Joseph, who was also called Barnabas

“Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), owned a tract of land. So he sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” (1) Barnabas appears as an example of someone who practiced charity. This was to make a comparison with Ananias and Sapphira (in Acts 5). (2) Who was Barnabas? (a) He was a Jew born in Cyprus and a Levite (a member of the tribe of Levi). Although a Diaspora Jew, he was living in Jerusalem at the time. (b) His real name was Joseph. (c) His nickname was “Son of Encouragement.” The word “son” is used to describe a person’s nature. (d) According to records by Eusebius, who was a church father and historian, Barnabas was one of the seventy disciples sent out by Jesus (Luke 10). (e) Barnabas’ cousin (or nephew) was Mark (Col. 4:10). (3) He sold a tract of land he owned. (a) According to the Law of Moses, members of the Levite tribe were not permitted to own land (Num. 18:23-24). (b) Why did Barnabas own land? It is possible that the land was located on the island of Cyprus. Another possibility is that the prohibition against Levites owning land may have been mitigated after the return from exile. As evidence of this, members of the Sadducee party, who were also Levites, had become very wealthy.

Barnabas’ ministry recorded in the Acts of the Apostles

Barnabas plays a significant role in the Acts of the Apostles. Let’s consider how his ministry develops. (1) He did not flee Jerusalem even when persecution broke out (Ch. 8). (2) He became a friend of Paul (Acts 9:26-27). (3) He was entrusted by the apostles and sent to the church in Antioch (Acts 11:22-23). (4) He served filled with the Holy Spirit. “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And considerable numbers were added to the Lord” (Acts 11:24). (5) He brought Paul to serve in the church at Antioch (Acts 11:25-26). (6) He collaborated with Paul in the ministry to the Gentiles during their first missionary journey (Acts Ch. 13-14). (7) He had a disagreement with Paul over the treatment of Mark (Acts 15:36-39). The reason Barnabas was greatly used is due to being “filled with the Holy Spirit.” Believers are given the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Those who are personally guided by the Spirit are those filled with the Spirit. Let’s open our hearts to the indwelling Holy Spirit.