The Faith of Barnabas

Early in the book of Acts we see that the Saints began to have all things in common.  We read, “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”  Luke then gave two examples of those who turned over their possessions, and the examples were likely meant to show two extremes: one who gave an enormous amount and a couple who not give all that they had.  That latter couple was Ananias and Sapphira who both died because they held back part of their possessions from the Lord.  The single positive example that he gave was of Barnabas, “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, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:34-36).  He was from Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean, so it was not a short distance that he came to give all of his money to the apostles.  We don’t have an indication of the quantity of money that selling this land brought in, but it seems that it was significant.  The story was meant to show the incredible sacrifice and faith of this man who would be an important figure in the rest of the book of Acts.

               We see the powerful faith of Barnabas again in the story of Paul’s conversion.  After Saul was converted in Damascus and escaped from the Jews who sought to kill him, he returned to Jerusalem.  But, understandably, many of the Christians there were leery of him.  We read, “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.”  But Barnabas, perhaps inspired by the Spirit, did not fear Saul: “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).  It was perhaps this initial acceptance by Barnabas that led to their joining as missionaries.  We rightfully laud the missionary labors of Paul, and Barnabas was for many years his companion and deserves recognition as well as a tireless servant of the Lord.  We read that “then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 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.”  The Saints there then “sent relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea” by the “hands of Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 11:25-26,30).  After this “Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark” and they were back in Antioch (Acts 12:25). 

                 Barnabas and Paul seemed inseparable as missionary companions in these early years of the Church.  It was from Antioch that they embarked on what is considered Paul’s first missionary journey: “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” (Acts 13:2).  Acts 13-14 covers this first mission in which Paul and Barnabas went from Antioch to Cyprus and then taught in Pamphylia, Psidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and other places.  They were powerful missionaries, so much so that in one place they were even hailed as gods: “And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius” (Acts 14:12).  They eventually returned to Antioch and summarized their missionary labors when “they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27).  Barnabas was a key part of that opening of the door of faith to the Gentiles, and we should remember him alongside Paul as a man of great faith in the early Church.