Barnabas

Nobody here says “that’s mine” any more. People are selling land and houses and bringing the money so no one goes without, and it’s beautiful to see. I sold a field too. They’ve started calling me Barnabas. It means Son of Encouragement.

When Saul got to Jerusalem, the believers were all scared of him. Nobody believed he was really one of us. So I took him to the apostles myself and told them everything: the road, the Lord speaking to him, how boldly he’d preached in Damascus.

Jerusalem sent me to Antioch to see what’s happening with all these Greeks believing. What’s happening is God’s kindness, everywhere you look. I was so glad. Told them all to hold on to the Lord with everything they’ve got. Then I went to Tarsus, found Saul and brought him back.

We had to bring God’s message to you first. But since you’re pushing it away, we’re turning to the non-Jews. It’s what the Lord told us to do: he’s made us a light for the nations, to take his rescue to the ends of the earth.

Paul healed a man in Lystra who’d never walked. Now the crowd have decided I’m Zeus and Paul is Hermes, because he does all the talking. The priest of Zeus has turned up with bulls.

Sold my field. Brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Replying to @barnabas

That’s me. The apostles call me Barnabas now. Son of Encouragement.

Took Saul to the apostles myself. Told them all of it. He saw the Lord on the Damascus road, and the Lord spoke to him. And in Damascus he spoke out in Jesus’ name, no holding back.