[BAR nuh bus] (son of encouragement)-- an apostle in the early church and Paul's companion on his first missionary journey . A LEVITE from the island of Cyprus, Barnabas' given name was Joseph, or Joses . When he became a Christian, he sold his land and gave the money to the Jerusalem apostles .

Early in the history of the church, Barnabas went to Antioch to check on the growth of this early group of Christians. Then he journeyed to Tarsus and brought Saul (as PAUL was still called) back to minister with him to the Christians in Antioch . 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 .

Because of his good reputation, Barnabas was able to calm the fear of Saul among the Christians in Jerusalem . He and Saul also brought money from Antioch to the Jerusalem church when it was suffering a great famine . Shortly thereafter, the Holy Spirit led the Antioch church to commission Barnabas and Paul, along with John Mark, Barnabas' cousin, to make a missionary journey to Cyprus and the provinces of Asia Minor.

A rift eventually developed between Barnabas and Paul over John Mark . Barnabas wanted to take John Mark on their second missionary journey. Paul, however, felt John Mark should stay behind because he had left the first mission at Cyprus . Paul and Barnabas went their separate ways, and Barnabas took John Mark with him on a second mission to Cyprus. Paul and Silas traveled through Syria and Cilicia .

(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

(Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)