Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon with Barnabas from the Bible

The Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon is a popular game that connects any actor in Hollywood to Kevin Bacon through a chain of six or fewer people. In this article, we will play the game using Barnabas from the Bible, one of the lesser-known but influential figures in the early Christian church.

Step 1: Barnabas to Paul
Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus who became a Christian and was known for his generosity and encouragement of fellow believers. He traveled with Paul on his missionary journeys, and they were close friends and partners in ministry (Acts 4:36-37, 9:26-28, 13:2-3).

Paul, on the other hand, was a former Jewish persecutor of Christians who became a follower of Jesus after a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. He became one of the most influential leaders of the early church and wrote many of the New Testament letters (Acts 9:1-22).

Step 2: Paul to Timothy
Paul had a disciple named Timothy, who was half-Jewish and half-Greek. Timothy accompanied Paul on some of his travels and was eventually appointed as a leader in the church at Ephesus. Paul wrote two letters to Timothy, instructing him in church leadership and encouraging him in his faith (Acts 16:1-5, 1 Timothy 1:2).

Step 3: Timothy to Onesiphorus
In one of his letters to Timothy, Paul mentions a man named Onesiphorus who had helped him in his ministry. Onesiphorus had searched for Paul when he was imprisoned in Rome and had refreshed him with his presence and service. Paul prayed for God’s mercy on Onesiphorus’ household (2 Timothy 1:16-18).

Step 4: Onesiphorus to Philemon
Philemon was a wealthy Christian in Colossae who hosted a church in his house. Onesiphorus is mentioned in the letter that Paul wrote to Philemon, along with other greetings and instructions. Paul encouraged Philemon to forgive his runaway slave, Onesimus, and to receive him back as a brother in Christ (Philemon 1:1-25).

Step 5: Philemon to Epaphras
Epaphras was a fellow Colossian who had brought the gospel to his hometown and who was a faithful prayer warrior for the church there. Paul mentioned Epaphras in his letter to the Colossians, along with other believers who had been a help to him (Colossians 4:12-13).

Step 6: Epaphras to Kevin Bacon
Kevin Bacon is connected to Epaphras through his role in the movie "Apollo 13." In the movie, Bacon played astronaut Jack Swigert, who was friends with fellow astronaut Fred Haise, played by Bill Paxton. Paxton also appeared in the movie "Mighty Joe Young" with Charlize Theron, who played the lead in the movie "The Cider House Rules" with Tobey Maguire. Maguire starred in "The Great Gatsby" with Isla Fisher, who played Epiphany Proudfoot in "Burke and Hare" with Tom Wilkinson. Wilkinson appeared in "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" with Laura Linney, who starred in "Mystic River" with Kevin Bacon.

Conclusion
Barnabas may not be as well-known as some other New Testament figures, but his role in supporting Paul and encouraging the early church was vital. He was a generous and faithful servant of Christ, and his legacy lives on today. As the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9, NIV).