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Paul and his companions · The early church

Barnabas

Also called Joses

Paul’s companion on the first journey

23
Events
14
Places
5
Journeys

Editorial summary

A Levite of Cyprus named Joses, whom the apostles called Barnabas. He brought Saul to the apostles in Jerusalem and later from Tarsus to Antioch, was set apart with him there for the first journey, and after a sharp disagreement about John Mark sailed to Cyprus with Mark.

Scripture

Journeys

5

Where their story unfolds

14

From: Cyprus ()

Where they appear

23

  1. Barnabas sells his field

    Joses, a Levite of Cyprus whom the apostles called Barnabas, meaning Son of Encouragement, sold a field he owned and laid the money at the apostles’ feet.

  2. Saul with the apostles in Jerusalem

    When Saul came to Jerusalem the disciples were afraid of him, but Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told how he had seen the Lord on the way and preached boldly at Damascus. Saul was with them, preaching boldly and disputing with the Hellenists, who were seeking to kill him.

  3. First called Christians at Antioch

    The church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch, and he exhorted the believers to remain near to the Lord. He then went to Tarsus to look for Saul and brought him to Antioch, where for a whole year they taught many people. At Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

  4. Agabus foretells a famine

    Prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch, and one of them, Agabus, foretold by the Spirit a great famine over all the world, which came in the days of Claudius. The disciples, each as he had plenty, sent relief for the brothers in Judea to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

  5. Barnabas and Saul take John Mark

    In the WEB text, Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their service, taking with them John who was called Mark.

  6. Barnabas and Saul are sent out

    As the prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit called for Barnabas and Saul to be set apart. After fasting and prayer they laid their hands on them and sent them away.

  7. Sailing for Cyprus

    Barnabas and Saul went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.

  8. Preaching in the synagogues of Salamis

    At Salamis they proclaimed God’s word in the Jewish synagogues, with John as their assistant.

  9. The proconsul believes

    At Paphos the sorcerer Elymas tried to turn the proconsul Sergius Paulus from the faith. Saul, also called Paul, declared that Elymas would be blind for a time, and the proconsul believed.

  10. Paul’s address in the synagogue

    Invited to speak on the Sabbath, Paul recounted Israel’s history and proclaimed Jesus. A week later almost the whole city gathered; when some opposed them, Paul and Barnabas turned to the Gentiles, and persecution drove them out.

  11. A divided city

    A great multitude of Jews and Greeks believed, and the apostles stayed a long time. But the city was divided, and when an attempt was made to stone them, they fled.

  12. Healing at Lystra

    Paul healed a man who had never walked. The crowds called Barnabas Jupiter and Paul Mercury, and the apostles could hardly stop them from offering sacrifices.

  13. Many disciples at Derbe

    Paul and Barnabas preached the Good News in Derbe and made many disciples.

  14. Strengthening the new churches

    Retracing their route through Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, they encouraged the disciples to continue in the faith and appointed elders in every church.

  15. Speaking the word in Perga

    Passing through Pisidia into Pamphylia, Paul and Barnabas spoke the word in Perga.

  16. Sailing home from Attalia

    From Perga they went down to Attalia and sailed back to Antioch.

  17. Reporting to the church

    Back in Antioch they gathered the church and told how God had opened a door of faith to the nations. They stayed there a long time.

  18. Dispute over circumcision at Antioch

    Men who came down from Judea taught the brothers that they could not be saved unless they were circumcised after the custom of Moses. After much dispute, Paul, Barnabas and some others were appointed to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about the question.

  19. Through Phoenicia and Samaria

    Sent on their way by the church, Paul and Barnabas passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling of the conversion of the Gentiles, which brought great joy to all the brothers.

  20. The council at Jerusalem

    At Jerusalem some believing Pharisees said Gentile believers must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. After Peter, Barnabas and Paul spoke, James judged that Gentiles turning to God should not be troubled, only asked to abstain from a few things. Judas called Barsabbas and Silas were chosen to carry the letter to Antioch.

  21. The letter delivered at Antioch

    At Antioch the messengers gathered the believers and delivered the letter, and they rejoiced at its encouragement. Judas and Silas, who were prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers and after some time were sent back in peace, while Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.

  22. Paul and Barnabas part ways

    Paul proposed revisiting every city where they had preached. A sharp disagreement over taking John Mark led Barnabas to sail to Cyprus with Mark, while Paul chose Silas and went through Syria and Cilicia.

  23. Titus goes up to Jerusalem

    After fourteen years Paul went up again to Jerusalem by revelation with Barnabas, taking Titus with him, and laid out the Good News he preached among the Gentiles, privately before those who were respected. Titus, a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised.

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