When Paul made his first appearance in Jerusalem after his conversion, Barnabas introduced him to the apostles, and attested his sincerity (Acts ix, 27). A.D. 30. This fact lends some support to an ancient tradi- tion (Theodor. Lector, Hist. Eccl. ii, 557, ed. Vales.) that they had studied together in the school of Gama- liel ; that Barnabas had often attempted to bring his companion over to the Christian faith, but hitherto in vain ; that, meeting with him at this time in Jerusa- lem, not aware of what had occurred at Damascus, he once more renewed his efforts, when Paul threw him- self weeping at his feet, informed him of " the heaven- ly vision," and of the happy transformation of the persecutor and blasphemer into the obedient and zeal- ous disciple (Acts xxvi, 16). Though the conversion of Cornelius and his household, with its attendant cir- cumstances, had given the Jewish Christians clearer views of the comprehensive character of the new dis- pensation, yet the accession of a large number of Gen- tiles to the Church at Antioch was an event so extra- ordinary that the apostles and brethren at Jerusalem resolved on deputing one of their number to investi- gate it. Their choice was fixed on Barnabas. After witnessing the flourishing condition of the Church, and adding fresh converts by his personal exertions, he visited Tarsus to obtain the assistance of Saul, who returned with him to Antioch, where thej' labored for a whole year (Acts xi, 23-26). A.D. 34. In antici- pation of the famine predicted by Agabus, the Anti- ochian Christians made a contribution for their poorer brethren at Jerusalem, and sent it by the hands of Barnabas and Saul (Acts xi, 28-30), A.D. 44, who speedily returned, bringing with them John Mark, a nephew of the former. By divine direction (Acts xii, 2), they were separated to the office of missionaries, and as such visited Cyprus and some of the principal cities in Asia Minor (Acts xiii, 14). §oon after their return to Antioch, A.D. 45, the peace of the Church was disturbed by certain zealots from Judaea, who in- sisted on the observance of the rite of circumcision by the Gentile converts. To settle the controversy, Paul and Barnabas were deputed to consult the apostles and
BARNABAS
BARNABAS
elders at Jerusalem (Acts xv, 1, 2) ; they returned to communicate the result of their conference (ver. 22) accompanied by Judas Barsabas and Silas, or Silva- nus, A.D. 47. On preparing for a second missionar}' tour a dispute arose between them on account of John Mark, which ended in their taking different routes ; Paul and Silas went through Syria and Cilicia, while Barnabas and his nephew revisited his native island (Acts xv, 36-41). A.D. 47-51. In reference to this event, Chrysostom remarks, "What then ? Did they part as enemies ? Far from it. For you sec that after this Paul bestows in his Epistles many commendations on Bjrnabas." If we may judge from the hint fur- nished by the notice that Paul was commended by the brethren to the grace of God, it would seem that Bar- n.ibas was in the wrong. At this point Barnabas dis- appeai's from Luke's narrative, which to its close is occupied solely with the labors and sufferings of Paul. From the Epistles of the latter a few hints (the only authentic sources of information) may be gleaned rel- ative to his early friend and associate. From 1 Cor. ix, 5, 6, it would appear that Barnabas was unmarried, and supported himself, like Paul, by some manual oc- cupation. In Gal. ii, 1, we have an account of the re- ception given to Paul and Barnabas by the apostles at Jerusalem, probably on the occasion mentioned in Acts xv. In the same chapter (ver. 13) we are- informed that Barnabas so far yielded to the Judiizing zealots at Antioch as to separate himself for a time from com- munion with the Gentile converts. This event took place about A.D. 47. See Paul. It has been infer- red from 2 Cor. viii, 18, 10; that Barnabas was not only reconciled to Paul after their separation (Acts xv, 39), but also became again his coadjutor; that ho was "the brother whose praise was in the Gospel through all the churches." Chrysostom says that some suppose the brother was Luke, and others Bar- nabas. Theodoret asserts that it was Barnabas, and appeals to Acts xiii, 3, which rather serves to disprove his assertion, for it ascribes the appointment of Paul and Barnabas to an express divine injunction, and not to an elective act of the Church; and, besides, the brother alluded to was chosen, not by a single church, but by several cliMtches, to travel with Paul (2 Cor. viii, 19). In Coloss. iv, 10, and Philemon, ver. 24, Paul mentions Mark as his fellow-laborer; and at a still later period, 2 Tim. iv, 11, he refers with strong approbation to his services, and requests Timothy to brin ;■ him to Rome; but of Barnabas (his relationship to Mirk excepted) nothing is said. The most proba- ble inference is that he was already dead, and that Mark had subsequently associated himself with Paul. Barnabas seems not to have possessed Paul's thorough- ness of purpose.
For the latter years of Barnabas we have no better guides than the Acta et Passio Barnabas in Cupro (first complete edition, from a Paris codex of the 9th cent., in Tischendorf's Acta. Apostolorum Apocrypha, Lpz. 1841), a forgery in the name of John Mark, and, from the ac- quaintance it discovers with the localities of Cyprus, probably written by a resident in that island ; and the legends of Alcxandei-, a Cyprian monk, and of Theo- dore, commonly called Lector (that is, an avayvioari'tc, or reader), of Constantinople ; the two latter belong to the sixth century. According to Alexander, Barnabas, after taking leave of Paul, landed in Cyprus, passed through the whole island, converted numbers to the Christian faith, and at last arrived at Salamis, where he preached in the synagogue with great success. Thither he was followed by some Jews from Syria (the author of the Acta names Bar-jesus as their leader), who stirred up the people against him. Barnabas, in anticipation of bis approaching end, celebrated the Eu- charist with his brethren, and bade them farewell. He give his nephew directions respecting his interment, and charged him to go after his decease to the apostle Paul. He then entered the synagogue, and began as