Barnabas, Epistle Of
TextsWhat is the meaning of Barnabas, Epistle Of in the Bible?
The Epistle of Barnabas is a non-canonical early Christian treatise that systematically reinterprets Old Testament narratives and laws as allegories pointing to Jesus Christ and the Christian church, thereby rejecting literal observance of Jewish customs.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this text reveals the intense early Christian debate over the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Covenant, illustrating how early theologians utilized allegory to distinguish Christian identity from Judaism and to justify the abandonment of Mosaic law for Gentile converts.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.