Can Joseph Barnabas be extended to incorporate Joseph Barsabbas?

by Damien F. Mackey “Now these are either unconnected similarities, or else we are to connect the dots to see that “Joseph called Barsabbas”, who was not chosen to be an apostle, but because he was such an encouragement, Barsabbas is now called Barnabas by the apostles!” Perry Dox The first step was to identify Joseph Barnabas, a Cyprian Levite, with the rich young man of the Gospels: Was Apostle Barnabas the Gospels’ ‘rich young man’? (1) Was Apostle Barnabas the Gospels' 'rich young man'? This I was able to do thanks to an enlightening article by Harry Whittaker: http://www.christadelphianbooks.org/haw/sitg/sitgb52.html The second step was to identify Joseph Barnabas, the rich young man of the Gospels, with Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea a perfect match for Apostle Barnabas as the Gospels’ ‘rich young man’ (1) Joseph of Arimathea a perfect match for Apostle Barnabas as the Gospels' 'rich young man' A main challenge here was geographical. Now, can we take a third step, by identifying Joseph Barnabas, the rich young man, with Joseph Barsabbas. I had wondered about that this morning (27th November, 2025), and then almost immediately found the following article which attempts just such an identification: PerryDox – BeJustAChristian » Was Barnabas, Barsabbas? Was Barnabas, Barsabbas? Was Barnabas, Barsabbas? The Bible doesn’t directly say so, but the Bible doesn’t directly many things. Such is where we learn implications and inferences, patterns of narrative storytelling, and such. So, does the Holy Spirit imply such is true by how each narrative unfolds? If they are the same individual, the Bible introduces them both in ways which I believe suggests we are to infer they are. This isn’t just an intellectual game of “what if”. If they are the same man, there is a great spiritual, dare I say “encouraging”, lesson to be imitated. Let’s notice a few facts from their “introduction” narratives (Acts 1:13-26; Acts 4:36-37) 1. Both are named Joseph. 2. Their nicknames are similar – Barnabas and Barsabbas in spelling. 3. Both nicknames are similar in meaning because they mean, “Son of”: the Sabbath or Rest; and Encouragement. 4. Similar language is used in describing them: “Joseph called Barsabbas”; “Joseph…the one called…Barnabas”. 5. Both narratives involve land being bought or sold: “Now this man acquired a field” (Acts 1:8). That would be Judas and the land was a burial place for the poor. In Acts 4:37, Barnabas sold a field and brought the money and laid it as the feet of the apostles for poor saints. Barnabas is unlike the apostle who needed replacing. 6. A final connection is both scenes involve the apostles. In Acts 1, Barsabbas is chosen along with Matthias to possibly replace Judas. However, he is not chosen to be the replacement. Then notice in Acts 4, Joseph is called Barnabas BY THE APOSTLES. This means, “Barnabas” is a new nickname. If they are the same man, the group he wasn’t chosen to be one of, ends up changing his nickname from Barsabbas to Barnabas! Later on, Barnabas is selected to accompany two men carrying encouraging news to the Gentile churches. One of these two men was named, Justus called Barsabbas (Acts 15:22). Could this other Barsabbas be the brother of Joseph called Barsabbas who is possibly Joseph called Barnabas? Now these are either unconnected similarities, or else we are to connect the dots to see that “Joseph called Barsabbas”, who was not chosen to be an apostle, but because he was such an encouragement, Barsabbas is now called Barnabas by the apostles! Do you see the encouraging lesson? Even when we are not chosen, be there for those who are, and continue to do what you can. Encourage others. Encourage the ones called. Wait your turn. And finally, who does the Holy Spirit lead Luke to write about more – Matthias or Barnabas who I believe was Barsabbas. ….