don't go into ministry?
3.
Sure there are tough times in ministry, but here are some of
the things I am thankful for:
Scheduling, time to study the Word of God, support, purpose, changed
lives, retirement plan.
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