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It was about 45 C.E.
The place was Syrian Antioch,
the third-largest city in the Roman Empire.
There was a tremendous amount
of potential that existed in that city,
but they needed to organize the work.
They needed someone
who could encourage,
comfort, and inspire others.
They needed a difference maker.
Well, whom did
the congregation recommend,
and what qualified them
for that assignment?
And what lessons
can we take away from this?
Well, let’s open our Bibles
to Acts chapter 11
(the early history of the congregation),
and we’re going to see
who was recommended.
But, first, the context helps us to see
that persecution had displaced the disciples
as far as Antioch.
That was some 350 miles away,
or 550 kilometers, from Jerusalem.
Now, what happened?
Then there were Greek-speaking ones
who started to show interest in the Word.
So whom would they send?
Let’s look at verse 22:
“The report about them reached the ears
of the congregation in Jerusalem,
and they sent out Barnabas
as far as Antioch.”
Barnabas was the one they selected.
Barnabas was the difference maker.
Now, his actual name was Joseph,
meaning “Jah Has Added.”
What a good name for a Levite!
But according to the apostles,
the name Barnabas better matched
his warmhearted character,
his personality, his disposition.
So Barnabas means “Son of Comfort,”
“Son of Encouragement.”
Was Barnabas selected based on
his personality for this assignment?
Well, look at verse 24:
“For he was a good man
and full of holy spirit and faith.”
So “he was a good man,”
not just a righteous man.
What made him so good?
What made him such a standout?
Well, consider: In 36 C.E.,
Paul was still known as Saul the persecutor,
and many were scared of him.
In fact, at Acts 9:26, the Scriptures say
that “they were all afraid of him”
in that congregation.
But Barnabas “came to his aid.”
Barnabas is the one who took him
to Peter and then to James.
Barnabas vouched for him.
So Barnabas provided
a voice to the voiceless,
a helping hand to the helpless.
So, what do we learn from this?
That a good man
doesn’t just see the problem,
but he becomes part of the solution.
That’s what made Barnabas so good.
But Barnabas was also “full of holy spirit.”
Now, that expression “full of holy spirit”
shows that Barnabas had a free flow
of Jehovah’s spirit in his life,
that he followed the leadings of that spirit.
Now, the expression is also used
with two other individuals in the Scriptures.
One was Jesus after he was baptized
and was being led into the wilderness,
and the second was Stephen
before he was martyred.
So Barnabas was in good company.
But look at what it says about faith.
Barnabas had faith.
That means he trusted
Jehovah’s way of doing things.
He had confidence in Jesus’ leadership.
Now, The Watchtower once suggested that
Barnabas had been one of Jesus’ disciples.
If so, he could have observed the original
Good News According to Jesus.
He would have been able to see
Jesus’ love in action,
his compassion, his care for people.
And this would have strengthened
his love for Jehovah.
It would have stirred his emotions
and then helped him to be able
to be ready to help others.
For example, in 33 C.E., remember,
many thousands were being baptized,
‘3,000 in one day.’
That became “5,000.”
Well, those new disciples
stuck around Jerusalem
to learn from the apostles
—learn about “The Way.”
But they needed accommodations.
They needed food and other supplies.
Well, the disciples got together
and started to provide for them.
Barnabas was in the mix.
Barnabas, remember, he sold his land
and donated the proceeds
to be able to help the cause.
So, what do we see?
It takes faith to make sacrifices
for the Kingdom
—whether it be land or a career
or other things.
But Barnabas didn’t hesitate.
So, what do we learn from this?
It wasn’t Barnabas’ Levite pedigree,
his personality, or his organizational skills
that qualified him
for this assignment in Antioch.
Really, it was his spiritual qualities
that came to the fore.
It involved three things:
being “a good man
and full of holy spirit and faith.”
Now, how did this help him in Antioch?
Well, look at the second part of verse 24:
“And a considerable crowd
was added to the Lord”
—“a considerable crowd.”
If you look around here, there is
a considerable crowd in this auditorium.
A considerable crowd came into the truth
because of Barnabas.
And Jehovah blessed that.
That is what you call making a difference.
Now, let’s consider another lesson
that we can learn from Barnabas
—verse 25:
“So he went to Tarsus
to make a thorough search for Saul.”
So why would he leave Antioch
after having such success?
He was a capable person.
He was doing well.
Well, he went to Antioch
—and that was some 240 miles round-trip,
some 400 kilometers—
because he knew he could do better.
Remember, what one man
can do well, two can do better.
“Two are better than one.”
But why Saul?
Well, Barnabas discerned
that he had potential.
Paul was a difference maker,
so he would be able
to strengthen the congregations
and be able to help others.
So, what do we learn from this?
Well, today the work is expanding.
Training ones with potential
not only supports the growth now,
but it also helps us to support the growth
that’s going to happen
in the great tribulation
and into the new world.
We have to remember
that this great crowd will be great!
It’s going to be a number
that no man can count.
So, really, training others
is really an expression of our faith.
And that’s why you’re here.
You’re getting trained
to be able to support this growth.
Now, another interesting development
took place in Antioch.
Look at Acts 13:1:
“In Antioch there were prophets
and teachers in the local congregation.”
Barnabas was listed
among them, then Saul.
And notice
what the holy spirit said in verse 2:
“Set aside for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them.”
Here, Barnabas
is getting another assignment.
But what’s interesting is that the two men
left in Antioch were Barnabas and Saul.
But then Saul’s name was changed to Paul,
and from that point on,
they called them “Paul and Barnabas”
or “Paul and his companions.”
There was a change.
The lesser-experienced man
was now taking the lead.
But why was Barnabas able to adapt,
to adjust, to this change successfully?
Well, Barnabas was “good,”
he was “full of holy spirit,”
and he had “faith.”
So he put the others’ interests
ahead of his own.
He put Kingdom interests first.
He also was following
the leadings of the spirit.
He had confidence
in heaven’s direction.
Barnabas was a difference maker,
and so was Paul.
And that’s what made them
such a dynamic duo.
There’s no doubt that Barnabas’
good example encouraged Paul.
Over a decade later,
Paul wrote to the Ephesians
about “gifts in men”.
So he mentioned “apostles,” “prophets,”
“evangelizers,” “shepherds,” “teachers”
who would “build up” the congregation.
Did he have Barnabas’ example in mind
when he was penning those scriptures?
So Barnabas was a difference maker.
But what about you?
Are you a difference maker?
Each day is a new opportunity to do good,
to follow the leadings of the holy spirit,
and to demonstrate strong faith.
So ask yourself:
‘Is there someone whom I work with
that I can encourage today?
‘Who is it?
What words of commendation
or gratitude will I share with them?’
‘Is there someone in need of comfort?
‘How will I provide it?
By means of a text?
a phone call? or a visit?’
‘Can I take someone under my wing
and help them to realize their potential?
Well, when will I start the training?’
And in times of change,
‘How will I show my faith and sensitivity
to the leadings of the spirit?’
Dear class 158,
know that Jehovah sees you,
Jehovah loves you,
and Jehovah appreciates you.
And as Jehovah helps you
to realize your potential,
we’re confident that each of you
will be a difference maker.

Michael E. Banks: Will You Be a Difference Maker?—158th Gilead Graduation