Referenced in the Bible:

Acts 4:36, ix:27, 11:22-thirty, 12:25, 13:1-vii, 42-50, 14:1-3, 12-23, 15:2, 12, 22, 25, 35-39;

1 Corinthians nine:6;

Galatians ii:1, 9, 13;

Colossians 4:10.

Key Verse:

Acts nine:27
But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. (NIV)

Acts 13:2
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the piece of work to which I have called them." (NIV)

Introduction: [1] http://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentpeople/fl/Barnabas.htm (PastJack Zavada).

Barnabas – Missionary and Companion of Paul, Cousin of John Mark.

Barnabas was 1 of those apprehensive early Christians who played a vital role in the church building's growth simply by stepping out in faith.

His real proper name was Joseph, born into the Hebrew tribe of Levi, the group responsible for serving in the temple.  The book of Acts tells us he was from Cyprus, an island in the eastern Mediterranean Ocean.

The apostles called him Barnabas, which means "son of encouragement."  No dubiety he earned that title by edifice up the members of the struggling immature church.  His beginning act of stepping out was to sell a field he owned and put the coin at the feet of the apostles in Jerusalem.

His second act of organized religion is hardly noticed, yet it had such a profound effect on Christianity that information technology is still felt today.  Paul had been preaching in Damascus, and his ministry was so powerful in that location that the Jews conspired to kill him.  He managed to escape just when his friends lowered him in a basket from the city wall.

When Paul fled to Jerusalem, the apostles were afraid to meet with him.

Before his conversion, Paul had persecuted the church, dragging men and women off to prison house.  But Barnabas sought him out, heard his story, and introduced him to the disciples.  Gradually they accustomed Paul, who became ane of the most tremendous missionaries of all fourth dimension, taking the gospel to the Gentiles and all the way to Rome.

Barnabas's great religion wasn't simply in Paul, though.  He was a cousin of John Mark, who accompanied both of them on Paul'southward beginning missionary journeying to Cyprus.  When they sailed for Perga, John Marker left them.  The reason is not stated in Scripture.

When it came time for Paul's second missionary trip, Barnabas wanted to take Mark, just Paul would not because he had deserted them earlier.  The disagreement became so bitter that Paul went one management with Silas while Barnabas fix out for Republic of cyprus with Mark.  Through Barnabas'south religion in Mark, the unintended result was 2 missionary teams instead of one.  Afterward, Paul reconciled non only with Barnabas only with Marking every bit well.

Accomplishments:

Indirectly, Barnabas made possible Paul'due south missionary trips and epistles and the gospel of Mark, written by John Marking.  He strengthened the early on church building and helped spread the practiced news to Gentiles.

Strengths:

Barnabas was an encourager.  His religion held stiff despite persecution.  He bolstered weaker disciples, and as a missionary, he was a clear, zealous preacher of the Give-and-take.

Weaknesses:

He was "led astray," co-ordinate to Paul, by Peter and a group of former Pharisees who believed Gentiles had to exist circumcised to become members of the church.

Life Lessons:

We never know how our small acts of faith will benefit others.  Barnabas was a truthful believer in Jesus Christ and boldly centered his whole life on that belief.  Just like him, we tin step out and the ripple effect of our actions tin can have long-lasting impact.

Occupation:

Missionary, teacher.

ii.0 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [two] H. Eastward. Jacobshttp://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/barnabas.html

BARNABAS

bar'-na-bas (Barnabas, "son of exhortation," or perhaps "son of Nebo"):

This name was applied to the acquaintance of Paul, who was originally called Joses or Joseph (Acts iv:36), as a testimony to his eloquence.

Its literal meaning is "son of prophecy" (bar, "son"; nebhu'ah, "prophecy"). Compare word for prophet in Genesis 20:7; Deuteronomy 18:fifteen,18, etc. This is interpreted in Acts 4:36 as "son of exhortation" the Revised Version (British and American), or "son of consolation" the King James Version, expressing two sides of the Greek paraklesis, that are not exclusive.

The role of a prophet existence more to foretell, all these interpretations are admissible in estimating Barnabas equally a preacher. Deismann (Bibelstudien, 175-78) considers Barnabas the Jewish Grecized form of Barnebous, a personal Semitic name recently discovered in Asia Minor inscriptions, and meaning "son of Nebo" (Standard Bible Lexicon in the place cited.).

He was a Levite from the island of Cyprus, and cousin, not "nephew" (the Male monarch James Version), of the evangelist Marker, the word anepsios (Colossians 4:10), existence used in Numbers 36:11, for "father's brothers' sons."

