Paul and Barnabars

                    DID YOU KNOW?

Paul and Barnabas

-Brothers Even Though They Were Different

Paul was a person with strong feelings. Before he became a Christian, he was “breathing threat and murder against the disciples of the Lord.” (Acts 9:1) Later, Paul described how he used to feel about Christians:”I was extremely furious with them.”-Acts 26:11.

                After Paul was baptized, he changed. But people remembered how he used to be. Even after he had been a Christian for some time, the brothers were all afraid of him, because they did not believe he was a disciple.”-Acts 9:26.

                When Paul went to Jerusalem, the brothers there did not trust him. But a brother Cyprus named Joseph helped him. Joseph was a kind brother who was loved and respected by the Congregation. In fact, the brothers called him Barnabas, which means “Son of Comfort.” (Acts 4:36,37) How did Barnabas help Paul? We read:”Barnabas came to his aid and led him to the apostles, and he told them in details how on the road he had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.”(Acts 9:26-28) After the brothers in Jerusalem heard what Barnabas said, they began to trust Paul and treat him as a brother. Soon, Paul and Barnabas began to work together in the preaching work as missionaries. –Acts 15:36-40.

                Barnabas must have valued Paul’s zeal and honesty because Paul was never afraid to say or do what was needed. And Paul must have been grateful to work with someone like Barnabas, who was kind and who cared tenderly for others.

              But does not the Bible say that Paul and Barnabas once had “a sharp burst of anger? Why did they disagree? Paul and Barnabas “disagreement was not because of their different personalities. It was about whether or not a brother named John Mark qualified to serve as a missionary along with them.-Acts 15:36-40.

                Even though Paul and Barnabas had different personalities, they had worked together. In fact, they must have resolved their disagreement, since John Mark later worked alongside Paul again. (Colossians 4:10) Like Paul and Barnabas, we all have different personalities. Even so, we can enjoy serving Jehovah together.

Written by Liberty .N. Essien

Visit Us @ sirlibztech.blogspot.com.ng

Delta state,

Nigeria.