April 24, 1988
Barnabas played a vital role in the growth of the early church by befriending Saul, introducing him to the apostles, and supporting him as he grew in faith. Alistair Begg encourages us to welcome newcomers and introduce them to others so that the local church grows and is strengthened. God sends people to where the Word of God is proclaimed, friendship is demonstrated, follow-up is guaranteed, and growth in grace is evident.
23pWhen many days had passed, the Jews1 plotted to kill him, 24but their qplot became known to Saul. rThey were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, 25but his disciples took him by night and slet him down through an opening in the wall,2 lowering him in a basket.
26And twhen he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27But uBarnabas took him and vbrought him to the apostles and declared to them whow on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and xhow at Damascus he had ypreached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28So he went zin and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29And he spoke and disputed against athe Hellenists.3 But bthey were seeking to kill him. 30And when cthe brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off dto Tarsus.
31So ethe church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And fwalking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, git multiplied.
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