Building bridges

Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. — Acts 9:27

A new believer recently attended our worship service. He had long, multicolored, spiked hair. He was dressed in dark clothes and had many piercings and tattoos. Some gaped, and others just gave him that “It’s good to see you in church, but please don’t sit next to me” smile. Yet there were some during the greeting time who went out of their way to welcome and accept him. They were bridge builders.

Barnabas was that bridge builder for Saul (also called Paul). When Saul arrived in Jerusalem 3 years after his conversion, many disciples were afraid of him and doubted his transformation (Acts 9:26). He didn’t receive a warm welcome from the Jerusalem church greeters for good reason. Saul had a terrible reputation for persecuting Christians! But Barnabas, a Jewish convert, believed God’s work of grace in Saul’s life and became a bridge between him and the apostles (v. 27).

Saul needed someone to come alongside him to encourage and teach him, and to introduce him to other believers. Barnabas was that bridge. As a result, Saul was brought into deeper fellowship with the disciples in Jerusalem and was able to preach the gospel there freely and boldly.

New believers need a Barnabas in their lives. Find ways that you can be a bridge in the lives of others. — Marvin Williams

Oh, I would be to others

A cheering ray of light,

Inspiring them with courage

To climb some newfound height! — Bosch

READ: Acts 9:17-27

Be a bridge of encouragement to someone today.
The Bible in one year:

• Psalms 60-62