Barnabas

Barnabas
Paul and Barnabas of Cyprus Chosen as Apostles by the Holy Spirit, Ambrosius Francken, 17th century
Period	Apostolic Age
Family	Nephew: Mark (John Mark)
Birthplace	Cyprus (Kubros in Greek)
Occupation(Features)	Apostle, Teacher at the Church in Antioch
Activity area	Antioch, Pisidia, Cyprus
Major achievements	Introduced Apostle Paul to the disciples Guided the members of the Church in Antioch Accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey

Barnabas (Greek: Βαρνάβας) was an apostle who served as a teacher in the Church at Antioch. Although he was not among the twelve disciples personally chosen by Jesus, he devoted himself to the spread of the gospel in the early Church and was recognized as an apostle.

Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus (Greek: Κύπρος), and his given name was Joseph. The apostles gave him the name Barnabas, meaning “Son of Encouragement.”

Historical Background

After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the apostles received the early rain of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and began preaching the gospel of the new covenant throughout Samaria, Palestine, and the Roman Empire. As they witnessed the extraordinary work of the Holy Spirit, they rejoiced daily, yet faced many challenges. The rapid growth of believers created an urgent need for leaders to guide the new converts, but there were few available workers.

At the same time, the spread of the gospel provoked intensified persecution from political authorities and Jewish people. The apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin, beaten, and imprisoned, and Apostle James became the first to be martyred. The Church also faced internal challenges, including confusion and economic difficulties. Nevertheless, the early Christians overcame these trials by sharing their possessions, claiming nothing as their own, and remaining united in heart and mind through their faith in Christ.

Ministry of Barnabas

The ministry of Barnabas, as recorded in the book of Acts, begins with his notable act of selling his land and offering the proceeds to support those in need. Much of his subsequent ministry is closely connected with Apostle Paul.

Major achievements	Verses
Introduced Paul to the Church	Acts 9:26–28
Provided leadership at the Church in Antioch	Acts 11:22–26
Accompanied Paul on the First Missionary Journey	Acts 13-14
Traveled to Cyprus With Mark	Acts 15:36–41

Introduced Paul to the Church

Before accepting Christ, Paul had severely persecuted the Church of God. As a result, even after his conversion by God’s calling, the believers in Jerusalem remained fearful and skeptical of him.
At a time when unity in preaching the gospel was crucial, Paul continued to face suspicion. Barnabas intervened, recounting to the disciples the circumstances of Paul’s conversion and his fervent preaching afterward. Through Barnabas’s advocacy, Paul was ultimately accepted as a fellow believer.

Shepherding the Church in Antioch

Paul and Barnabas Preaching in Front of the Temple, Louis Fabricius Dubourg, 18th century

Following the martyrdom of Stephen, believers were scattered to regions such as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, where they preached the new covenant to the Jews. When the gospel was preached to the Greeks in Antioch, a great number of people became Christians. Upon hearing this, the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch to guide the growing congregation. The evangelist Luke praised Barnabas as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.”

As the number of believers in Antioch continued to increase, the need for additional workers became pressing. Barnabas traveled to Tarsus to bring Paul back to Antioch, and together they taught large crowds for a year, nurturing and strengthening the faith of the disciples.

During this period, the prophet Agabus, through the Holy Spirit, prophesied that “a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world”—a prophecy fulfilled during the reign of Claudius. In response, the Church in Antioch resolved to send relief to the believers in Jerusalem. Barnabas and Paul were entrusted with delivering this aid. After completing their mission, Barnabas returned to Antioch, bringing with him his nephew Mark (John Mark), who had been in Jerusalem.

Missionary Journeys

The first missionary journey with Paul

While the prophets and teachers of the Church in Antioch were gathered in prayer and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” In obedience to this command, Barnabas set out with Paul on the first missionary journey, led by the Holy Spirit.

• Companion on Paul’s First Missionary Journey

Joining them on this journey was Barnabas’s nephew, Mark, who served as their assistant. Departing from Antioch, Barnabas and Paul sailed from the port of Seleucia to Salamis in Cyprus, where they preached the gospel. From there, they traveled to Paphos and then crossed by sea to Perga in Pamphylia, where Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas then moved on to Pisidian Antioch, where nearly the entire city gathered to hear the word of God. Many Gentiles believed and rejoiced, but jealous Jews incited the city’s leaders, resulting in the expulsion of Barnabas and Paul from the region. Nevertheless, they continued preaching in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, where many more received the gospel.

After completing their journey, they returned to Antioch. There, they confronted individuals who claimed that Gentile believers must be circumcised according to the Law of Moses. To resolve the issue, Barnabas and Paul traveled to Jerusalem to consult the apostles and elders. They returned with guidance confirmed by the Holy Spirit, settling the matter within the Church.

• Journey to Cyprus With Mark

Some time later, Paul proposed another missionary journey. Barnabas wished to bring Mark, but Paul opposed this, remembering that Mark had deserted them during their first mission. Their disagreement led to a separation: Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas and traveled through Syria and Cilicia.

Although Barnabas is not mentioned again in the book of Acts after that, Paul’s letter to the Galatians indicates that the two apostles later reconciled and renewed their partnership in the gospel. References in Colossians and 2 Timothy further suggest that Paul eventually restored his trust in Mark. These accounts imply that Barnabas’s influence helped shape Mark into a valuable and trusted coworker in the ministry.

Lesson

Barnabas was an apostle filled with the word of God and the Holy Spirit, dedicating himself with zeal to the work of the gospel. He not only supported fellow believers with his personal resources but also devoted himself wholeheartedly to preaching the word of God.

Known for his gentleness and kindness, Barnabas played a crucial role in helping Paul establish fellowship with the believers in Jerusalem. He accompanied Paul on missionary journeys and was instrumental in his growth as the apostle to the Gentiles. He also did not condemn his nephew Mark for his earlier failings but embraced and nurtured him until he matured into a valuable coworker in the gospel. Through these deeds, Barnabas became a model of faith for the disciples and apostles, earning their deep trust and respect.

By steadfastly keeping his faith, diligently guiding souls, and faithfully tending the flock entrusted to him by God, Barnabas exemplified the life of faith that all who have received the Savior should follow.

See also

• Paul
• Apostle
• Book of Acts
• Paul’s Epistles