BARNABAS
The Epistle of Barnabas is a writing whose authorship is circumspect in many ways. The early church believed it written by Barnabas the Levite of Cyprus, an early believer of renown in the church.[1] Its dating is early, but its veiled authorship leaves some wondering as to its actual importance and significance. This letter does possess some early spiritual warfare references however, comparing the pre-salvific state of being a “habitation of demons” compared with how believers become a spiritual temple of God.[2] Such a reference implies possession, but because authorship questions remain, the references are not greatly weighted.
[1]A. Cleveland Coxe, “Introductory Note to the Epistle of Barnabas” (ANF 1:133), accessed December 30, 2013, http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.vi.i.html.
[2]“Before we believed in God, the habitation of our heart was corrupt and weak, as being indeed like a temple made with hands. For it was full of idolatry, and was a habitation of demons, through our doing such things as were opposed to [the will of] God.” Barnabas, The Epistle of Barnabas (ANF 1:147), accessed December 30, 2013, http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.vi.ii.xvi.html.