When a person introduces a speaker to an audience, the goal is to prepare the audience for what the speaker is expected to say. The person giving the introduction usually mentions why the topic is important to the audience, but most importantly, he or she seeks to establish the speaker’s expertise to deal with that topic. After Saul of Tarsus turned from persecuting the church to preaching the Good News, Christians in Jerusalem were skeptical of his conversion. When he tried to meet with the believers, they were all afraid of him. Then we read in Acts chapter 9 that Barnabas stepped in to introduce him. He told the apostles how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to him. He also told them that Saul had even “preached boldly in the name of Jesus” in Damascus. The Apostles listened to Barnabas and accepted Saul because of Barnabas’ character. Luke would later describe him as an encourager, a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. God wants each of us to live with integrity so when we speak people can trust what we say.
