Acts 4:33-37 “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

In describing the infant New Testament Church; Luke used word like “great power” and “great grace.” When considering the health and harmony of the early church, much of it can be attributed to individuals like Barnabas. In fact, having spoken of the power and the grace, only one person is mentioned by name; “Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas.” The emphasis may be that he has a name worth remembering. With respect to this fact, one must acknowledge this fundamental truth, “One must be known to have a name!” While this is not all he is known for, there are three things in the text that make Barnabas a name worth remembering.

Barnabas was known for his tenderness and not his title, “son of consolation.” He was born with the title of “Joses”, thought to be compared to the name Joseph, a well-respected name in Jewish culture; yet there was a tenderness about him that caught the eye of the apostles. When you study out the phrase, “son of consolation” it gives the idea of the off-spring of help, encouragement, and exhortation. One who calls others toward them for the purpose of ministering to them, to help; it projects the thoughts or the ministry of the Comforter.

Barnabas was known for his giving and not his gathering, “brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” From the time Barnabas appears on the scene in Acts 4, until he departs for Cyprus with Mark in Acts 15 where he steps off the scene; his entire life is marked by giving. Rather than gathering the temporal possessions of this world, Barnabas gives of his substance and of self. While we don’t know how he came by the land, he determined that it was nothing worthy of keeping for self. His life was spent in service for the Sovereign, the saints, and the sinner. He will spend the remainder of it when he draws his last breath as a martyr for the cause of Christ; “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it” (Mark 8:35).

Barnabas was known for his promoting and not his preeminence, “distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” Barnabas could have used his possessions and his position to elevate himself among the brethren, but he chose to promote the ministration of the saints and the ministry of the servant over the magnification of self. While it is not purposeful, in most cases the names of Paul and John Mark take a preeminent place in the thoughts of most Bible students, yet, they would not had it not been for the promoting of Barnabas.

When considering the health and harmony within the early church much can be attributed to individuals like Barnabas; a name worth remembering because he was remembered for his tenderness and not his title, his giving and not his gathering, his promoting and not his preeminence. I wonder if my name will be worth remembering, and if so, what will it be remembered for?