Ahoy from Amoy (Xiamen) China!
Who was responsible for most of the New Testament books? Many would say Paul, because of the NT's 27 books, Paul wrote 13 or 14 (depending on whether you think he wrote Hebrews or not). But I say we can thank Barnabus, "Son of Encouragement," for over half of the New Testament, even though he did not write any books (although Tertullian claimed that Barnabus wrote Hebrews).
So why should Barnabus get such credit? After Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, he tried to join the believers in Jerusalem, but they were afraid of him. It was Barnabus (Acts 9:27) who encouraged the believers to trust Paul. So without Barnabus' help, Paul may not have joined the church. Barnabus also accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys.
And in Acts. 15, Barnabus wanted to take John Mark (Barnabus' cousin) on a journey and Paul refused because, evidently, Mark had disappointed him on an earlier trip to Pamphylia. Acts says "there arose a sharp contention between them," so they split--and Barnabus went on his way with John Mark.
Barnabus' encouragement of John Mark paid off. He not only wrote the Gospel of Mark, but in 2 Timothy 4:11b, Paul asks them to bring Mark because "he is helpful to me in my ministry." And in Colossians 4:10, Paul says to give Mark, the relative of Barnabus, a hearty welcome if he comes to them.
So Paul did write 13 or 14 books, and Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark--together over half the new testament. But both of them owed a debt to Barnabus, who well deserved his name, "Son of Encouragement."
Who can you encourage today?
Blessings, from Amoy,
Dr. Bill
Bill Brown Xiamen University www.amoymagic.com
Who was responsible for most of the New Testament books? Many would say Paul, because of the NT's 27 books, Paul wrote 13 or 14 (depending on whether you think he wrote Hebrews or not). But I say we can thank Barnabus, "Son of Encouragement," for over half of the New Testament, even though he did not write any books (although Tertullian claimed that Barnabus wrote Hebrews).
So why should Barnabus get such credit? After Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, he tried to join the believers in Jerusalem, but they were afraid of him. It was Barnabus (Acts 9:27) who encouraged the believers to trust Paul. So without Barnabus' help, Paul may not have joined the church. Barnabus also accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys.
And in Acts. 15, Barnabus wanted to take John Mark (Barnabus' cousin) on a journey and Paul refused because, evidently, Mark had disappointed him on an earlier trip to Pamphylia. Acts says "there arose a sharp contention between them," so they split--and Barnabus went on his way with John Mark.
Barnabus' encouragement of John Mark paid off. He not only wrote the Gospel of Mark, but in 2 Timothy 4:11b, Paul asks them to bring Mark because "he is helpful to me in my ministry." And in Colossians 4:10, Paul says to give Mark, the relative of Barnabus, a hearty welcome if he comes to them.
So Paul did write 13 or 14 books, and Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark--together over half the new testament. But both of them owed a debt to Barnabus, who well deserved his name, "Son of Encouragement."
Who can you encourage today?
Blessings, from Amoy,
Dr. Bill
School of Management, Xiamen University
Amazon eBook "Discover Xiamen"
www.amoymagic.comAmazon eBook "Discover Xiamen"
Bill Brown Xiamen University www.amoymagic.com
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