“But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to Him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus” (Acts 9:27).

Imagine what would have happened to Paul if it had not been for Barnabas! When Paul, who was still referred to as Saul, came to the disciples at Jerusalem, he tried to join their fellowship. But they were all afraid of him and doubted the authenticity of his testimony of conversion. But there was Barnabas who reached out and personally made it his business to welcome Saul (Paul) and bring him into the company of believers. Great opportunities await those who will not turn newcomers away by being pushy, nosy, overbearing, unfriendly and standoffish. Barnabas was great at being an assimilator. May you and I be as well!

For today: Try to project how the newcomer feels in your local church. Are you a Barnabas to that person?