Saint Barnabas and Apostle Paul in Lystra
Image Courtesy: 33 Knots
(EWTN) Barnabas (originally named Joseph) was born Jewish in Cyprus around the time of the Birth of Jesus, later on when Jesus’ public ministry began, Barnabas may have been one of those who heard Him minister in person.
Barnabas comes as close as anyone outside the original 12 disciples to being an Apostle according to Franciscan Media and was closely associated with Saint Paul (Feast Day 29 June) serving as a kind of mediator of the suspicious Jewish converts to Christianity of his day.
When a Christian community developed at Antioch, Barnabas was sent as the official representative of the Church of Jerusalem, to incorporate them into the community, subsequently both Barnabas and Paul stayed in Antioch for about one year and were remembered for their charismatic ministry together with their enormous success.
Following a miracle at Lystra, the people desired to offer a sacrifice to them as ‘gods’ — Barnabas being ‘Zeus’ and Pail being ‘Hermes’ but the two told the multitudes:
“Men why are you doing this? We also are men of like nature with you and bring you Good News, that you should turn away from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations He allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways, yet he did not leave himself without witness, for He did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” —Acts 14:8-17
Barnabas and Paul subsequently departed Antioch together with Barnabas’ cousin John Mark (who would later compose the most concise account of Jesus Christ life and be Canonized as Saint Mark — Feast Day: 25 April) The group’s first forays into the pagan world met with some success however Mark became discouraged and returned to Jerusalem. The question of Mark’s dedication to the mission would arise again later and resulted in a significant personal disagreement between Paul and Barnabas.
The remarkable success of Barnabas and Paul led to one of the earliest controversies in Church history, regarding whether or not Christian converts would continue to have to observe Jewish traditions?
During the landmark ‘Council of Jerusalem’ (outline courtesy of the Vatican) around the year 48 the assembled Apostles confirmed Paul’s earlier proclamation that the Laws of the Torah would not be mandatory for Christians.
Barnabas and Paul later separated in their ministries while remaining Apostles. — Little is known of the subsequent career of Barnabas according to EWTN except that we know that he was still living and laboring as an Apostle in 56 or 57 when Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 9:5-6 from which we learn that Barnabas like Paul earned his own living though on an equality with other Apostles.
With the exception of Saint Paul and certain of the Twelve Disciples, Barnabas appears to have been the most esteemed man of the first Christian generation. Saint Luke breaking his habit of reserve, speaks of Barnabas with affection:
“For he was a good man full of the Holy Spirit and of faith and a large company was added to the Lord.” —Acts 11:24
Barnabas is said to have died a Martyrs death by stoning in 61 at Cyprus Salamis and is the Patron Saint of Antioch and is invoked as a peacemaker.
More here from Pope Benedict XVI
Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings on the Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle Visit: -USCCB