We ended our story last week at a time of glory for the fledgling church: Peter and John had been imprisoned for the crime of preaching about Jesus’ resurrection, but were released, and the community of Jesus Followers rejoiced. Their joy was contagious; every day new believers joined them in worshiping together, praying, and most of all caring for each other. They began taking in widows and others who had no one to care for them, feeding them every day, which they paid for by pooling their resources and through special gifts. Many gave everything they had into the apostles’ safekeeping. There was one man – Joseph from the region we now call Libya – who sold a field and brought all the proceeds to lay at the apostles’ feet. This man Joseph was generous in so many ways that the apostles called him “Son of Encouragement,” or Barnabas.
Sermon Notes