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Barnabas
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Boyd’s Bible Dictionary
:
(
son
of
comfort
).
Joseph
or
Joses
, a convert
of
Cyprus
, and companion of
Paul
(
Acts 4:36; 9:27; 11:25-26; 15:22-39
36
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, (Acts 4:36)
27
But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:27)
25
Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
26
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:25‑26)
22
Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
23
And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
24
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26
Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27
We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29
That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
30
So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
31
Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32
And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
33
And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
34
Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
35
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
36
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
37
And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
38
But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39
And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; (Acts 15:22‑39)
).
Concise Bible Dictionary
:
A
Levite
of
Cyprus
. His
name
was
JOSES
(or
Joseph
as in
some
manuscripts); but by
the
apostles he was surnamed Barnabas, “
son
of consolation” (rather “exhortation”). We first read of
him
as one who sold his land and laid the
money
at the apostles’ feet (
Acts 4:36-37
36
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37
Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 4:36‑37)
). When the disciples at
Jerusalem
were afraid of
Saul
, it was Barnabas who introduced him to the apostles (
Acts 9:26-27
26
And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
27
But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:26‑27)
). When the
Gentiles
were converted at
Antioch
it was Barnabas who was sent
there
from Jerusalem. He rejoiced in the reality of the
work
and exhorted them to cleave to the
Lord
; the
scripture
says he was “a good
man
, and full of the
Holy
Ghost
and of
faith
.” He then sought Saul and brought him to Antioch, where
they
labored a whole
year
. They then together visited Jerusalem
with
contributions from the saints (
Acts 11:22-30
22
Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
23
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
24
For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
25
Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
26
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
27
And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
28
And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
29
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea:
30
Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:22‑30)
). Antioch became a center, from whence
the
gospel
went forth to the Gentiles; it was there that the Holy Ghost said, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul
for
the work whereunto I
have
called them,” and from thence they started on
what
is called
Paul
’s first missionary journey (
Acts 13:2-4
2
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
4
So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. (Acts 13:2‑4)
).
On the question being raised as to the necessity of the Gentile disciples being circumcised, Paul and Barnabas (Paul being now mostly mentioned first) went
up to
Jerusalem
about
the subject (
Acts 15:1-41
1
And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2
When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
3
And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
4
And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
5
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
6
And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
7
And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8
And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9
And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10
Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11
But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
12
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
13
And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
14
Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15
And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16
After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17
That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
18
Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
19
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
20
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21
For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
22
Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
23
And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
24
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26
Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27
We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29
That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
30
So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
31
Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32
And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
33
And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
34
Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
35
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
36
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
37
And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
38
But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39
And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
40
And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
41
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. (Acts 15:1‑41)
). After
this
Paul proposed that they should visit again the
brethren
in the cities where they had preached. Barnabas insisted that they should
take
his
nephew
Mark
with them; but Paul objected, for Mark had previously left the work. Barnabas persisting in his desire, they parted, and he and Mark sailed to Cyprus, his own country. Thus were separated these two valuable servants of the Lord who had hazarded their lives for the name of
the Lord
Jesus
. We have no record of any further labors of Barnabas. Paul alludes to him as one who had been carried away by the dissimulation of
Peter
, otherwise he speaks of him affectionately (
1 Cor. 9:6
6
Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? (1 Corinthians 9:6)
;
Gal. 2:1,9,13
1
Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. (Galatians 2:1)
9
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. (Galatians 2:9)
13
And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. (Galatians 2:13)
).
BARNABAS,
EPISTLE
OF. There is an Epistle of 21 Chapters attributed to Barnabas.
Clement
of
Alexandria
treated it as genuine, and Origen called it a “catholic epistle;” but it is now commonly held that its
author
was not the companion of Paul. It was most probably written by a Gentile, for it is strongly opposed to Judaism; it has numerous inaccuracies as to the
Old
Testament
, and absurd interpretations of scripture, and contains
many
silly allusions to the writer’s superior
knowledge
. It was by Eusebius ranked among the spurious writings.
Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:
Number:
921
(
find all occurrences in KJV Bible
)
Greek:
Βαρνάβας
Transliteration:
Barnabas
Phonic:
bar-nab’-as
Meaning:
of Chaldee origin (
1247
and
5029
); son of Nabas (i.e. prophecy); Barnabas, an Israelite
KJV Usage:
Barnabas
Jackson’s
Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names
:
son of prophecy: son of consolation
Potts’
Bible Proper Names
:
Son of consolation; son of prophecy:―name given to Joses, a Levite, Acts 4:36. {Filius consolationis}