Barnabas
Barnabas (born Joseph or Joses, was a prominent Christian disciple, identified as an apostle in Acts 14:14. According to Acts 4:36, he was a Cypriot Levite. He undertook missionary journeys as a companion of Paul the Apostle, evangelizing among the "God-fearing" Gentiles who attended synagogues in some of the Hellenized cities of Anatolia. He participated in the Council of Jerusalem (c. 49 AD).
Quotes about
[edit]- James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
- Epistle to the Galatians 2:9 NKJV.
- And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
- Acts 4:36-37 NKJV.
- And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
- Acts 9:26-27 NKJV.
- But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out
- Acts 14:14 NKJV.
- Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
- Acts 11:25-26 NKJV.
- Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
- Acts 13:1-3 NKJV.
Others
[edit]- This separation [of Paul from Barnabas], rather than being scandalous, can, on the contrary, serve as a great edification for us... Would that all separations were of this kind and had no other end than the glory of God and the salvation of the faithful!
- John Chrysostom, as quoted in San Paolo per ogni giorno dell'anno (in Italian), foreword of M. Alberione, Pia Società San Paolo, 1942.
