Barnabas, a Companion of the Apostle Paul, in the Year 64

Barnabas, also called Barsabas, and surnamed Joseph, Joses, or Justus, was a Levite from Cyprus, full of the Holy Ghost. He was called the son of consolation, and he indeed proved himself such to the poor saints. Acts 11, verse 24; Acts 1, verse 23; Acts 4, verse 36; Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, book 2, chapter 1. [n103-1]

It is maintained that he was one of the seventy disciples of Christ, and from the many names he bore we can see his renown and his eminence; the latter he gained by his zeal and piety; for he brought Paul, after his conversion, to the apostles; and when the Word of God was preached to the Grecians, at Antioch, by some men from Cyprus and Cyrene, he was sent by the apostles to look into the matter; and when he found it to be so, he confirmed them in the truth. Acts 9, verse 27; Acts 11, verses 20 to 23.

After this he went to Tarsus, to look for Paul, and brought him to Antioch, where they stayed a whole year teaching. Also, when the famine arose under Emperor Claudius, he and Paul brought substantial relief to the brothers who lived in Judea. Acts 11, verses 25, 26, 29 and 30; Orosius, book 7, chapter 6. Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, book 2, chapters 3 and 9. [n103-2]

On his return to Antioch, he was sent out by the Holy Ghost to preach in many countries. Because of his eloquence he was often the speaker; indeed, he was held in such high regard, and was so godly, that the Gentiles at Lystra cried out in the speech of Lycaonia that he was a god, and had come down from heaven, and they called him Jupiter.

And this was not all; the priest of that place came with oxen wearing garlands, and wanted to offer sacrifice to him and to Paul. But he and his companion Paul utterly refused this, saying, "Sirs, why do you do these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach to you that you should turn from these vanities to the living God." Acts 12, verse 25; Acts 13, verses 4 to 6; Acts 14, verses 1, 2, 11, 12 and 15.

Afterward, when certain men came from Judea, and troubled the brothers, saying, "Unless you are circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved," he and the companion just named vigorously opposed them, according to the teaching of the holy Gospel; therefore he and several other pious men were appointed to go to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, to bring that matter to a good end. When they arrived at Jerusalem, he and the others were joyfully received by the apostles and the church; indeed, what is still more, they testified of him and his companion Paul that they were men who had risked their lives for the truth, which was indeed apparent. Acts 15, verses 1 and 26.

For when he came to Salamina, a large city on the island of Cyprus, today called Famagosta, to strengthen the church at that place in the faith, he was very badly treated, as ancient history tells us, by a Jewish sorcerer, who stirred up all the other Jews and the whole people against him, so that they seized him in an uproar, and were about to bring him before the judge; but fearing that the judge, discovering his innocence, would perhaps release him, they, after treating him pitifully, put a rope around his neck, dragged him out of the city, and burned him. Antoninus, part 1, title 6, chapter 18. Sabellicus, Ennead 7, book 2. [n103-3]

So this faithful servant of Christ was honored with the martyr's crown, in his fatherland, and fell asleep happy in the Lord, about the time that James the Just was killed at Jerusalem, under Emperor Nero; yet before the proclamation of the first heathen persecution, which began shortly after the burning of Rome. Platina, in the Life of Peter and Paul. Bybelsch Naemboeck, pages 158 and 159, letter B. From the history of Andrew, folio 8. [n103-4]