Acts 11:24 refers to Barnabas as “a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." Barnabas enters the New Testament story in Acts 4 when he sells his land and gives the money to the apostles. He embraced Paul after his conversion, and introduced him to the other apostles (Acts 9:27). When a great conversion began among the Gentiles in Antioch, Barnabas was sent to encourage them to “cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:20-26). Barnabas called Paul to this mission field, and later joined Paul on his first missionary journey to churches in Asia Minor. Barnabas and Paul disagreed about whether or not to take John Mark, Barnabas’ cousin, on the second missionary journey. This “contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other” (Acts 15:39). Despite this argument, and perhaps because Mark ultimately proved himself, Paul’s esteem remained strong; every time Paul mentions Barnabas in his letters, it is with respect (1 Cor 9:6; Gal 2:1,9,13; Col 4:10). Barnabas was at the Council of Jerusalem where, this time agreeing with Paul, he testified to the “miracles and wonders” God had done among the Gentiles and argued that Gentiles should be allowed into the Church without being circumcised. Church tradition says that Barnabas returned to his native Cyprus, to the city of Salamis. While preaching there he was seized by Jewish leaders and stoned.