Highlights
a. Barnabas given name was Joses or Joseph (Acts 4:36) but later changed by the apostles (“BAR nuh bus” meaning son of encouragement or consolation). He was an apostle.

b. A Levite (Acts 4:36); a native of Cyprus, where he had a possession of land (Acts 4:36, 37), which he sold for the use of all.

c. Because of his good reputation, Barnabas was able to calm the fear of Saul among the Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 9:27). (They had probably been companions as students in the school of Gamaliel). At this point Barnabas apparently was the leader of the church at Antioch, because his name is repeatedly mentioned before Paul’s in the Book of Acts. But after Saul’s name was changed to Paul, his name is always mentioned after Paul’s (Acts
13:43).

d.  Luke speaks of him as a “good man” (Acts 11:24). Laboured for the Lord Act 15:26;

e.   Paul’s companion (with John Mark) on his first missionary journey (Acts 11:19-26; 13:1--15:41). Returning from this first missionary journey to Antioch, they were again sent up to Jerusalem to consult with the church there regarding the relation of Gentiles to the church (Acts 15:2: Gal. 2:1). This matter having been settled, they returned again to Antioch, bringing the decree of the council as the rule by which Gentiles were to be admitted into the church.

f.  His name stands first on the list of prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch (13:1).

g.  His personal appearance is supposed to have been dignified and commanding (Acts 14:11,
12).

h.  When Paul returned to Jerusalem after his conversion, Barnabas took him and introduced him to the apostles (9:27). They had probably been companions as students in the school of Gamaliel.

i.  Trusted with money: In the company of Paul, sent up to Jerusalem with the contributions the church at Antioch had made for the poorer brethren there (11:28-30)

Lowlights:
- Dispute with Paul, during second missionary journey, as to the propriety of taking John Mark, his cousin (Col 4:10) with them again. (Acts 15:36-41). Barnabas is not again mentioned by Luke in the Acts.
- Led astray by some other Jews (Gal 2:13)
Review questions:
1. Did Barnabas live up to his name? Support your answer with examples from the Scriptures.Gal 6:1
2. Are there examples in the live of Barnabas for us to follow?
3. Can you comment on how the Bible reported Barnabas’ cowardly act in Gal 2:13
4 Was the ~ Barnabas a Paul wrong? Rom 8:28
5. Did Barnabas and John Mark eventually reconcile wih Paul after their dispute? Support your answer with Scriptures. Any lesson for us to learn? 2 Tim 4:11, Phil 1:24, Mat 18:15-17, Jn 13:35, Heb 12:15, 1 Cor 9:6, Rom 12:8
6. What do you learn from Barnabas’ action when he was called Zeus by the public? ~