Les Feldick Bible Study

What did Barnabas exhort the new Gentile believers to do?

Barnabas exhorted the new Gentile believers at Antioch to cleave or maintain their spiritual position with purpose of heart. He encouraged them to remain steadfast, having seen God's grace at work among them. These Gentiles had come out of immoral idolatry, yet God saved them by His grace, and Barnabas rejoiced.

Les explains that when Barnabas saw the grace of God at work in these new Gentile believers who had come out of immoral idolatry, he was glad. He exhorted them all with purpose of heart to cleave or maintain their spiritual position. Les points out that Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and that much people were added unto the Lord at Antioch. The emphasis is on God's grace, which is greater than any person's sin, and Barnabas encouraged them to hold fast to that position.