Everybody Needs a Barnabas

[330 words] Saul, later known as Paul, and John Mark were well-known in the early church. But they might not have achieved their positions of leadership if it had not been for the unique ministry of a lesser known personality, Barnabas. Almost every time Barnabas is mentioned in the Bible he is encouraging someone. This seems to have been his principle contribution to the growth of the church. After Paul’s conversion, Christians were afraid to accept him because of his previous anti-Christian persecutions. It was Barnabas who had the courage to step out and take the risk to stand beside Paul and encourage him. As a result, Paul was eventually accepted by the church and went on to become a great missionary. He wrote more than one-third of the New Testament. Similarly, John Mark needed an encourager. He had been a failure. He started out on a missionary journey and,…