Act 11:24 | KingComments | STEP | Jerusalem is still the center of the new movement which is also governed from there. Because of the persecution many fled from Jerusalem, but the church in Jerusalem did not cease to exist, as is also shown in . The church turns out to have ‘ears’, because it “reached the ears of the church” that there is a work of the Lord going on elsewhere. That work is not done by one of them, but by others. This time there is also no Peter connected to it, as in the case of Cornelius, but this work is done by unnamed believers. Still, no apostle with his authority is going to take a look at it. In their wisdom they send Barnabas, a man with special abilities of consolation. It is not about exercising authority, but about caring for the young church. That is why Barnabas is the person of choice. He is a selfless man who has renounced possessions. The trend in the world and also among Christians is selfishness, self-love, but Barnabas is focused on others ( ). He can be used when there are problems. Barnabas is also not one of the exclusive-thinking native Jews, but he is a foreign Jew – he comes from Cyprus – who knows that God can also work in other ways than an exclusive one. He does not adhere to the idea that he is the best. He who has no contact with others, easily has the idea that he is the best. Barnabas is the right man, also to judge whether or not what is happening is from the Lord. What he sees when he arrives is exactly what he experiences in his dealings with God: grace. He does not see problems first, but the grace of God. He sees that what God is doing among the nations is a work of His grace. That gives him joy. There is nothing of jealousy in him, no criticism of God’s work, but on the contrary, he rejoices in it. There is no reproach that they should have contacted Jerusalem as a ‘mother church’ or the apostles as God’s special servants. He recognizes the work of God and joins in with it. He takes his place in this work with the contribution the Lord has given him. This contribution is to encourage them to remain true to the Lord with resolute heart. Barnabas does not hold out to any rules that must begin to meet, but binds their hearts to the Lord. To remain true to the Lord is necessary to be able to grow in faith. He does this in view of the dangers that exist, of forces that are focused on loosening the believers from the Lord. This can mainly be done by bringing discord between the believers by emphasizing the differences and imposing their own vision on others. The whole performance of Barnabas and his service to these believers is completely separate from Jerusalem. Also, the believers do not have to answer to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is no longer the center, as it is in the Old Testament and also in the beginning of Acts (cf. ). The characteristics of Barnabas are particularly appropriate for a service among young believers. He is a good man, goodness emanates from him. It is not sugary goodness, but goodness that comes from the Holy Spirit. He is also full of faith, full of trust in the Lord. His presence will certainly have contributed to adding a considerable crowd to the Lord.

‏ Acts 11:24

Barnabas and the Church in Antioch

Jerusalem is still the center of the new movement which is also governed from there. Because of the persecution many fled from Jerusalem, but the church in Jerusalem did not cease to exist, as is also shown in Acts 11:1. The church turns out to have ‘ears’, because it “reached the ears of the church” that there is a work of the Lord going on elsewhere. That work is not done by one of them, but by others. This time there is also no Peter connected to it, as in the case of Cornelius, but this work is done by unnamed believers.

Still, no apostle with his authority is going to take a look at it. In their wisdom they send Barnabas, a man with special abilities of consolation. It is not about exercising authority, but about caring for the young church. That is why Barnabas is the person of choice. He is a selfless man who has renounced possessions. The trend in the world and also among Christians is selfishness, self-love, but Barnabas is focused on others (Acts 4:36 ; Acts 9:27). He can be used when there are problems.

Barnabas is also not one of the exclusive-thinking native Jews, but he is a foreign Jew – he comes from Cyprus – who knows that God can also work in other ways than an exclusive one. He does not adhere to the idea that he is the best. He who has no contact with others, easily has the idea that he is the best.

Barnabas is the right man, also to judge whether or not what is happening is from the Lord. What he sees when he arrives is exactly what he experiences in his dealings with God: grace. He does not see problems first, but the grace of God. He sees that what God is doing among the nations is a work of His grace.

That gives him joy. There is nothing of jealousy in him, no criticism of God’s work, but on the contrary, he rejoices in it. There is no reproach that they should have contacted Jerusalem as a ‘mother church’ or the apostles as God’s special servants.

He recognizes the work of God and joins in with it. He takes his place in this work with the contribution the Lord has given him. This contribution is to encourage them to remain true to the Lord with resolute heart. Barnabas does not hold out to any rules that must begin to meet, but binds their hearts to the Lord. To remain true to the Lord is necessary to be able to grow in faith.

He does this in view of the dangers that exist, of forces that are focused on loosening the believers from the Lord. This can mainly be done by bringing discord between the believers by emphasizing the differences and imposing their own vision on others.

The whole performance of Barnabas and his service to these believers is completely separate from Jerusalem. Also, the believers do not have to answer to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is no longer the center, as it is in the Old Testament and also in the beginning of Acts (cf. Jn 4:20-24).

The characteristics of Barnabas are particularly appropriate for a service among young believers. He is a good man, goodness emanates from him. It is not sugary goodness, but goodness that comes from the Holy Spirit. He is also full of faith, full of trust in the Lord. His presence will certainly have contributed to adding a considerable crowd to the Lord.