And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

Acts 9:26-27

After surviving an assassination attempt in Damascus, Paul heads back to Jerusalem. But if he thought he would be received warmly there, he was sorely mistaken. No doubt he was thoroughly condemned by his former associates who opposed the apostolic claims about Jesus. But he is rebuffed by the disciples in Jerusalem, too. After the terror he has inflicted on their brothers and sisters in Christ, who could blame them for questioning the authenticity of Paul’s alleged conversion?

At this point, Luke reintroduces Barnabas into the narrative. He is first described in Acts 4 as a Levite, a native of Cyprus whose given name was Joseph but whom the apostles had nicknamed “son of encouragement.” This Greek word translated “encouragement” is used elsewhere to describe the Holy Spirit as a comforter, an advocate. And this is fitting because Luke will go on to describe Barnabas as a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith (Acts 11:24).

In this critical moment in Paul’s life, Barnabas earns his nickname once again. He encourages Paul, vouches for him, advocates on his behalf before the apostles. He bears witness to the legitimacy of Paul’s conversion. He tells the brethren that Paul saw Jesus on the road to Damascus and that he preached with great boldness thereafter.

And this makes all the difference in Paul’s life. In this moment when people are questioning Paul’s identity, Barnabas sees something in Paul, something that others can’t quite see at the time.

What would have become of Paul if it were not for Barnabas?

Imagine a world where Barnabas doesn’t speak up for Paul in Jerusalem. Would he have ever been accepted by the believers there? Or would they have continued to reject him? And if this rejection had persisted, how would Paul have reacted? As we said before, Paul’s zeal for righteousness is one of his defining traits, which seems to make him somewhat impervious to criticism. But at the same time, it’s hard to imagine that his career as an itinerant preacher and church planter could have developed to any substantial degree without the approval of the mother church in Jerusalem. Is it possible that their rejection would have been enough to sideline him, to keep him from fulfilling his purpose?

I submit to you that one of the greatest evangelists and church planters the world has ever seen might never have had such an impact for the Kingdom if it weren’t for the encouragement of Barnabas.

Sometimes, all it takes for us to develop our gifts is the right bit of encouragement from the right person at the right time.

Everyone needs a Barnabas.