An early Christian disciple mentioned in the Bible who travelled with Paul on many missionary journeys in the Biblical book of Acts. His name was given by the apostles of Jesus because of his encouraging character (Acts 4:36). Barnabas was a Cyprian Jew, a Levite. His original name is Joseph or Joses.

Muslims regard Barnabas to be a true Christian who opposed Paul's teaching. This, however, goes against the record in Acts:

• When Paul became a Christian, other believers were still afraid of him, because Paul used to persecute the Christians before his conversion. Barnabas brought Paul to the apostles. (Acts 9:27)
• Barnabas sought out Paul to work with him at Antioch when Barnabas saw the great need for ministry at Antioch. They taught at that church for a whole year (Acts 11:22-26).
• Barnabas and Paul were given the responsibility together to send aid (Acts 11:29-30).
• Barbabas and Paul were listed as "prophets and teachers" at the church in Antioch (Acts 13:1).
• Barnabas and Paul were on the same missionary journey (Acts 13:2-4).
• Barbabas and Paul preached together and were persecuted together (Acts 13:43-51).
• Barnabas and Paul went up to Jerusalem together to report to the apostles God's grace and miracles among the Gentiles (Acts 15:12).
• The Apostles sent Barnabas and Paul to deliver their letters to the Gentile churches urging these churches to continue to trust in God but absolving them of the need to follow the Mosaic Law (Acts 15:25).
• The Apostles sent Barnabas and Paul to the uncircumcised Gentiles while they ministered among the circumcised (Jews) (Galatians 2:9).

Muslims tout the so-called Gospel of Barnabas ms. Vienna, an Italian manuscript which was translated into English by Lonsdale and Laura Ragg, as the true gospel in contrast to the four gospels contained in the New Testament in the Bible. Because this manuscript bear much teaching like the Qur'an, e.g. denying the crucifixion of Jesus, denying his deity, etc. Muslims thought that this is the true gospel of Jesus. Close examination of the manuscript however reveals that this book contradicts the Qur'an in many aspects, like denying that Jesus is the Messiah, have Jesus calling the author Barnabas (which was A NAME given by the apostles after Jesus' resurrection), etc. The author of this book was not familiar with first century life in Palestine or geography (e.g. winter rains, Nazareth near the sea, etc), but with 14th century Spain, using Spanish words (e.g. minuti) and mentioning medieval inventions (e.g. wine caskets when first century Jews used wineskins). Barnabas was a Jew, but the author did not know that the Jubilee in the Bible comes every 50 years. Instead, the author said that it is 100 years, which happened to be decreed in the 14th century, and later revoked to return to the Biblical 50 years. The evidence therefore demands that we reject this manuscript as fraudulent.

The arguments pro and contra against this alleged gospel are discussed in great detail in the section on The Gospel of Barnabas

Go Back to Main Index