The Life and Times of Joseph, the Encourager

Many know of this man named Joseph, but know him by another name, Barnabas (Acts 4:36). We read here in Acts that Joseph was called “son of encouragement” by the apostles, which means Barnabas. Immediately, his name speaks volumes of the man’s character because it was not his given name, but a nick name given to him by the apostles of the Lord.

From the word go, this Levite from Cyprus (Acts 3:36) was a giving man. We are told in the next verse that he sold a field and gave the money to the apostles to distribute as they saw fit. What an example for both the believers of his day as well as for us.

The next time we here of Barnabas is in Jerusalem aiding a fellow Christian (Acts 9:26-27). The man he was helping found himself in quite a predicament. The man Barnabas helped was Paul; the persecutor formerly known as Saul, who relentlessly imprisoned and murdered members of the church but now turned Christian. When all others wanted to avoid this murderer of Christians, Barnabas went out on a limb to reach this new born babe in Christ. What a leader, example, and encourager he was.

Barnabas accompanied Paul on many of his missionary journeys until an argument caused them to go their separate ways. In Acts 13:13, Paul and Barnabas left for another mission trip with John Mark, who was Barnabas’ cousin, but for some reason Mark turned back. It was not until Paul and Barnabas were planning another trip that there was a disagreement between the two friends. Paul wanted to leave Mark behind but Barnabas wanted to take him. Even apostles argued (Acts 14:14) and even fell short and sinned (Gal. 2:11-13).

This is not the end of our story, Paul, Barnabas and John Mark were eventually reconciled in 1Cor. 9:6. Through out the book of Acts, we see this man Joseph popping up, risking his life for the sake of Christ (Acts 15:26) and called “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and Faith” (Acts 11:24). You see, no one remembers a man named Joseph from Cyprus, but every one remembers Barnabas the Encourager. By the power of Christ and His blood, Joseph was transformed into this man who encourages still so many today. What is Christ transforming you into (Rom. 12:2; 2Cor. 3:18)?

Our Governing Authorities

Today the United States will enter into what would be a very dangerous time if it were in another country. Today is the Inauguration of the new President, which in many countries, this event is either lead or closely followed by murder, war, political and economic unrest. However, in this Great country this power change happens every four to eight years without incident. This is something to rejoice over.

Many, however, have very strong opinions about the President of the United States, who he should be and from what party he should be. This attitude can be healthy for a republic like we have in the United States. Having said that, one may began to wonder how far a Christian can go with politics and party preferences. We live in a land of freedoms, namely freedom of speech; but just because a Christian lives in a land of freedoms does not mean we should exercise those freedoms.

Paul wrote on the subject of Government on several occasions, and Jesus preached on the matter (Matthew 22:17-21). Let us open our bibles and study the Scriptures to see how a Christian should view and treat governments. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, gave detailed instructions to the readers on the function, authority and proper respect of government. Paul writes:

Rom 13:1-7 ESV Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (2) Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. (3) For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, (4) for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. (5) Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. (6) For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. (7) Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

These words written by Paul so many years ago are still true in the current political climate of the United States. Paul does not mention any political parties or if you agree with policies or laws. What he does say is that we are to respect the government because it is “instituted by God”.

Paul also writes in Titus 3:1 ESV “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,”. Notice that this letter to Titus was written while Nero was Emperor of the Roman Empire and Paul had just been released from prison. Keep in mind the attitude Nero and his government had toward Christianity. Persecution during this period of time in the church was horrific and yet Paul instructs the first century Christians to be submissive and obedient to the government. Try and place yourself in the first century Christians’ shoes, and realize the fear our brothers and sisters must have felt every time they knelt to pray a prayer to our Lord or sing a song in praise. Think of the fear they must have felt every time they reached out to a lost soul knowing it may lead to death in the coliseum.

I challenge each reader to consider his or her own life and ask yourself how you measure up in a free society knowing what others have sacrificed to spread the Word of God under a persecuting Government. Also consider the political climate under which Paul wrote these words. He instructed first century Christians as he instructs Christians today to respect the governing authorities. Paul could have been thinking of Nero as he wrote these words; knowing full well what that wicked king was capable of.

Christian, it is not respectful to bash, joke, or demean Government; this includes the President that gave the oath on January 20, 2009. The Word of God written by Paul is not prefaced with any stipulation on who or what the government is. Consider 1Th 4:11-12 ESV “and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, (12) so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” If every Christians aim is to work hard, live like Christ and “love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 19:19) we can look forward to a peaceful life. Remember, this land of freedom means we are able to live, worship, and preach as Christ has commanded. Many countries in which our fellow Christian brothers and sisters live do not allow these kinds of freedoms.

Rather than complaining, joking, bashing, and poking fun; count your blessings that America still allows Christians to preach and worship as Christ would have us. As long as we live in a country where God’s law is not hindered by government, we can count that as a blessing that those in the first century did not enjoy. Remember Christian, God is our Father, King, and Lord; His Son is our mediator and nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). Take courage knowing that Jesus Christ is our mediator to the creator of the universe, and it is He that gives and takes authority Rom. 13:1-7 and II Tim. 2:5)


---by: Andy McDonald