Who we are
Built for Believers
The Barnabas Company exists to serve the needs of the Church. Plain and simple. The aim is to build efficient, affordable platforms so that local bodies of believers may proclaim the ancient message of Christ's gospel to a modern, digital age. I call it the "ancient truth, modern media" approach.
Built for believers, by believers
Drawing from the book of Acts, I found inspiration for the name in the person of Barnabas, the “son of encouragement” who laid his resources at the feet of the apostles’ (Acts 4:36-37).
My life has largely centered around two things: raising kids and serving at church. It was there, working with local believers, that I saw firsthand the frustration that so often accompanies small budgets and lofty goals. I felt that frustration, and wanted to do something about it.
For those curious about the beliefs that drive this company, perhaps the most concise summary is embodied in the Nicene and Apostle’s Creeds. Doctrinally, I subscribe to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith.
Nicene Creed
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
The Apostles Creed
I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost. I believe an holy catholic church; the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. AMEN.
Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), owned a tract of land. So he sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Images of God, Christ, and the Trinity
Many Reformed and Presbyterian believers take exception to images of Christ. Personally, I’m undecided at this point, though I lean toward the viewpoint expressed by Ligonier and by the late RC Sproul. So for the sake of others, and since I’ve not landed on a definitive conviction, I’ve chosen to omit all images of the Godhead, both in my artwork and on this site in general (Romans 14).
Ecclesiology
We believe that the local church is made up of believers, “associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel.” We also believe that “while both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.” Further, we believe that “the New Testament speaks also of the church as the Body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation” (see BF&M).