[Last week we read Acts 11:19-26 and discovered how Barnabas’ role as encourager is essential to a new movement. In vs. 25 we see Barnabas playing a key role in kick-starting the Apostle Paul’s ministry.]

Someone once said, “No Barnabas, no Apostle Paul.” In other words, had it not been for Barnabas, we may never have read of Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys or benefited from all his letters to the early church. Let’s take a closer look at Paul’s rise to leadership.

He is first introduced as Saul in the Acts narrative—one who was approving of Stephen’s martyrdom though not personally involved in the act of stoning (Acts 7:58). Saul was passionate about the destruction of the early church, going from house to house dragging men and women off to prison (Acts 8:3). He received special permission from the high priest in Jerusalem to go far as far as Damascus (135 miles away!) to capture Christians and bring them back for imprisonment (Acts 9:1-2).

It was on this mission to Damascus that Saul experienced a dramatic conversion resulting in a 180 degree turn in his life (Acts 9). When attempting to join the Christian movement back in Jerusalem, however, he was met with tremendous fear (Acts 9:26). But Barnabas stepped out in faith and introduced Saul to the apostles (Acts 9:27). None other than Barnabas was the catalyst.

Saul then began to boldly proclaim his faith and debate with those who resisted Jesus. He stirred up such fierce opposition that the other believers shipped him off to his hometown for protection. Perhaps by putting him on the “back burner” in Tarsus, it also took the heat of persecution off them. In any case, Saul seems to have been sidelined until Barnabas brought him back to the fore in Acts 11:25. Had it not been for Barnabas we may never have heard of Saul again.