Joses, Who by the Apostles Was Surnamed Barnabas

2024-01-19

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)

Joses, whom the apostles called Barnabas, was a man used mightily by God. He was “The son of consolation” because he was an encouragement to many. He was described as “a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith” (Acts 11:24).

Barnabas started his faith journey by selling his land for distribution to the saints in Jerusalem. Being a Levite, his tribe did not have land inheritance in the Old Testament. After being saved, he gave up what land he had for others. He was from Cyprus. When all were afraid of the newly converted apostle Saul (Paul), Barnabas was the one who brought him to the other apostles where he could offer his testimony.

Barnabas was also sent to the newly thriving church in Antioch to encourage them. He exhorted them to seek the Lord, and many were saved while he was there. Afterward, the encourager went to Saul’s hometown of Tarsus seeking the apostle to bring him to Antioch. He was one of many prophets and teachers that came to the Gentile church at that time. “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 11:26). The pair brought financial support to Jerusalem during a famine. When returning to Antioch, they brought with them John Mark, a relative of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10).

The prophets of Antioch, among whom were Barnabas and Saul, were led of the Spirit to send the two partners in ministry to the mission field. They began in Cyprus, Barnabas’ native land, and went to Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, and Lycaonia, and then returning to Antioch.

Barnabas went up to the Jerusalem council with Paul, where they testified of their ministry among the Gentiles. They then returned to Antioch, thinking they would go back and visit those who were converted by their ministry. They became divided over bringing John Mark with them again, as he had abandoned them early on in their previous travels. Barnabas wanted to give him another chance, while Paul did not want to. Perhaps John Mark being a relative to Barnabas was a contributing factor, or it could be that Barnabas wanted to be an encouragement. Whatever the reason, they could not reconcile, and Barnabas and Paul went their separate ways: Barnabas with John Mark and Paul with Silas, a chief man among the brothers in Judea, whom they met during the council. We do not see Barnabas again in the book of Acts after their schism.

Barnabas was an encouragement to Paul when nobody would accept him and again when he went his own way to Tarsus. He also was an encouragement to John Mark after his failure to continue with them. He was willing to take a chance on him again. He had a heart for people who were not included and wanted to include them. This is one thing we can take away from this son of consolation.