Acts 15:36-41 36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the Word of the Lord and see how they are doing." 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
On the surface, this is how it appeared but was it really like that? Was it like the Christmas story of Joseph LOOKING for a place to have his first baby born at the last min… “While they were there…” ? This took place some time after the debate with the “other gospel”. Maybe even up to one year later, Paul approached Barnabas with an idea. Up until that point, they and others have been in and around those main cities there TEACHING, ENCOURAGING, and BUILDING UP THE LOCAL BODY OF BELIEVERS. They were doing the work of an apostle and as pastors, teaching the Word of God.
There was a safe feeling in the ministry. Things were going well. Growth was happening and a growing of a deepening Faith of those they were responsible for, but something was lacking. What was it?
There is a time to move out and to enter the world of adventure. To boldly go where few have ever gone before. Oh, to experience the joy of setting foot on shores that has not been touched by the Gospel before! Here, Paul & Barnabas were not going into new lands but to revisit the people whom they had taught the Gospel to for the first time a little while before. Pagan, at one time, far from God but now, because of the Gospel, are brought near to the Cross and to the fellowship of God's people by the Blood of Jesus. They were transformed people, living for Christ in all they being.
There are times when we here at ICCS need to look up and see that there are "men who look like trees walking." We need a clearer vision of the task set before us. Meaning, we need to be developing a mindset, or rather a new heart-set, that will allow us the joy of going to tell others of the Grace of God. “Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus…”
They felt that as much as those here were benefited in the teaching, they needed now to think how much the others out there could benefit from it. “Let's go and make disciples.” Sounds like something else somewhere…
The need was great OUT THERE. There is a BIG need outside these walls as well. If we only look at ourselves we become self-centered. Who in our circle of relationships can we effect for the Gospel? Ask God! He will and can show us our next step-one we need to take!
"Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing."41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches..
How can we at ICCS do the same? You have seen a number of people leave us over the past year. More will follow the Lord as He leads them to other places to minister. Soon M.Y. will leave us to return to Singapore. D. and S. left one month ago to learn French to move to France in 6 months. M.'s family is in Conn. D. and S. have moved to Tenn. There are many others. We can send a letter to them, call them, e-mail them, or visit them with words of comfort to those who have left us-. In the back, we have set up some pre-addressed envelopes to those who are no longer with us. Take one and write to them and let them know of your love. Encourage them in the Lord. Go deep! Tell them of the transformation in your life and of that same change in others here.
So they did end up doing what they hoped to do in the first place… But along the way, something happened.Even when the dispute was a while ago, the feeling of a good fight was still in the air … perhaps. PAUL & BARNABAS disagreed so strongly with the Judizers (sharp dispute/ turbulent quarrellings). As we know from current events, religious disputes seem to run deeper than most.
Did this atmosphere set up PAUL & BARNABAS for a split? Had they gotten in the mood for fighting? Just remember back to the root cause of the trouble. They were contending for the Faith. When the question of purity of doctrine was at stake-it is best you do not look for the easiest way to resolve it. The expedient way of peace should not be the way of choice. There was a time in world history that such an idea was in vogue. Peace at any cost. ILL: Chamberlain & Hitler.
It is true that the loss of Doctrinal purity at the expense of peace is SO unwise. Again, it is good to know WHAT and WHY you believe.
These Men of the Gospel made plans to journey back to the very places they were beaten, preached, bleed and worked the soil of evangelism over one year before. What would they find?
1 Corinthians 3:5-7 “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe-as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”
Young converts need care as they are surrounded by impurity, oppositions and superstitions. We all do! Things could go very badly for them in their spirit and in their walk. How much more so today! When fellowship is broken-well, it is broken! There is a need to repair the relationship. How?
Isa 58:12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins; and will raise up the age old foundations; and you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
Could this be the new name for the ICCS church plant? Think of the implications of that change! Could this be a new ministry that comes out of the Chapel? Work it over in your hearts and pray about it! We may already doing it!
Verse 37-38 sets the stage for a split between PAUL & BARNABAS. Let's look at those who are involved. John Mark was Barnabas' sister's son. He was at the prayer meeting for the imprisoned Peter. As his uncle, there would be a natural affection for John Mark already.
But Paul-saw it differently.
13:13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.
Paul had two reasons for not wanting John Mark.
1. Mark had deserted them before-a history
2. Mark had not continued with them in the work.
All this was true. Why did John Mark leave? Maybe he was real young in the Faith-or-he was just too young-or-he was not strong enough to hang in there with the persecutions-or-he was just not ready yet. Maybe his Mom called him! In any case, he did leave the group and Paul did not respond well to that. In fact, in the years to come, many will leave Paul yet Mark will still be there.
2 Tim 4:9-11 9 Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
Then in 2 Tim 4:16
At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.
And Colossians 4:10
My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)
When Colossians was written, Mark was in jail with Paul himself! Paul certainly got his fill of people walking out on him yet the last verse speaks volumes. Paul had a good memory of the past. He was a 'call it as you see it' kind of a guy. Some people in ministry are hard-core guys while others are softer.
Verse 39: There was a sharp contention. Not suggesting or implied anger or ill will. Maybe it was just that they differed rather strongly. Unwavered in their feelings. Stubborn? Obstinate? Not really good qualities in a leader, but you need to answer these questions: Too stubborn? Was the result good? Did it bring God Glory? Was the Gospel held back? Did God's work move forward?
- Paul's love for Righteousness-let's get the work done!
- Barnabas' love for his Relative-let's work this out!
As far as Paul was concerned, Mark had been tired and he had failed. Looks like Paul would not trust him again. But, he did-later. Ever been there yourself? Ever been cut out because of past work or attitude? What did you need? Someone who would put their trust in you…give you a second-third chance. Is it better to be cut or to be built up? And Barnabas was living up to his name: Son of Encouragement. “Barnabas would not give up; Paul would not agree.”
So move on. This is not a proof text for how to divide teams. Not a proof text for divorce. Just in this case, they agreed to disagree and the 'cause of the Gospel' was not effected. They took different roads to do ministry.
Therefore, John Mark got to prove himself to his Uncle on the Island of Cyprus among Barnabas' relatives. Silas proved faithful to his leader Paul as they went through Syria and Cilicia. All this resulted in more churches were encouraged, more believers were strengthened, and God's Word was able to spread farther than it would have had PAUL & BARNABAS stayed together. I feel this points to the fact that there can be a conflict and not find sin. People can have difference without wrong tempers. Not allowing the argument to divide people from working the Word of God into lives of men and women.
The part in verse 40 Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. This only speaks to the fact that Dr. Luke went with Paul and not with Barnabas. He wrote what he saw and was part of. I am sure that the local group of Believers also commended John Mark and his uncle as well.
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