Barnabas File

Barnabas is one of my favorite characters in scripture; he was a person who looked for the best in others and was called “the son of encouragement” by the early apostles.     He embodies what I hope that I have been to others during my ministry. His icon is one of the first I purchased.   Barnabas is known for many things in the New Testament, but perhaps his most significant role was that of mentor to Saul and his first co-worker in missions.   In the Book of Acts, we read the story of a mentor-protégé relationship that prospered for a period but ended with some discord.  We sometimes forget that Barnabas was a mentor for Saul, the persecutor of the Way who would become its most articulate spokesperson.   When Saul first appeared in Jerusalem after his conversion, many of the church leaders feared him, but Barnabas recognized that his experience was authentic and advocated for him.  Later Barnabas found himself working with the new church in...