When nosotros first learn of him, he had removed to Jerusalem, and acquired property in that location. He sold "a field," and contributed its price to the support of the poorer members of the church building (Acts 4:36).

In Acts 11:24 he is described equally "a practiced man and full of the Holy Spirit" (compare Isaiah eleven:2; 1 Corinthians 12:viii,11) "and of organized religion," traits that gave him influence and leadership.

Possibly on the footing of former acquaintanceship, interceding as Paul's sponsor and surety, he removed the distrust of the disciples at Jerusalem and secured the admission of the former persecutor into their fellowship.

When the preaching of some of the countrymen of Barnabas had begun a movement toward Christianity among the Greeks at Antioch, Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem to give information technology encouragement and direction, and, subsequently a personal visit, recognizing its importance and needs, sought out Paul at Tarsus, and brought him back as his associate.

At the close of a year'due south successful work, Barnabas and Paul were sent to Jerusalem with contributions from the infant church for the famine sufferers in the older congregation (Acts xi:30). Ordained as missionaries on their return (Acts 13:3), and accompanied past John Marker, they proceeded upon what is commonly known as the "First Missionary Journey" of Paul (Acts 13:four,5).

Its history belongs to Paul's life. Barnabas as well every bit Paul is designated "an apostle" (Acts fourteen:14). Upward to Acts 13:43, the presidency is constantly ascribed to Barnabas; from that point, except in 14:14 and 15:12,25, we read "Paul and Barnabas," instead of "Barnabas and Saul."

The latter becomes the primary spokesman. The people at Lystra named Paul, because of his fervid oratory, Mercurius, while the placidity nobility and reserved strength of Barnabas gave him the championship of Jupiter (Acts 14:12). Barnabas escaped the violence which Paul suffered at Iconium (Acts xiv:19).

Upon their return from this first missionary tour, they were sent, with other representatives of the church at Antioch, to confer with the apostles and elders of the church at Jerusalem apropos the obligation of circumcision and the ceremonial law in general under the New Attestation–the synod of Jerusalem.

A separation from Paul seems to brainstorm with a temporary yielding of Barnabas in favor of the inconsistent form of Peter (Galatians 2:xiii).

This was followed past a more serious rupture apropos Marking.

On the second journey, Paul proceeded alone, while Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus.

Luther and Calvin regard ii Corinthians eight:18,19 as meaning Barnabas past "the blood brother whose praise is spread through all the churches," and indicating, therefore, subsequent articulation work. The incidental allusions in 1 Corinthians 9:6 and Galatians 2:13 ("fifty-fifty Barnabas") prove at whatsoever rate Paul's continued appreciation of his former associate. Like Paul, he accustomed no support from those to whom he ministered.

Tertullian, followed in contempo years by Grau and Zahn, regard him as the writer of the Epistle to the He. The document published amid patristic writings equally the Epistle of Barnabas, and found in total in the Codex Sinaiticus, is universally assigned today to a later menstruation. "The writer nowhere claims to be the campaigner Barnabas; possibly its author was some unknown namesake of 'the son of consolation' " (Lightfoot, Apostolic Fathers, 239 f).

3.0 What should we larn from the life of Barnabas? [3] http://www.gotquestions.org/life-Barnabas.html

In the book of Acts, nosotros find a Levite from Republic of cyprus named Joses (Acts four:36), whom the apostles called Barnabas. That nickname, translated "Son of Encouragement" (Acts 4:36-37) or "Son of Exhortation" was probably given to him because of his inclination to serve others (Acts 4:36-37, nine:27) and his willingness to do whatever church leaders needed (Acts 11:25-31). He is referred to every bit a "good man, full of the Holy Spirit and religion." Through his ministry, "a nifty number of people were brought to the Lord" (Acts 11:24). Paul uses Barnabas as an example of one with a proper perspective on money and property. When he sold his state, he brought the gain to the apostles and laid it at their feet (Acts 4:36-37).

As the early on church building began to grow, in spite of Herod'southward persecution, Barnabas was chosen by the Holy Spirit to get with Paul on a missionary journey. Barnabas' cousin, John Mark, served him and Paul equally their assistant (Acts xiii:5). During that outset missions trip, for an unspecified reason, John Mark left them and did non complete the journeying (Acts 13:xiii). However, Barnabas continued with Paul and was with him when Paul'due south ministry was redirected to reaching the Gentiles with the gospel (Acts 13:42-52). The only negative mention of Barnabas in Scripture is in reference to an incident in which Peter's hypocrisy influenced other Jews (including Barnabas) to shun some Gentiles at dinner (Galatians 2:13).

