Acts 9:27
“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.”
In Acts 4 we read that Barnabas sold some property and gave the proceeds to the Apostles. In the intervening chapters a significant number of events are mentioned. Stephen died a Martyr’s death, Saul was struck blind, became a believer, and had his sight restored by a faithful servant named Ananias who swallowed his fear and placed his hands on him as the Lord had commanded.
When Saul returned to Jerusalem the Apostles were afraid of him. Into this scene of fear and suspicion steps Barnabas. He did not simply tell the disciples about Saul, it says he “took” him to the disciples. His close proximity to this former enemy of the believers shows that he was willing to place himself in jeopardy to speak in support of Saul. Barnabas took Saul with him and gave a complete account of Saul’s conversion and how he had been preaching Jesus fearlessly in Damascus. When I read this, I wonder why the other disciples had not been looking for the good report?
If there is ever a time that we need to get off our collective do-nothings, and be involved, it is in our day and age. We need more who will step forward and by our actions say, I do not care what the others say or do or think, I am going to step forward and put my life on the line!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil