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[Note: <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1<\/strong> page.]<\/span><\/p>\n The adjective good <\/em><\/strong>is applied to men very sparingly in the New Testament. In fact, it is used only in reference to Joseph of Arimathea and Barnabas and by the same writer in both cases (Luke 23:50; Acts 11:24). While we are not to conclude that no others were deserving of the term, it may be fairly said that it was not used indiscriminately. Focus on Barnabas for a moment. What traits earned him this distinction?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He was full of the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:24). There is no record that he possessed miraculous powers, but this seems to refer to a fullness of the Spirit the Lord would desire for all. It involves living by the. Spirit\u2019s teachings (Gal. 5:25) and minding the things of the Spirit rather than those of the flesh (Rom. 8:5). It is seen in the way one lives (Gal. 5:22\u201324).<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He was full of faith (Acts 11:24). Such a faith comes only from a complete trust in and an adequate knowledge of the Word (Rom. 10:17). A full faith <\/strong>is a working, obedient faith (Jam. 2:17\u201324).<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He was an exhorter, an encourager, a consoler, and a teacher (Acts 11:23, 26). Barnabas <\/em>literally means \u201cson of exhortation\/consolation\u201d (4:36). This statement simply means that he strongly urged others to do what was right. He shared his knowledge willingly with others.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He was trustworthy and dependable (Acts 11:22, 30; 13:2). The brethren at Jerusalem and Antioch and the Holy Spirit all had complete confidence in him or he would not have been chosen for such important tasks. He had proved himself worthy of their trust.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He was generous with his wealth (Acts 4:36\u201337). The first time he is mentioned in Scripture tells us of his selling some land to help the helpless. One may have many good traits, but without generosity, he cannot be truly good.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He risked his life for the name of Christ (Acts 15:26). Compromise was unthinkable to Barnabas. Suffering and persecution lay in his path, but there was no turning back; he would die before he quit.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Before we use the adjective good<\/em><\/strong> too freely, we would do well to consult Barnabas.<\/p>\n [Note:<\/strong> I wrote this article for, and it was published in the September 25, 1975, edition of the Granbury Gospel, <\/em>weekly bulletin of the Granbury Church of Christ, Granbury, Texas, of which I was editor.<\/span><\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong> From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.<\/span><\/p>\n \n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 0[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.] The adjective good is applied to men very sparingly in the New Testament. In fact, it is used only in reference to Joseph of Arimathea and Barnabas and by the…<\/p>\n