After that first trip, Paul and Barnabas began planning their adjacent journeying. Barnabas wanted to accept his cousin, simply Paul refused, and a rift grew betwixt them to the point that they parted company (Acts 15:36-41). Barnabas, true to his nickname, took John Mark and spent fourth dimension discipling him. That ministry was so constructive that, years afterward, Paul specifically asked for John Mark to come to him, every bit Marking had matured to the bespeak of becoming helpful to Paul in his ministry (two Timothy 4:11).

Similar Barnabas, as Christians we are called to be encouragers, particularly of those who are weak in the faith or struggling. Acts 11:23 depicts Barnabas equally a homo who was delighted to encounter others exhibiting the grace of God in their lives, exhorting and encouraging them to remain faithful. In the same fashion, nosotros should expect for opportunities to praise those who bring glory and accolade to God through lives that reverberate their faith. In addition, Barnabas is an example of a generous spirit when it comes to giving sacrificially to the work of the Lord.

4.0 What should we learn from the account of Paul and Barnabas? [iv] http://www.gotquestions.org/Paul-and-Barnabas.html

Paul and Barnabas traveled together through the island of Cyprus and the province of Asia (mod Asia Minor) preaching the gospel in the first missionary journey (Acts 13). The proper name Barnabas means "son of encouragement," and encouragement was his first part in Paul's life. When the newly converted Saul/Paul came to the Christians at Jerusalem, they were afraid of him. Simply Barnabas built a bridge between Saul and the other Christians, vouching for the reality of his faith and ministry building (Acts ix:26–27).

After, news reached Jerusalem of a burgeoning church in Syrian Antioch, and Barnabas was sent to encourage the believers there (Acts 11:22). Many people began coming to the Lord and joining the church, and then Barnabas sought out Paul and, finding him, brought him to Antioch. The biblical account calls Barnabas "a practiced homo, full of the Holy Spirit and faith" (Acts 11:24). While Paul and Barnabas were yet in Antioch, a prophet named Agabus foretold a famine, and the church building determined to ship relief to the brothers living in Judea (verses 27–29). They sent Paul and Barnabas to deliver the gift (poetry 30).

After that, the Holy Spirit chose Paul and Barnabas to be missionaries (Acts 13:2), and the church of Antioch sent them off. Paul and Barnabas took John Marker along as a helper and traveled through many Gentile areas with the gospel. They were "men who . . . risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 15:25). Halfway through their journey, Marker left Paul and Barnabas, and this became a bespeak of contention later on. As they planned a 2d missionary journeying, Paul and Barnabas disagreed on whether or not to take Mark once more. Paul was determined not to bring him, due to his forsaking them previously. Barnabas, ever the encourager, was unwilling to go out John Marker behind. A "sharp disagreement" arose between them, and they parted ways. From that point on, Barnabas traveled with John Mark, and Paul chose Silas every bit his companion in ministry building (Acts xv:36–41).

From the relationship of Paul and Barnabas we tin draw an of import lesson. Here were two godly men, loved by the churches, filled with the Spirit, enduring persecution together, seeing people saved, and enjoying an effective ministry building. Withal they were fallible and did not come across eye to eye on everything. They quarreled and parted means. Even the all-time and almost faithful among us are prone to the interpersonal conflicts and mistakes. We are all fallen human beings. The ministries of both men continued—in fact, the number of missionary teams doubled! God can utilize fifty-fifty our disagreements to further His work.

Paul and Barnabas continued to depend on God. They moved frontwards peacefully, even though it meant parting ways. In matters of personal opinion and practical procedure, Paul and Barnabas differed. In matters of doctrine, they both saw the necessity of sharing the gospel with the earth. They were united in what is truly important.

genealogy-150-150

Aunt – Mary, mother of John Marker
Cousin – John Mark (Marking)

SOURCES

1.0) Source: http://christianity.virtually.com/od/newtestamentpeople/fl/Barnabas.htm (By Jack Zavada)

2.0) Source: http://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/barnabas.html

3.0) Source: http://www.gotquestions.org/life-Barnabas.html

4.0) Source: http://www.gotquestions.org/Paul-and-Barnabas.html

5.0) Source: bibleresources.americanbible.org | Tittle: "A Guide to Key Events, Characters and Themes of the Bible"

Related: Biblical Overviews Listing of Key Old Testament Characters