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Characters Three
Those of you who have been following this program know that we are in the process of
looking at various characters from the Bible in an attempt to find role models for our lives.
In Acts 5:1-10 we have the account of a husband and wife named Ananias and Sapphira.
These two devise a plan to sell a piece of property, keep a portion of the price for themselves and
give the rest to the church while saying they are giving it all. Both lose their lives as a result of this
attempt to lie to God.
What example do we find in these two? We find people who want recognition as being
religious. They want to be esteemed for their sacrificial giving. But we also find people who don't
want to pay the price. They want the praise of sacrifice without the sacrifice itself.
In Acts 4:36,37 we have the example of another man, Barnabas. Unlike Ananias and
Sapphira, he sells a tract of land and gives all the money to the Apostles. What else do we know
about Barnabas that might serve as an example?
After Saul the persecutor of the church is converted to Christ, the Christians still aren't very
eager to place much confidence in him. But Acts 9:27 tells about one man who is willing to run the
risk of taking Saul, now called Paul, and introducing him to the Apostles. This man is Barnabas.
More than once during the first century Christians in one area send money to help needy
people in other areas. Acts 11 records such a collection sent by the church in Antioch. Verse 30
tells us that one of the men whom they trust enough to carry the money to its destination is
Barnabas. This trust is merited, because Acts 12:25 states that Barnabas fulfills his mission.
In Acts 13:46, Barnabas joins Paul in speaking the word of God with courage. But the same
two demonstrate their humility in Acts 14:14,15 by rejecting claims that they are gods. The first
two verses of the next chapter show that Barnabas, along with Paul, holds to sound doctrine.
On their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas take with them a young man named
John Mark. This young man turns back without completing the mission, so Paul does not want to
take him on the second journey. But Barnabas stands up for him, which shows that he is faithful to
his friends even when they make mistakes. Paul shouldn’t be too surprised at Barnabas, since this
is the same Barnabas who was the only one to stand up for him at the beginning.
Even Barnabas has problems and makes mistakes, as we find in Galatians 2. But he
overcomes them and goes ahead.
Ananias and Sapphira want the recognition but they didn’t want to pay the price. Barnabas
gives everything, runs a risk, accepts responsibility, completes his mission, speaks with courage, is
humble, holds to sound doctrine, is faithful to his friends and overcomes problems and goes ahead.
What will happen if we pattern our lives after Barnabas and not Ananias and Sapphira? Of course,
we will be taking steps toward our own salvation. But we will also be able to help others. Acts
4:36 reveals that this man’s real name is Joseph. Barnabas, the nickname given to him by the
Apostles, means "Son of Encouragement."
Acts 11:22-24 describes him as "a good man... full of the Holy Spirit and of faith." Verse 24
concludes by saying, "And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord."
Let's take a look now at two other New Testament characters.
One is Judas, the Apostle who betrays Jesus.
We find Judas in John l2:3-8 where he is complaining about a woman who has come to
anoint the feet of Jesus.
What else do we know about Judas? John l8:3 makes it clear that Judas is a coward. He has
a group of soldiers with him when he betrays Jesus. Luke 22:48 shows him to be a hypocrite since
he uses a sign of friendship to betray Jesus. He puts his ideas above those of God, as is seen in
John 12:5. In fact, he is a thief.
What about the woman who anoints Jesus’ feet? We see that she has the courage to go to
Jesus alone. She is humble and honest. She puts Christ in first place.
Which is the better example for us? Is it the coward, or the one who has the courage to go
to Jesus alone? Is it the hypocrite or the one who is humble and honest? Is it the one who puts
his ideas above God's, or the one who puts Christ in first place? How do we remember these
two? Our memory of Judas is bad. Mark 14:9 says our memory of the woman is good.
Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R),
(C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977.
Used by permission."