Walking by Faith: Barnabas – Building Up the Believers

His real name was Joseph. But most believers knew him by a different name—Barnabas,

which means “son of encouragement.” 

You won’t find Barnabas leading Pentecost crowds or writing New Testament letters. But you will find him at crucial moments, quietly shaping the early church by encouraging people others overlooked. 

Barnabas didn’t need the spotlight. He used his life to lift others into it. 

Walking by faith doesn’t always look like bold preaching or heroic sacrifice. Sometimes it looks like quiet confidence in what God is doing in someone else’s life—and the willingness to invest in them even when others are skeptical. 

A Generous Beginning 

Barnabas first appears in Acts 4. The early church in Jerusalem had begun sharing everything they had. Luke tells us that Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, sold a field and gave the money to the apostles. 

“Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas… sold a field… and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:36–37). 

This wasn’t about recognition. It was about radical generosity. He saw needs and responded. And his spirit of encouragement quickly became his trademark. 

It was the first of many times he would give sacrificially—not just with his resources, but with his reputation. 

Believing in Paul Before Anyone Else Would 

When Saul of Tarsus—later known as Paul—encountered Christ on the road to Damascus, the transformation was shocking. But not everyone believed it. 

The church in Jerusalem was understandably afraid. This was the man who had once hunted them down. Even after Saul’s conversion, many believers kept their distance. 

Enter Barnabas. 

“But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles…” (Acts 9:27) 

Barnabas didn’t just vouch for Paul. He told Paul’s story. He bridged the gap between fear and fellowship. Without Barnabas, Paul might have remained sidelined far longer. 

That one act of encouragement helped open the door for the world-changing ministry that followed. 

Empowering Others to Lead 

Barnabas wasn’t just a bridge builder. He was a multiplier. 

When the gospel began spreading beyond Jerusalem to places like Antioch, the church sent Barnabas to check it out. He could have taken charge. But instead, he went to find Paul—and brought him into the mission. 

“So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch” (Acts 11:25–26). 

Together, they spent a year teaching and strengthening the new believers. The movement was growing, and Barnabas chose to lead by lifting up someone else’s voice alongside his own. 

Encouragers don’t hoard influence. They share it. 

Standing by John Mark 

Later, Paul and Barnabas prepared for another missionary journey. But they disagreed about whether to bring along John Mark, who had abandoned a previous trip. 

Paul said no. Barnabas said yes. 

“There arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated…” (Acts 15:39) 

It wasn’t a minor debate. It was strong enough to split the team. But Barnabas stuck with Mark, believing that his failure wasn’t final. 

And history shows Barnabas was right. Mark grew into a faithful minister—and eventually wrote the Gospel of Mark. 

Barnabas didn’t just encourage people who were strong. He walked with those still struggling—and helped them grow. 

What Barnabas’s Journey Means for Ours 

You may not be called to preach to thousands or plant churches across continents. But you are called to build others up. 

Encouragement isn’t soft or sentimental. It’s courageous. It takes faith to see what God is doing in someone’s life before it’s fully visible—and to speak into it with hope. 

This kind of faith lifts others after failure. It makes room at the table for outsiders. It champions the overlooked. And in doing so, it strengthens the church. 

Final Encouragement 

Barnabas never wrote a book of the Bible. But his encouragement helped launch two men who did. 

That’s the power of faithful encouragement. It multiplies. It amplifies. It echoes into lives and generations we may never see. 

So be a Barnabas. Speak life. Share generously. Believe in someone who needs a second chance. 

Because walking by faith isn’t just trusting God for your own journey—it’s helping others walk theirs.