Acts 9
February 16, 2022
“When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles.” (v 26-27)
It’s not surprising that the disciples were skeptical of welcoming Saul into their fellowship - knowing the stories of his past and his persecution. After all, fake conversions were sometimes (then as today in certain places) a means of infiltrating the church so as to gain intel on (and then inform on) believers. Thus, it took Barnabas risking his reputation and vouching for Saul - in order to sway the leaders to receive Saul into the fellowship as a true brother in Christ. Barnabas was instrumental in paving the way for Saul to begin a powerful preaching ministry mightily used by God!
Lord Jesus, I praise You for Your rescue and reconciliation, and for the way You’ve used other people in my life: to help me, teach me, advocate for me, put in a good word for me, and open up doors of fellowship and ministry for me. Thank You for the Barnabas-brothers You’ve placed in my life. Show me the ways I can be a Barnabas-brother to others - especially those younger believers who could use encouragement, an invitation to fellowship or serve, or someone to advocate for them. After all, it’s the only appropriate response to having You be my ultimate Advocate (1 John 2:1) - stepping in to do what I could not do to bring me into fellowship with the Father - despite my past!
— Pastor Joshua Brooks
Use the following steps to guide your daily time with the Lord…
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Start with prayer. Ask God to open your heart to help you understand and receive His Word.
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Read and observe the passage carefully. As needed, read a second Bible version to help with understanding.
➡️ What does it say?
What does this passage teach me about God? What does it say about my sinful nature and my need for God’s grace? How does this passage point to Jesus?
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➡️ What am I going to do about it?
Does this passage include a promise to claim, an action/attitude to avoid/embrace, or a principle to apply? How can this truth apply to my life? What could my next step be? How can I share this with others? Is there a verse or section of Scripture I need to memorize?
