BARNABAS, SON OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Passage: Acts 4:32-37

Key verse: 32

NIV

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.(A) 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify(B) to the resurrection(C) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace(D) was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,(E) brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet,(F) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.(G)

36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas(H) (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.(I)

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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

They Had Everything in Common

32 Now the full number of those who believed were of (A)one heart and (B)soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but (C)they had everything in common. 33 And with great (D)power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and (E)great grace was upon them all. 34 (F)There was not a needy person among them, for (G)as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and (H)laid it at the apostles' feet, and (I)it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means (J)son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and (K)laid it at the apostles' feet.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. One in heart and mind (32-33)

The fellowship of believers was not an end in itself. It was a fellowship that testified in word and deed to the presence of the Risen Jesus. When Jesus is Lord of every heart, then selfishness disappears. We ourselves and all our possessions belong to the Lord. This is the secret of being one in heart and mind. In the early church, this oneness was expressed in a primitive form of communism. It was beautiful, for there was no dissension and no needy person. Love and grace abounded.

2. The encourager (34-37)

A man named Joseph sold a field and brought the proceeds to the apostles. His action encouraged the believers very much, so he was called Barnabas, Son of Encouragement. Later, he encouraged Paul; then, John Mark (9:27; 11:22-26; 15:37-39). Encouragers are always needed in the fellowship of believers.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be an encourager of believers by my life, and help me to share Jesus with the world.

One Word: One in heart and mind