Barnabas and the early Christians

Today, we remember the man who mentored the Apostle Paul

Barnabas, whom we commemorate today, is so often overshadowed by Paul (Saul) that it is easy to forget that he was Paul's mentor. Luke refers to this early missionary team as "Barnabas and Saul," implying Barnabas as the senior partner.

What we know, reliably, about Barnabas is all recorded in Acts. He was a Levite from Cyprus whose given name was Joseph. He apparently had a gift for encouraging others because the name "Barnabas" means "son of encouragement." His first act of charity was selling a field and laying the money at the disciples' feet (Acts 4.36). Luke says "he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith" (Acts 11.24). His stature in the early church is apparent from his being chosen to be sent to Antioch when word reached the church in Jerusalem that the Gospel had been preached there to the Hellenists (Greeks).

Barnabas, moreso than any of the apostles, recognized the value of his protege Saul, particularly in reaching the Hellenists. That is why he left Antioch for Tarsus to bring Saul back with him to spend an entire year with the believers. Luke says that it was "in Antioch" that "the disciples were first called Christians." Up until that time, they had been called "followers of the Way." The term "Christian" was probably not intended as a compliment initially, but it came to be the name by which all believers would honor Christ as the world inflicted untold suffering upon them.

Today, the term "Christian" has become generic, and that is a most unfortunate occurrence. It was originally coined because those who were disciples of Jesus so imitated his life and example that no other term seemed to capture their essence. The earliest Christians, believers like Barnabas, were willing to suffer and even give their lives for the One they proclaimed as the Christ, the Anointed One of God.

Grant, O God, that we may follow the example of your faithful servant Barnabas, who, seeking not his own renown but the well-being of your Church, gave generously of his life and substance for the relief of the poor and went forth courageously in mission for the spread of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.