July 15

Then, tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. - Acts 11:22.

THIS little sketch of biography is very pleasing, valuable, and useful. The ancestors of Barnabas had left Judea, and had settled in the island of Cyprus, for what purposes we know not. There Barnabas was born. He was called at first Joses, but after his conversion to Christianity, Barnabas, which signifies “the son of consolation.” For this change in his name, two reasons, not at all incompatible with each other, are assigned. First, Because of his benevolent disposition. He was a wealthy man, and had disposed of his landed property, and “brought the money and laid it at the Apostles’ feet,” for the purpose of relieving the necessities and miseries of the poor and afflicted members of the church.

And secondly, Because of the distinguishing character of his preaching, it being eminently calculated to console the people of God, and to encourage poor awakened sinners to come to Christ; and because, being full of the Holy Ghost himself, in his public ministering he always dealt much in “the comforts of the Holy Ghost.” In this respect ministers often differ very considerably from each other.

Some may be called “Boanerges,” that is, “Sons of thunder,” their ministrations being bold and striking, and very alarming to the consciences of the unconverted. Others are more gentle and persuasive, having “the tongue of the learned, that they should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary.”

Ministers should never be placed in opposition to each other, or be put in comparison with each other, thereby to inflame or blow up one pile of straw, and trample under foot another. But they should be viewed in reference to their station and circumstances, to their work, and to their adaptation. If this is always done in charity, they will be found equally respectable and worthy of regard. However they may differ in their situation, their position, their natural or acquired endowments, their gifts, or their graces, the church needs them, and can fully employ them all. Let Paul therefore plant, and Apollos water; let one “comfort the feeble-minded,” another be “set for the defence of the gospel;” one lay the “foundation,” and another build thereon. Each has his own proper work assigned him, and each shall have his own proper reward.

It was Barnabas who introduced Paul to the disciples of Jerusalem, when they were afraid of him, and drew back as he approached them, as a number of sheep and lambs would have drawn back in a field if a wolf was approaching them; and it was not until Barnabas had convinced them of Paul’s conversion that they received him into fellowship with them. From thence he was now sent on a missionary business to the newly-planted church at Antioch, where the disciples were first called Christians. It is much to be regretted that they have ever been called by any other name. And “when he was come to this city, and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.”