How many times has it happened that two Christians had such different ideas and drew such different conclusions that it affected their ability to work together? Often, this rift permanently affects the relationship. They don’t speak to each other and even speak poorly of each other. Such a reaction actually hurts the influence and progress of the church, and it contradicts the biblical remedy (Rom. 12:17-18; Mat. 5:23-24).
In Acts 15, as is often the case when these schisms occur, the parties involved are actually trying to do good for the Lord. After the Jerusalem meeting (15:1-35), Paul suggests to Barnabas that they “return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are” (36). Barnabas loved the idea. These men had obviously worked well together (ch. 13-14). From the earliest days of his conversion, Paul had had an advocate and supporter in Barnabas (9:26-31). They had been in some difficult trenches on the first journey. In other words, they had forged a strong bond.
But, trouble arose! “Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work” (37-38). Barnabas was ever the encourager (4:36). John Mark was his cousin (Col. 4:10), which had to have complicated the situation for him. Paul was a tenacious go-getter, willing to risk his neck for the gospel. Did he see John Mark as soft, unreliable, or immature?
There is no doubt that this created so much friction that the Holy Spirit through Luke calls it a “sharp disagreement” (39). This word, when used physically, described an attack of fever at its highest point–which often causes delirium! It was an irritation that reached exasperation. It was so bad that they separated from one another. This could have been the pathetic ending of so much global evangelism. They could have gotten out their competing scrolls and “written each other up” across the brotherhood, or posted on some ancient equivalent of social media about how much of a victim they were or how evil each other was. We have seen such small-mindedness in our own day. But, what did they do?
Barnabas went ahead and took Mark and they sailed to Cyprus (39). Paul took Silas with him, sent by the Antioch church and “strengthening the churches” (40-41). Luke traces the rest of Paul’s heroic, faithful mission work throughout the rest of the book of Acts. What about Barnabas? It appears that the Holy Spirit is pretty silent about his activity after their parting of the ways (1 Cor. 9:6; Gal. 2:1ff seem to record events during the first missionary journey or before). Yet, his legacy is implied through the mention of John Mark. When Paul was in prison, after his missionary journeys are done, he calls him “my fellow worker” (Phile. 24). He recommends Mark to the church at Colossae about the same time (4:10). Some of Paul’s last recorded words are, “Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service” (2 Tim. 4:11).
Does that sound like the Hatfields and McCoys? Does it sound like competitors and enemies? They could not resolve their difference and they went their separate ways, but they remained brethren. Apparently, they continued to work together even if in different ways. Perhaps they might say they regretted letting this disagreement get so sharp, but they did not let it distract them from the mission. May that spirit live in you and me today!
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