The GENERAL EPISTLE of BARNABAS
[Barnabas was a companion and fellow-preacher with Paul. This Epistle lays a greater claim to canonical authority than most others. It has been cited by Clemens of Alexandrinus, Origen, Eusebius, and Jerome, and many ancient Fathers. Cotelerius affirms that Origen and Jerome, esteemed it genuine and canonical: But Cotelerius himself did not believe it to be either one or the other; on the contrary, he supposed it was written for the benefit of the Ebionites (the Christianized Jews,) who were tenacious of rites and ceremonies. Bishop Fell feared to own expressly what he seemed to be persuade of, that it ought to be treated with the same respect as several of the books of the present canon. Dr. Bernard Savilian professor at Oxford, not only believed it to be genuine, but that it was read throughout, in the churches in Alexandria, as the canonical scriptures were. Dodwell believed it to have been published before the Epistle of Jude, and the writings of both the Johns. Vosius, Dupuis, Dr. Cane, Dr. Mill, Dr. S. Clark, Whiston, and Archbishop Wake also esteemed it genuine: Menardus, Archbishop Laud, Spanheim, and others, deemed it apocryphal.]
Note:
Barnabas’s name and affiliation can be found in [Gal. 2:9] Barnabas traveled with Paul and was an avid spokesperson and preacher of the Gospel. Although over looked for his contribution to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Also reference of him is found in Smith Bible Dictionary.
Gal. 2:9 And when James, Ce’phas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Bar’na-bas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
& Smith Bible Dictionary
[Βαρνναβας] Bar’nabas, n.pr. GK: Barnabas “Son of Comfort” :- a name given by apostles, [Acts 4:36], Joseph (or Jose), a Levite of the island of Cyprus, who was a disciple of Christ.
Acts 4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
In [Acts 9:27] we find him introducing the newly-converted Saul to the apostles at Jerusalem.
Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
Barnabas was sent to Jerusalem, Barnabas was sent to Jerusalem [Acts 11:19-26],
Acts 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
Acts 11:20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the LORD Jesus.
Acts 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
Acts 11:22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
Acts 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
Acts 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
Acts 11:25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
“Barnabas then went to Tarsus to seek Saul, as one specially raised up to preach to the Gentiles.” [Acts 26:17].
Acts 26:17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
He brought him to Antioch, and was sent with him to Jerusalem. [Acts 11:30].
Acts 11:30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
“On their return, they were ordained by the church for the missionary work,” [Acts 13:2],
Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
“and sent forth (A.D.45). From this time Barnabas and Paul enjoyed the title and dignity of apostles. Their first missionary journey is related to in [Acts 13:14].
Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
“Returning to Antioch (A.D. 47 or 48), they were sent (A.D. 50), with some others, to Jerusalem.” [Acts 15: 1, 36].
Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Acts 15:36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do.
“Afterwards they parted, and Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, his native island. Here the notices of him cease. The epistle attributed to Barnabas is believed to have been written early in the second century.”
This Epistle was taken from “The Lost Books of the Bible” The Gospels, Epistles and other pieces now extant Attributed in the first four centuries to Jesus Christ His Apostles and their companions And not include by its compilers in the Authorized New Testament; and Syriac Mss. Of Pilate’s Letters to Tiberius.
Compiled By: William Hone
CHAP. II.
That God has abolished the legal sacrifices to introduce righteousness of the Gospel.
SEEING then the days are exceeding evil, and the adversary has got the power of this present 5 world we ought to give the more diligence to inquire into the 6righteous judgements of the Lord.
5Age. 6Equitus.
2 Now the assistance of our faith are fear and patience; our fellow-combatants, long-suffering and continence.
3 Whilst these remain pure in what relates unto the Lord, wisdom and understanding, and science, and knowledge, rejoice together with them.
4 For God has manifested to us by all the prophets, that he has no occasion for our sacrifices, or burnt-offerings, or oblations: saying thus; 8To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me, saith the Lord. 8 Isaiah 1:11
Isa. 1:11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
5 I am full of the burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of 9fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of he goats. 9 Lambs.
6 10 When ye come to appear before me; who hath required this at your hands? Ye shall no more tread my courts. 10 Isaiah 1:12-14
Isa. 1:12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
Isa. 1:13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
Isa. 1:14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
7 Bring no more blain oblations, incense is an abomination unto me; your new moons and sabbaths; the calling of assemblies I cannot away with, it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting; your new moons and appointed feast my soul hateth.
8 These things therefore God hath abolished, that the new law of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is without the yoke of any such necessity, might have the spiritual offering of men themselves.
9 For so the Lord saith again to those heretofore; 11Did I at all command your fathers when they came out of the land of Egypt concerning burnt-offerings of sacrifices? 11 Jer. vii.22, 23
Jer. 7:22 For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:
Jer. 7:23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.
10 But this I command them saying, 12 Let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbor, and love no false oath. 12 Zech viii. 17.
Zech. 8:17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.
11 Forasmuch then as we are not without understanding, we ought to apprehend the design 13 of our merciful Father. For he speaks to us, being willing that we who have been in the same error about the sacrifices, should seek and find how to approach unto him. 13 Of the mercy of our Father.
12 And therefore he thus bespeaks us, 14 The sacrifice of God (is a broken spirit) a broken and contrite heart God will not despise. 14 Psalm i. 1, 2
Ps. 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Ps. 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
13 Wherefore brethren, we ought the more diligently to inquire after these things that belong to our salvation, that the adversary may not have any entrance into us, and deprive us of our spiritual life.
14 Wherefore he again speaketh to them, concerning these things; 1 Ye shall not fast as you do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. 1 Isa. lviii. 4
Isa. 58:4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
15 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? A day for a man to afflict his soul? 2 Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? 2 V. 5
16 But to us he saith on this wise. 3 Is not this the fast that I have chosen. To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free; and that ye break every yoke? 3 V. 6
17 4 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh. 4 V. 7
18 5 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee, the glory of the Lord, shall be thy reward. 5 V. 8
19 6 Then shalt thou call and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry and he shall say, Here I am. If thou put away from the midst of thee the yoke, and the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; 7 and if thy draw out thy soul to the hungry; and satisfy the afflicted soul. 6 V. 9. 7 V. 10.
20 In this therefore brethren, God has manifested his 8 foreknowledge and love for us; because the people which he has purchased to his beloved Son were to believe in 9 sincerity; and therefore he has shewn these things to all of us, that we should not run as proselytes to 10 the Jewish law.
8 Providence. 9 Simplicity. 10 Their.
I pray you have some insight from reading this chapter, many blessings. "Amen"