Acts 9:26-31 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
The apostles had every right to be afraid of Saul. They witnessed his cruel persecution of Christians. Gripped by fear, they could not trust his conversion. But Barnabas was bold. He saw the change in Saul’s heart and knew it was of God…he knew Saul had seen Jesus. Who do you most relate to in this story? Are you Saul? Have you been completely changed by an encounter with Jesus? Are you struggling to get people to see you differently? Are you like the apostles, looking skeptically at a brother or sister who claims salvation you may think they don’t deserve? Or, are you like Barnabas, one who boldly defends and encourages those who have made life changes because of Christ? As a result of Barnabas’ support of Saul, the apostles believed him and helped him begin his ministry. As a result of Saul’s new ministry for Christ, the church knew peace and grew throughout new lands. If people were talking about your life since meeting Christ, what testimony about you would come after the words as a result…?
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