It is so exciting in Acts 11 to read how the Early Church grew and of the work of many of the disciples. Barnabas is one such disciple. To be known as the Son of Encouragement is a lot to live up to. It was revolutionary to go to preach to the Greeks and he received criticism for doing so. At first the gospel story had been for the Jews only. It was not welcome for Barnabas to do this.
He went even further and travelled to Tarsus to look for Paul. He felt his presence would be a great help in the work of spreading the gospel. In the event the two men spent a whole year in Antioch, preaching and encouraging the people.
The story finishes with a lovely little touch. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Acts 11.20 And today more than two thousand years later we are still known as Christians and proud to be known as such. We have the name of our Lord and Master.