Brother In Messiah

[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 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 supposes it was written for the benefit of the Ebionites (the nazareneized Jews,) who were tenacious of rites and ceremonies. Bishop Fell feared to own expressly what he seemed to be persuaded 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 assemblyes at Alexandria, as the canonical scriptures were. Dodwell supposed it to have been published before the Epistle of Jude, and the writings of both the Johns. Vossius, 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.]

CHAP. I.

Preface to the Epistle.

ALL happiness to you my sons and daughters, in the name of our Adon Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, who loved us, in peace. 2 Having perceived abundance of knowledge of the great and excellent laws of Alahym to be in you, I exceedingly rejoice in your barak and admirable souls, because ye have so worthily received the favour which was grafted in you. 3 For which cause I am full of joy, hoping the rather to be saved; inasmuch as I truly see a ruach infused into you, from the pure fountain of Alahym: 4 Having this persuasion, and being fully convinced thereof, because that since I have begun to speak unto you, I have had a more than ordinary good success in the way of the law of the Adon which is in Mashiach. 5 For which cause brethren, I also think verily that I love you above my own soul: because that therein dwelleth the greatness of faith and charity, as also the hope of that life which is to come. 6. Wherefore considering this, that if I shall take care to communicate to you a part of what I have received, it shall turn to my reward, that I have served such good souls; I gave diligence to write in a few words unto you; that together with your faith, knowledge also may be perfect. 7 There are therefore three things ordained by Yahuah; the hope of life; the beginning and the completion of it. 8 For Yahuah hath both declared unto us, by the prophets those things that are past; and opened to us the beginnings of those that are to come. 9 Wherefore, it will behoove us, as he has spoken, to come more set-apartly, and nearer to his altar. 10 I therefore, not as a teacher, but as one of you, will endeavour to lay before you a few things by which you may, on many accounts, become the more joyful.