Biographical Study on Barnabas

1. Name: Joses or Joseph [Nickname: Barnabas meaning son of encouragement or son of prophecy]

2. Scripture References:

        Also called JOSES A prophet

• Acts 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

        An apostle

• Acts 14:14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

        A Levite who gave his possessions to be owned in common with other disciples

• Acts 4:36-37 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.

        Brings him to the apostles

• Acts 9:25-27 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. 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.

        Accompanies Paul to Jerusalem

• Acts 11:30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

        Returns with Paul to Antioch (of Syria)

• Acts 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

        Goes with Paul to Seleucia

• Acts 13 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 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. ...

        Goes with Paul to Iconium

• Acts 14:1-7 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. 3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. ...

        Called Jupiter (Zeus)

• Acts 14:12-18 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. 14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, 15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: ...

        Goes to Derbe

• Acts 14:20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

        Is sent as an emissary to Jerusalem

• Acts 15 And certain men which came down from Judaea 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. ...

• Galatians 2:1-9 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. 3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: 4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: ...

        Disaffected toward Paul

• Acts 15:36-39 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;

        Is reconciled to Paul

• 1 Corinthians 9:6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

        Piety of

• Acts 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

        Devotion of, to Jesus

• Acts 15:26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  

3. First Impression and Observations:

   Barnabas is overshadowed by Paul because Paul was more of a mouthpiece, but it feels like Barnabas had a strength in him and a devotion to people, being called Son of Encouragement, because Barnabas is really a nickname, his real name being Joses.  I think that the disagreement about John Mark is particularly intriguing because Barnabas is on the side of Grace, like he was for Paul upon Saul’s own conversion.  I need to look at it more to check if they prayed and sought the Holy Spirit in the controversy over John Mark like they did when they were sent out together, it is interesting if there was a non-parallel and that perhaps led to the disagreement.
   

4. Outline of Life:

1. Barnabas is born a Levite from Cyprus named Joses or Joseph.

2. Sells property and gives 100% to the apostles.

3. The apostles nickname him Barnabas which means son of encouragement.

4. Finds Paul and invites him to join the ministry.

5. Serves as an elder in the Syrian Antioch Church.

6. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

7. Obey’s the Holy Spirit when called to missions.

8. Reaches many NE Mediterranean cities with Paul.

9. Participates in the First Jerusalem Council.

10. Parts ways with Paul over disagreement on his cousin John Mark.

11. Reaches other cities with John Mark.

12. Reconciles with Paul who then reconciles with John Mark.
    

5. General Insights [Answers to Questions]:

   Was Barnabas an apostle? 

He was not one of the original 12 apostles but he was referred to as an apostle in Acts 14:14.  It is Church tradition that he was “First of the seventy disciples of our Lord.”  Paul was also not one of the twelve, but has been seen as an apostle ever since, because an apostle is essentially one who is called to plant churches and oversee them.

Why did God include Barnabas in the Bible?

-To show the importance of encouragement and prophecy[Barnabas can also be interpreted son of Prophecy].  

-He encouraged the 12 to accept Paul, then encouraged, trained, and mentored Paul for years, they were then the apostles to the gentiles and planted many churches, with many coming to Christ, writing half of the NT.

-To show that the apostolic gift is still alive after the 12, implying that it is still alive today.

-To show the reconciliation with John Mark, who then went on to write the Gospel of Mark.

Who wrote what we know about him?

Luke wrote most of what we know and Paul also included him in his letters saying that he was a good man and filled with the holy Spirit.

How did he treat other people? Did he use them, or serve them?

With the nickname son of encouragement and the stories about his life included in the bible, it seems like he was filled with Grace for people.  He worked with Paul for years, planted churches, dealt with conflict in those churches and had Grace for John Mark and came alongside him encouraging Him as well.  It seems like he had a servant heart through and through.

6. Character Qualities Defined

   Supportive: providing encouragement or emotional help.

Unselfish: willing to put the needs or wishes of others before one’s own.
Loyal: giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution.
Mature: reaching an advanced stage of mental and emotional development.
Humble: having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s own importance.
Bold: showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous.

7. Bible Truths Illustrated in Life:

   Be encouraging: 

Hebrews 10:24-25

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Strength:

Psalm 31:24

“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”

Supportive:

Romans 15:2

“Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.”

8. Summary of Lessons Learned from Life:

   -There are going to be many difficult times in life and encouragement for others is a great decision to make.  You could have a hand in the next Billy Graham, the next movement of God in your generation, or the coming to the Lord of thousands in the future.  You don’t know what your encouragement and coming alongside people will bring when it is done for the Lord and not for pride.

-Arguments between Christian leaders can have a great heavenly result even if, in the moment, they seem terrible.

-The apostolic gift is still alive and well.

9. Personal Application:

   I need to come alongside people and encourage them.  In our day, it is so easy to send an encouraging text and I don’t do it.  This week, I will send an encouraging text to a person in our church each day, prayerfully considering how I can better come alongside them.
   

10. Transferable Concepts:

    Have you ever read in the Bible about Joseph the Levite from Cyprus? Well he is the one who believed in Paul when Paul wanted to become a Christian.  Joseph had the nickname Barnabas which meant son of encouragement and he encouraged the 12 apostles to accept Paul.  He then spent years encouraging Paul to become the apostle to the Gentiles that he became and encouraged every church they planted together.  Later on when Paul and Barnabas disagreed over John Mark, Barnabas came alongside John Mark and encouraged him for years of ministry until he became the Mark who wrote one of the Gospels.  This Joseph, a levite from Cyprus, through encouragement, influenced half the writing of the New Testament.