After a lifeless first half when both sides played to a pattern but with little confidence, Macclesfield scored a bizarre opener that seemed set to ignite their season.
Striker Mathew McNeil, struggling for form, turned his back on an Ian Hendon clearance seven minutes after the break only to see the ball rebound off his backside and loop into the empty net.
However, Hendon made amends on the hour when he thumped home a powerful low penalty after Simon King had theatrically thrown himself down under a challenge from home goalkeeper Jonny Brain.
Brain was then at fault for the Bees' second just four minutes later when he flapped at a weak shot from Nicky Bailey to allow Barry Cogan to score from close range.
Former club captain Matt Tipton, on his return to Moss Rose, scored an equaliser in the 68th minute when he converted a neat pass from McNeil with a typical goal-poacher's back heel from close range.
Macclesfield then had chances to seal the points but Tipton saw a fierce shot blocked by Lee Harrison, before Kevin McIntyre curled a shot over the bar from 15 yards.
They were made to pay in the 75th minute when Bailey ghosted into the box to meet a Jason Puncheon corner with a bullet header into the roof of the net.
Barnet then clinically closed up shop, leaving Town struggling to create chances for an equaliser.
The first half had been a disappointing affair with Barnet enjoying the bulk of possession but failing to force a save from Brain.
At the other end Macclesfield went close in the 24th minute when Tipton released McNeil, but Harrison made a comfortable save.