24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord.

Acts 11:24

LEGACY

Acts 11:24 gives us a simple, beautiful, and inspiring account of Barnabas's legacy. Luke uses verse 24 as the explanation for Barnabas's conduct. His behavior as an encourager is rooted in these following truths.

1. "FOR HE WAS A GOOD MAN"

First, Luke attests to Barnabas's character. He was a good man. This phrase "good man" is only used by Luke one other time to describe Joseph of Arimathea, who buried Jesus. "Good" (agathos, ἀγαθός) pertains to meeting a high standard of quality or meeting a high standard of worth and merit. Barnabas is a man of high standard of worth and merit. I love the simplicity and the power of the statement, "he was a good man." If your family was to describe you in a word, what would that word be? If your work was to describe you in a word, what would that word be? If your friends were to describe you in a word, what would that word be?May our character be consistent with our faith in Jesus Christ.

2. "FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND OF FAITH"

Second, Luke states that Barnabas is "full of the Holy Spirit and of Faith." As evidenced in Barnabas's life he was willing to follow the leading of God's Spirit and take some risks. From selling his land for the good of the church to defending Paul as a legitimate disciple, Barnabas was guided by God's Holy Spirit.Whenever you shake a coffee cup, coffee comes out. Whenever you shake a water glass, water comes out. Whenever you get shook up, whenever life gets heavy and the road gets step, what comes out? Would you describe your life as full of the Holy Spirit and of faith?May we be full of God's Spirit and obedience to his leading!

3. "AND LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WERE ADDED TO THE LORD"

Lastly, Luke tells us that "large numbers of people were added to the Lord." Barnabas's life was deeply intertwined with people obtaining salvation by grace through faith in Christ. The emphasis of this passage is not that there were "large numbers" but that people were rescued from sin and death and brought to Jesus Christ.Are you participating in God's purposes? Who are you discipling? Who are you sharing the gospel with? Who are you praying for? May it be said of us that many were added to the Lord because of our lives. Legacy. What will be said of you once you are dead? What will be the contents of your eulogy? Barnabas made much of his time on earth. He was a good man. He was full of the Holy Spirit and faith. He played a role in many people being added to the Lord.What about you?