Barnabas: Son of consolation, the surname of Joses, a Levite
(Acts 4:36) His name
stands first on the list of prophets and teachers of the church at
Antioch
(Acts 13:1) Luke speaks of him as a "good man"
(Acts 11:24) He was
born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Levi. He was a native of
Cyprus, where he had a possession of land
(Acts 4:36,37) which he sold.
His personal appearance is supposed to have been dignified and
commanding
(Acts 14:11,12) When Paul returned to Jerusalem after his
conversion, Barnabas took him and introduced him to the apostles
(Acts 9:27) They had probably been companions as students in the
school of Gamaliel. The prosperity of the church at Antioch led the
apostles and brethren at Jerusalem to send Barnabas thither to
superintend the movement. He found the work so extensive and weighty
that he went to Tarsus in search of Saul to assist him. Saul returned
with him to Antioch and laboured with him for a whole year
(Acts 11:25,26) The two were at the end of this period sent up to
Jerusalem with the contributions the church at Antioch had made for
the poorer brethren there
(Acts 11:28-30) Shortly after they returned,
bringing John Mark with them, they were appointed as missionaries to
the heathen world, and in this capacity visited Cyprus and some of
the principal cities of Asia Minor
(Acts 13:14) Returning from this
first missionary journey to Antioch, they were again sent up to
Jerusalem to consult with the church there regarding the relation of
Gentiles to the church
(Acts 15:2; Galatians 2:1) This matter having been
settled, they returned again to Antioch, bringing the decree of the
council as the rule by which Gentiles were to be admitted into the
church. When about to set forth on a second missionary journey, a
dispute arose between Saul and Barnabas as to the propriety of taking
John Mark with them again. The dispute ended by Saul and Barnabas
taking separate routes. Saul took Silas as his companion, and
journeyed through Syria and Cilicia; while Barnabas took his nephew
John Mark, and visited Cyprus
(Acts 15:36-41) Barnabas is not again
mentioned by Luke in the Acts.
