Today, we honor St. Barnabas, an apostle of Jesus Christ. When the Jerusalem church grew, the apostles sent Barnabas to confirm and encourage the believers. He witnessed God’s grace and exhorted them to remain faithful, resulting in many more people joining the Lord. His name reflected His Ministry.
The man we celebrate today was originally called Joseph, a man from Cyprus. The name Barnabas’ was given by Apostles in Acts of the Apostles 4:36. Barnabas’ name means “Son of Encouragement,” which fittingly reflects his actions. This highlights the significance of names in our lives. In Scripture, God often changed names to reflect new roles or purposes.
In African culture, naming is a deliberate act, believing the name influences a person’s life. A name like “Felix” (meaning “Happy”) should inspire joy, not sadness.
Let’s reflect on our names and actions. Do they align? Parents, let’s choose names that positively impact our children’s lives. For those with existing names, let’s embody their meanings.
May we live out our faith and names with purpose. Peace 🕊
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