Our text is in Acts 11th chapter 24th verse. We read, "For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and faith and much people was added unto the Lord." This within itself is a wonderful history of a man, however in few words, yet words enough to tell us of his goodness and graces.
First, a good man; second, a man full of the Holy Ghost; third, a man full of faith; fourth, and much people added to the Lord.
Now here is history enough for a large book. First, we will say concerning the early life of Barnabas, the Bible gives us but little or, we might say, no information, for it tells us nothing about his birth and nothing about his boyhood days, not a word about his education and his ancestors. In all these points the sacred record is absolutely silent. We are introduced to him at once as a full grown man with a fully developed moral manhood. We are told in Acts 4th chapter 36th verse that his first name was Joses and that he was surnamed by the apostles, Barnabas, which is, being interpreted, "the son of consolation," and that he was a Levite and of the country of Cyprus. Scant as is our knowledge of the boy, there is enough said of the man Barnabas to indicate that he was a most noble character.
His name is first mentioned in connection with a great revival of religion, which was held in Jerusalem by Peter and John. We read that Peter and John had healed the lame man at the beautiful gate of the temple and their imprisonment soon followed. Before the Council that met in Jerusalem they manifested such holy boldness that the council marveled, but commanded them not to speak or teach any more in the name of Jesus. But being let go the apostles went to their own company, and reported what had been said to them. This brought the whole church together for prayers, and while they prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled.
Thank the Lord, prayer has shaken more things loose than earthquakes. This was a Holy Ghost revival, for we read that the multitudes that believed, were of one heart and one soul, and among this multitude was the young man that we call Barnabas. As we shall readily see, a revival that was so far-reaching that it unstopped deaf ears, that it opened eyes, and made the world, the flesh, and the Devil sit up and take notice, was indeed a very remarkable revival. For any revival that would bring into view and into such publicity such a man as this man Barnabas, must have been an unusual revival. At least it was no ordinary affair, and it is wonderful how a revival of Holy Ghost religion brings men into view. How different we sometimes think of the revival of our days.
They are called "modern revivals," some of them are called "decision days," others have put on what they call "drives for members," and little cards have been published and committees in the different classes of the church have gone out and walked the streets, they have buttonholed men in the banks and in the post office, in grocery stores, dry goods houses, on street cars and in fact on the street corners, have presented them with a card, and kindly asked them to write their names on them, and by so doing, were to become a member of some ecclesiastical body. That is called on in our day a "drive for members."
The only thing you can say for such proceedings is that a few names were added to the church roll, and we were in one city where the people that had given their names on cards were not even in the church when their names were read out. We might say now, "Oh, for an old-fashioned revival of heart felt old-fashioned religion that would give to the world another Barnabas," whose name shall go down in history to be perpetuated as long as the ages, and remembered by the Church universal for his noble character.
Robinson, Reuben A. (Bud). The Collected Works of 'Uncle Bud' Robinson
First, a good man; second, a man full of the Holy Ghost; third, a man full of faith; fourth, and much people added to the Lord.
Now here is history enough for a large book. First, we will say concerning the early life of Barnabas, the Bible gives us but little or, we might say, no information, for it tells us nothing about his birth and nothing about his boyhood days, not a word about his education and his ancestors. In all these points the sacred record is absolutely silent. We are introduced to him at once as a full grown man with a fully developed moral manhood. We are told in Acts 4th chapter 36th verse that his first name was Joses and that he was surnamed by the apostles, Barnabas, which is, being interpreted, "the son of consolation," and that he was a Levite and of the country of Cyprus. Scant as is our knowledge of the boy, there is enough said of the man Barnabas to indicate that he was a most noble character.
His name is first mentioned in connection with a great revival of religion, which was held in Jerusalem by Peter and John. We read that Peter and John had healed the lame man at the beautiful gate of the temple and their imprisonment soon followed. Before the Council that met in Jerusalem they manifested such holy boldness that the council marveled, but commanded them not to speak or teach any more in the name of Jesus. But being let go the apostles went to their own company, and reported what had been said to them. This brought the whole church together for prayers, and while they prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled.
Thank the Lord, prayer has shaken more things loose than earthquakes. This was a Holy Ghost revival, for we read that the multitudes that believed, were of one heart and one soul, and among this multitude was the young man that we call Barnabas. As we shall readily see, a revival that was so far-reaching that it unstopped deaf ears, that it opened eyes, and made the world, the flesh, and the Devil sit up and take notice, was indeed a very remarkable revival. For any revival that would bring into view and into such publicity such a man as this man Barnabas, must have been an unusual revival. At least it was no ordinary affair, and it is wonderful how a revival of Holy Ghost religion brings men into view. How different we sometimes think of the revival of our days.
They are called "modern revivals," some of them are called "decision days," others have put on what they call "drives for members," and little cards have been published and committees in the different classes of the church have gone out and walked the streets, they have buttonholed men in the banks and in the post office, in grocery stores, dry goods houses, on street cars and in fact on the street corners, have presented them with a card, and kindly asked them to write their names on them, and by so doing, were to become a member of some ecclesiastical body. That is called on in our day a "drive for members."
The only thing you can say for such proceedings is that a few names were added to the church roll, and we were in one city where the people that had given their names on cards were not even in the church when their names were read out. We might say now, "Oh, for an old-fashioned revival of heart felt old-fashioned religion that would give to the world another Barnabas," whose name shall go down in history to be perpetuated as long as the ages, and remembered by the Church universal for his noble character.
Robinson, Reuben A. (Bud). The Collected Works of 'Uncle Bud' Robinson
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