Read: Acts 9:26-31 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. (v. 27) I once knew someone whose earlier days were full of embarrassing drunken displays and obscenities. Then one day I heard that this man had become a pastor. My response was disbelief. Yet, according to reliable reports, he is now serving the Lord and winning people for Christ. The apostles in Jerusalem faced a similar reaction to Saul. After being in Damascus for a time, this former persecutor travelled to Jerusalem and attempted to join the disciples. It didn’t go well. They were afraid of him. Who can blame them? But then a man named Barnabas stepped forward and spoke up on Saul’s behalf. Where would Saul have been without Barnabas? Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement,” was indeed a great encouragement