Epistle of Barnabas 1/7 (Voice)

The Epistle of Barnabas is a Greek treatise with some features of an epistle containing twenty-one chapters, preserved complete in the 4th century Codex Sinaiticus where it appears at the end of the New Testament. It is traditionally ascribed to Barnabas who is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, though some ascribe it to another apostolic father of the same name, a "Barnabas of Alexandria," or simply attribute it to an unknown early Christian teacher. A form of the Epistle 850 lines long is noted in the Latin list of canonical works in the 6th century Codex Claromontanus [1]. It is not to be confused with the Gospel of Barnabas.

Early citations
Toward the end of the second century Clement of Alexandria cites the Epistle. It is also appealed to by Origen of Alexandria. Eusebius, however, objected to it and ultimately the epistle disappeared from the appendix to the New Testament, or rather the appendix disappeared with the epistle. In the West the epistle never enjoyed canonical authority (though it stands beside the Epistle of James in the Latin manuscripts). In the East, the Stichometry of Nicephorus, the list appended by the 9th century Patriarch of Jerusalem to his Chronography, lists the Epistle of Barnabas in a secondary list, of books that are antilegomena— "disputed"— along with the Revelation of John, the Revelation of Peter and the Gospel of the Hebrews.


Origin of the Epistle of Barnabas
The first editor of the epistle, Hugo Menardus (1645) advocated the genuineness of its ascription to Barnabas, but the opinion to-day is that Barnabas was not the author. Many scholars today believe it was probably written in the years 70 131, and addressed to Christian Gentiles. In 16.3-4, the Epistle reads:

"Furthermore he says again, 'Behold, those who tore down this temple will themselves build it.' It is happening. For because of their fighting it was torn down by the enemies. And now the very servants of the enemies will themselves rebuild it."
This passage clearly places Barnabas after the destruction of the temple in AD 70. But it also places Barnabas before the Bar Kochba Revolt of AD 132, after which there could have been no hope that the Romans would help to rebuild the temple. The document must come from the period between the two revolts. The place of origin remains an open question, although the Greek-speaking Eastern Mediterranean appears most probable (Treat).

Although the work is not gnostic in a heterodox sense, the author, who considers himself to be a teacher to the unidentified audience to which he writes (see e.g. 9.9), intends to impart to his readers the perfect gnosis (special knowledge), that they may perceive that the Christians are the only true covenant people, and that the Jewish people had never been in a covenant with God. His polemics are, above all, directed against Judaizing Christians (see Ebionites, Nazarenes, Judaizing teachers).

In no other writing of that early time is the separation of the Gentile Christians from observant Jews so clearly insisted upon. The covenant promises, he maintains, belong only to the Christians (e.g. 4.6-8), and circumcision, and the entire Jewish sacrificial and ceremonial system are, according to him, due to misunderstanding. According to the author's conception, Jewish scriptures, rightly understood, contain no such injunctions (chapters 9-10). He is a thorough opponent to Jewish legalism, but by no means an antinomist. At some points the Epistle seems quite Pauline, as with its concept of atonement.

It is likely that, due to the resurgence of Judaism in the early second century, and the tolerance of the emperor Hadrian, Christians, such as the text's author, felt a need to polemically resist Jewish influences. In this case, the author seems to aim to demonstrate that Jewish understanding of the Mosaic legislation (Torah) is completely incorrect and can now be considered superseded, since in the author's view the Jewish scriptures foreshadowed Jesus and Christianity when rightly understood.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Barnabas
• Jesus
• Judaism
• Gnosis
• Interpretation
• Enoch
• Apocrypha
• Pseudepigrapha
• Sacrifices

[MPPFLIPP]

I did my research today & learned all of the real historical facts on this bogus letter made on purpose to confuse people on what true Christianity is. It is more like some person back 1000 years ago decided he would produce a fake letter for what ever evil purpose he had in his heart. He wrote this to some other people. Perhaps they were his followers. He was obviously make statements about things he had no real knowledge of. We fine now & make all kinds of Stupid choices to believe a lie.

[Apocryphile1970]

@MPPFLIPP Sir, with all due respect, this is the Epistle of Barnabas, not the Gospel of Barnabas. The Epistle of Barnabas is well attested to in the early Church, and even exists at the end of the New Testament in the Codex Siniaticus. 

[LifeIsAnicca]

Excellent Epistle.

[Apocryphile1970]

@LifeIsAnicca This was the first extra Biblical book I ever read. It literally changed the way I looked at the Scriptures. VERY interesting book!

[us51621708]

great stuff---epistle of barnabas is obviously inspired

[lonslens]

tis not the "buk" of enoch sir. more reseerch

[GODH8TZ]

@MPPFLIPP what exactly did he say that was contrary in any way with scripture?

[MPPFLIPP]

@Apocryphile1970 I have not had time to go back & recheck what I read but I did use the words in my search of (Epistle of Barnabas) and did not see anything with the words 'Gospel' I am going to look further to see what the difference is in what is said about these 2 letters. of Barnabas So either what I have pasted was about the ' Epistle' or the sites I saw use that term also for the ' Gospel' version.

[mishakol129]

@MPPFLIPP In the Eastern Orthodox Church we have the ability to receive this Divine Nature in ourselves through the Holy Mystery of the Eucharist, where we receive Jesus Christ's Holy Body and Blood. This is a Mystery of Salvation. Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life and He gave us the institution of Holy Communion at the Last Supper. This is the way in which we receive the Grace of God into our bodies. But Holy Eucharist cannot be received unless you are Baptised and Christmated with Holy Spirit

[mishakol129]

The early Church Fathers say that God became man in order for man to become what God is by grace. We must "clothe ourselves with Christ" (Gal 3:27) Who came in order so that we can renew our fallen nature, and put on the "New Man" (Col 3:10). Being made partakers of the Divine Nature (2 Pet 1:4). The Scriptures speak not only that the soul must become a "new creation in Christ"(2 Cor 5:17) (we are not dualists) but also of the body as well. The body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor 6:19)

[mishakol129]

@MPPFLIPP We say that believing Jesus Christ gives Salvation BUT, having Grace in one's body is what constitutes Salvation in this earthly life. St Paul makes it very clear that WE ALL SHALL BE RAISED, and that some will be raised to corruption while other to incorruption. So Salvation really has to do with the Resurrection of our bodies. A person becomes "Saved" when he has within his body the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, thus making his body incorruptible.

Haven't you ever seen the relics?

[MPPFLIPP]

@mishakol129 There is where U disagree with GOD as He had Jeremiah write Jeremiah 17:9

“ The heart is deceitful above all things,And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I follow the beliefs of the Waldenses who received their scriptures directly from PAUL, MARK, LUKE. So, I am waiting for U to explain what U'r beliefs need to go to heaven & be forgiven. What must I do to make it into heaven. Please explain that one thing. Pretend I have only a few minutes to live, what Must I do 2 be saved?

[MPPFLIPP]

@MPPFLIPP So tell me NOW what it takes according to U'r traditions & beliefs what a person must do in order to get into heaven & live near GOD. I want all of the facts U believe we must to do be forgiven & B accepted into Heaven. I wait.

[mishakol129]

Western Christianity is exactly what caused Sola Scriptura. Sola Scriptura came through the idea that God and the eternal energies of God could be rationally known. But the Eastern Orthodox Church, maintained that God can only be known in the heart, in a mysterious way, not by rationalization.

The whole problem with Sola Scriptura is that is relies way too much on rationalization of the Holy Scriptures.

You think you can figure everything out in your head because you have The Book.