“But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord. Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 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. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. " [Acts 15:35-41]
When Good People Differ
Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch at this time, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord. The time had come to begin the Second Missionary Journey. Paul broached the subject to Barnabas, suggesting that they revisit the cities where they had previously preached the word. When Barnabas insisted that his cousin, Mark, accompany them, Paul strongly opposed the plan. Paul remembered vividly how Mark had departed from them in Pamphylia, and doubtless feared he would do it again. The contention between Barnabas and Paul became so sharp that these two honored servants of the Lord parted from one another.
Good people differ. Through we all might be filled with the same Holy Spirit, we see things through different eyes. Part of this is because we are different people, and part of this is because we grow in different ways.
In this passage, Paul, a visionary apostle, was interested in maximum mileage with minimum distraction. But Barnabas, a builder of people, saw great potential in Mark and didn’t want him left on the side of the road as wreckage. Who was right? They both were. Barnabas dropped out of the story and out of the limelight. But he continued to do what he knew he should do—build up other people. Paul moved on to plant churches and open new regions for the gospel. At the end of his life, Paul looked back with gratitude for the work Barnabas did with Mark. Later we learned that Mark was one of the few people Paul could count on after almost everyone else had deserted him. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:11, “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.”
Next time you find yourself disagreeing with another Christian, consider a new possibility: you both might be right.
If you whole-heartedly want to glorify God, you can’t go wrong!
If you whole-heartedly want to glorify God, you can’t go wrong!
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” [Romans 8:28]
Paul's Helpful Minister
“Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” [2 Timothy 4:9-11]
Bring Mark with you, he is helpful in ministry
