Originally from Cyprus, Barnabas was a Jewish Christian who sold a field and gave the money to support the early Christian community in Jerusalem. The book of Acts describes Barnabas introducing Paul (then known as Saul) to the apostles while they still fear him, because of his reputation as a persecutor of the church (Acts 9:26-27). Sometime later, Barnabas brings Paul to the church in Antioch, where they labor together and from where they are sent out as evangelists (Acts 11:25-26; 13:1-3). His partnership with Paul continues when both are sent to Jerusalem to help secure full acceptance of Gentile Christians (Acts 15:1-4). After a quarrel, Barnabas and Paul part company (Acts 15:36-39).