Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-08-21


having Christ as a center, brought
out many characteristics and brought
forward many characters that have
been blessings to the world. One OF
these was Barnab3s, the subject of
our study today.
Barnabas was one of the priestly
tris= &C Levi, but born in Cyprus,
whence his ancestors had moved
in all parts of the known world,
scattered by persecution, or business
interests, or, having been taken as
captives. In Cyprus there was a
large number. The copper mines
there had been leased to Herod by
the Roman emperor, and great num-
bers of the Jews had gone there to
share in the profits of that lucrative
business, some as miners, others as
merchants. Many of them acCumu-
lated large interests in property. One
of these was Barnabas, who by i'll
heritance or acquisition, had become
the poSSesSor of valuable properties
in the island.
Barnabas was probably one of
those who had come TO Jerusalem for
the passover, and had heard the COS.
pei preached on the day of pentecost,
and had given his heart and life
to the Lord. When the necessity
arose for pooling all their posses
sions so that all might have their
needs supplied out of the common
fund. Barnabas gave his all so glad
ly-that he became outstanding for
his generosity. Had his possessions
been in Palestine he, as a Levite,
would not have been able to have
sold his possessions as he did, for
the Levitical law would not have per-
mitted it. His generosity was so
great that Ananias and Sapphire
coveted the same place in the opin-
ion of their brethren that Barnabas
occupied but they were not willing
to pay the price. BarnabaS' generoS-
ity grew out of no desire for praise
of others, but only out of pure love
for his Lord, for what he did was
i'm no sense obligatory. He might
have sold part and given it, but ne
placed all that he had at the dis
posal of the brethren who needed it.
Big of Mind
Not only was he big OF heart, but
also was big of mind. Our next
glimpse of him is very suggestive. 1t
was after Saul of Tarsus had been
converted and had been in Arabia
for three years and had come back
to Damascus to preach and had left
there by way of a basket elevator
over the wall. He came down to Je-
rusalem. but the apostles would not
receive him. They did not trust his
conversion. But Barnabas did trust
him and brought him into their COM
pany and Endorsed him. Cyprus and
Cilicia belonged to the same Roman
district at that time, and it is posi-
bile that Barnabas and Saul may
have been college mates, sitting at
the feet of Gamaliel together. 1t is
rather probable that they had known
each other before, but that would
only emphasize the big mindedness
Of BarnabaS. He was able to see
in Saul of Tarsus something more
than the past, and to believe him
sincere in his change of heart and
desire to serve Him whom he once
prosecuted. What the church would
have lost had it not been for the in
dorsement of Barnabas to Saul.
An Ambassador
Time passes. The persecution of
the disciples had driven them out
of Jerusalem. and they had gone
everywhere preaching the Word
butjto Jews only. There were some,
however, of Cyprus, (Barnabas'
home) and Cyrene who went as far
as Antioch in Syria and were so
bold as to preach it to the Grecians
there as well. Antioch was a little
Rome, the third city of the world
then; and the message came to these
Gentiles with. power. News of it fl
nally reached the assembly at Je-
ruSalem, and they thought we'll 10
send an ambassador to Antioch. He
did not 90 with any powers, he laid
his hands on no one. He saw the
grace of God and was glad, and ex-
horted them with singleness of heart
to stick close to Christ.
No better choice could have been
made than Barnabas: he was a Cy-
priOte. and could talk with the Cy-
priote missioners better than any
one else, and he had shown himself
to be of a conciliatory character. In
fact, the emphasis by Luke the his
torian, is laid not on his mission at
all, but entirely on his character
for lie was good man and full CT
the Holy Ghost and of faith" No
wonder much people was added unto
the Lord. The wisdom of his choice
by the apostles was fully justified
he was loyal, liberal, and large of
vision.
Teacher
One of the finest characteristics
of Barnabas was, however now
brought out. He soon saw that the
work was too big for him and in
stead of attempting it all himself he
departed for Tarsus to seek for
Saul. He realized that Saul had
some qualifications which he did
not possess and which were very
necessary to the work there. 1t was
true humility on his part-a Just
recognition 'of his own limita tons
He brought Saul to Antioch, and
for whole year they taught a great
multitude of people. 1t Was the re-
suit of their teaching that the fol-
lowers of the Way got a new name
which has stuck to them until this
day. They were first called Chris
tians 1t Antioch-a name certainly
not given them by the Jews who
would not recognize Jesus as TIE
Christ, nor taken by themselves, for
they Away spoke of themselves as
followers of the Way; but by their
enemies who sneeringly spoke OF
them as "Christians"- belong
ing to the Christ. This new name
which has become to be the highest
honor that can be given to anyone
was given as the result Of the teach
ing by lip and by life of Barnabas
and his gale assistant Saul. Better
than anything else it tells us the
type of man tast Barnabas himself,
and where he placed the emphasis
in his teaching. Everything that he
had belonged to Christ. and every
thing that he was belonged to Him,
and he insisted on this in his
teaching.
An Envoy
Works as well as words were en-
phasized, and the Christians at An