27th Mar 26 | 16:08
Studies by Book
03 Acts 04 32-37 FELLOWSHIP WITHIN THE EARLY CHURCH 15 Acts 04 36-37 The growth of His church on the foundation of generosity
📖 Acts 04:32-37
acts
15 – 15Mar2023 – *The growth of His church on the foundation of generosity* - _Acts 04:32-37_ - THE CHURCH GREW IN FELLOWSHIP - Bible reading: _Acts 11:22-24_
“Lord Jesus, teach us to be like Barnabas, who feared You, loved truth and hated covetousness. In Your name, we pray. Amen.”
_Acts 4:36-37 And *Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement)*, a Levite of the country of Cyprus, (37) having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet._
One such person in the early church, who feared God, loved truth and hated covetousness was, Barnabas.
It was Barnabas, who was the bridge for Paul to be accepted into the church. _Acts 9:26-27 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. (27) *But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus*._
*When we follow the principle of fearing God, loving truth and hating covetousness there is a release from within us to be people builders.* As we grow such people in our churches, we will be blessed to see the church growing in many different ways.
The ministry of the early church opened as far as Antioch. What was special in this ministry? The gospel was reaching the Gentiles. The person to give form and shape to the growth of the church among the Gentiles was Barnabas. Barnabas’s initial step of fearing God, loving truth and hating covetousness was the basis for the growth of His church.
_Acts 11:22-24 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and *they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch*. (23) When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and *encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. (24) For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord*._
Barnabas, realising that the gospel was now spreading among the Gentiles, his thought went to get Paul into this ministry. He knew how Paul was converted and he knew the call of God on Paul’s life.
*_Acts 11:25-26 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. (26) And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch._*
God was orchestrating the work of His church and there needed people like Barnabas, who would be available for the growth of His church.
The life of generosity, which was exhibited in the life of the early church in Jerusalem was now seen in the life of the church in Antioch. They felt that it was important for them as a church to support the believers in Jerusalem. It was Barnabas and Paul, who were sent to carry their gift and their heart of love and concern for the Jerusalem believers.
_Acts 11:28-30 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. (29) *Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. (30) This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul*._
We can see how the generosity that began in the early church was having such a large impact. The early church in Jerusalem was growing and their growth brought about the growth of the church in Antioch, which was largely made up of Gentiles. This Lord had enabled this Gentile church to be a giving and sharing church. The Lord also empowered this church in Antioch to be a ‘sending out’ church.
Barnabas was once again the first person along with Paul who was chosen by the leading of His Holy Spirit to be sent out to share the gospel in other regions.
_Acts 13:1-3 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (2) As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, *the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."* (3) Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away._
In _Acts 13 and 14_, we read of the first missionary journey of Barnabas and Paul. As the mission unfolds, we see that it is Paul, who takes over as the leader of the team.
This is truly the maturity of Barnabas in allowing Paul to develop into becoming a powerful leader. We are all greatly blessed by the life of Paul. We must give credit to Barnabas, whose influence and encouragement in the life of Paul, continue to bear fruit.
```Consider friends the principle of generosity that was practised in the early church and the impact in the growth of the gospel.```