Primary Text: Acts 9:23-31
Prepared by: Joey Arles O. Vergara | July 2026
Framework: RECHARGE (Reference Verse, Entry Point, Context, Honor, Admonish, Reteach, Generalize, Encourage)
R – Reference Verse
Acts 9:26-27 (NASB)
26 *When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.
E – Entry Point (Modern-day importance)
When someone new joins our church or our group of friends, how do we treat them? Especially if they have a bad history? In our culture, it is very easy to judge people by their past. If someone was known as a troublemaker, a drunkard, or a gossip, and suddenly they say they are a changed person, our first reaction is often doubt. We wait and watch them, expecting them to fail.
But the early church shows us a better way. Today, we will look at what happened to Saul (who later became Paul) right after he became a Christian. His new life was not easy. He faced death threats, and the Christians were terrified of him. But this story teaches us how a true church acts when there is trouble: we help each other escape danger, we stand up for those who are rejected, we speak boldly, and we enjoy the peace God gives us.
C – Context (Historical and Scriptural Background)
Saul had just been baptized in Damascus. He immediately started preaching that Jesus is the Son of God. The Jewish leaders in Damascus were furious. This was the man they hired to arrest Christians, and now he was preaching for the Christians! They decided the only solution was to kill him.
Saul had to escape Damascus in the middle of the night. He went back to Jerusalem—the very city where he used to drag Christians to prison. Naturally, the church there was terrified of him. They thought it was a trick. But a good man named Barnabas stepped in, vouched for Saul, and helped him become part of the church. Saul continued to preach boldly in Jerusalem until the Jews there also tried to kill him, forcing the brothers to send him away to Tarsus. After this intense time, the whole church experienced a season of wonderful peace and growth.
H – Honor (Celebrating Truth Seekers)
I want to take a moment to honor the "Barnabases" in this congregation. I am talking about the brothers and sisters who are always welcoming. When a new person visits our worship service, you are the first one to shake their hand. When someone is struggling and everyone else is ignoring them, you are the one who sits beside them and encourages them.
You do not judge people by their past; you look at what God is doing in their lives right now. You carry the spirit of Barnabas today. Because of your welcoming heart, many people who felt lost or rejected have found a family in this church.
A – Admonish (A Call to the Errant)
At the same time, we need to correct the habit of holding grudges and refusing to forgive. Some of us are like the fearful disciples in Jerusalem. When a brother or sister sincerely repents of a sin, we still treat them like criminals. We gossip about their past mistakes instead of celebrating their new life.
If we act like this, we are not acting like Christ. We must stop closing the door on people that God has already accepted. If God has forgiven them and washed away their sins, who are we to keep bringing up their past? We must be a safe place for changed lives.
R – Reteach (Key Points)
1. Helping Each Other in Danger (v. 25)
"...but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket." Saul was trapped in Damascus. The gates were guarded day and night by men who wanted to kill him. But he wasn't alone. The other Christians risked their own lives to help him escape in a basket over the city wall. True disciples protect each other.
Practical Application: When a brother or sister is in trouble—maybe they are facing a financial crisis, a family problem, or sickness—do you just watch, or do you help them "escape"? We must be willing to sacrifice our comfort to help our church family when they are trapped in a difficult situation.
Cross-Reference: Galatians 6:2 - "Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ."
2. Standing Up for the Rejected (v. 27)
"But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles..." The name Barnabas means "Son of Encouragement." When everyone else was terrified of Saul, Barnabas took a risk. He stood beside Saul, put his arm around him, and told the leaders, "He is one of us now. I believe in him." Sometimes, all a person needs to succeed is just one person who believes in them.
Practical Application: Who in your life is being rejected or judged right now? Be a Barnabas to them. Stand beside them, encourage them, and help them connect with the church family. Use your good reputation to help build someone else up.
Cross-Reference: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing."
3. Speaking Boldly Even When It Is Hard (v. 29)
"And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death." Even after barely escaping Damascus, Saul didn't stay quiet when he got to Jerusalem. He kept preaching the truth, even to the people who hated him the most. He knew the Gospel was more important than his own safety.
Practical Application: Do you stop talking about Jesus when people disagree with you or make fun of you? We shouldn't be rude, but we must be bold. Don't let fear stop you from sharing the truth, whether at your workplace, your school, or in your own family.
Cross-Reference: Ephesians 6:19-20 - "...that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel... that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."
4. The Result of Faithfulness is Peace and Growth (v. 31)
"So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase." After a season of intense persecution, God gave the church a time of peace. Because they stayed faithful, helped each other, and kept preaching, the Holy Spirit comforted them, and the church grew in numbers.
Practical Application: Are you going through a "storm" right now? Keep being faithful. Keep doing what is right. God knows how to bring peace after the storm. When a church stays united and faithful during hard times, God will bless them with growth and comfort.
Cross-Reference: Acts 2:47 - "Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
G – Generalize
The Christian life is not always easy. As soon as Saul decided to follow Jesus, his life became dangerous. But God did not leave him alone. He provided fellow believers to lower him in a basket, and a friend like Barnabas to welcome him into the church. When we act as true brothers and sisters—protecting each other, encouraging the rejected, and boldly speaking the truth—God will guide us through the hardest trials. And just like the early church, our faithfulness will eventually lead to a season of wonderful peace, comfort from the Holy Spirit, and great growth for the Kingdom.
E – Encourage (The Final Charge)
Brothers and sisters, look around you today. We are a family! If you see someone who looks lonely or new, be a Barnabas to them this week. Go up to them and make them feel welcome. If you see someone struggling, help them out. And no matter what trouble you face outside this building, never stop speaking boldly about the love of Jesus Christ. Let us stay united so that this congregation will continue to experience the peace and growth of the Holy Spirit!