One of the best examples of an encourager is found in the book of Acts.
Barnabas' given name was Joses, or Joseph, but the apostles gave him the name Barnabas, which means "Son of Encouragement" or "Son of Exhortation" (Acts 4:36).
Barnabas was on of those people who was always looking to lift others up, to bless them, look out for their needs. It was Barnabas who stood up for Saul (Acts 9:26-30)
Many in Jerusalem were afraid to see Paul, remembering hoe he had been the one behind many Christians who had been murdered. The death of Stephen and James may have been especially on their minds. Many may have faced his wrath or had family and friends who had suffered from his prior actions, but Barnabas spoke to the apostles and verified Paul's story of his conversion.
Barnabas also supported Paul by explaining how strongly he had preached in Damascus. Eventually, Paul was accepted within the Church. But would he have been accepted in Antioch and Jerusalem had he not been "vouched for" by someone with such a solid reputation as Barnabas?
By the time of Acts 11:22-24 we find Barnabas still active in the Jerusalem congregation and trusted by the leadership to go to Antioch to begin working with (giving encouragement and direction to) people who were responding to God's Word.
Here again, we see Barnabas living up to his name of Encourager. He understood what God was doing in bringing gentiles (non-Israelites) into the Church and probably spent the rest of his life serving God to this end.
Barnabas mentored Paul as he began working alongside the other teachers in Antioch. Barnabas took Paul and a young disciple, John Mark (Mark who later became author of the Gospel bearing his name), on a trip through Asia Minor. By this time Barnabas and Paul are both referred to as apostles (Acts 14:14).
After some time had passed, Paul proposed that he and Barnabas retrace the steps of their original journey and strengthen the churches that had been established (Acts 15:36).
Sadly, a serious disagreement came between Barnabas and Paul over whether young John Mark would accompany them on this trip. Paul was so upset with John Mark returning home in the middle of their first journey that he didn't want him to come on this trip. Barnabas insisted that they should take Mark. With this matter standing between them, they went separate ways (Acts 15:39-41).
This disagreement was not permanent, however, as Paul and Barnabas later worked together in serving the church in Corinth (see 1 Corinthians 9:6). We have no record of Barnabas being angry with Paul, and he continued to encourage (teach) young John Mark in his ministry. And later we see, Paul acknowledged that Barnabas had been right not to give up on John Mark because he had become a good minister—he was "useful" to Paul for ministry (2 Timothy 4:11).
God used Barnabas in a very influential way in the development of the early New Testament Church. His nickname of Encourager flowed from living God's way of life. How many people came to the knowledge of God's way of life, not only through Barnabas' preaching, but also (and maybe even more importantly) through his example and encouragement?
How amazing! When no one wanted anything to do with the former murderer, Saul, we see Barnabas stood by him. And when Saul then known as Paul gave up on John Mark it was Barnabas again who believed in him.
Let us live by this beautiful example set by Barnabas. Let us always see the best in our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. For ALL of us fall short of the glory of God and it's only by His mercy & grace that we are saved. Let us not judge but instead always seek out the potential in others. It's amazing what people can do and accomplish when they recieve a little encouragement and someone to believe in them.
Let us all be a Barnabas to someone today. ☺
