The Separation of Paul and Barnabas

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The Separation of Paul and Barnabas

 

In the book of Acts, we can read the record about two friends who had a disagreement. They ended up going their separate ways following this disagreement. 

Acts 15: 36 - 41

 

Their disagreement was over something that had happened at an earlier time. 

Acts 13: 13

 

While we don’t know why, it is clear that John Mark would not continue on with them in their work of spreading the Gospel. Was he lazy? Was he fearful? Scripture does not say, but there are several great lessons we can learn from this incident.  

 

First, we are all human. Even faithful saints sometimes have disagreements. Disagreement is a part of life. We don’t always see eye-to-eye with the people in our lives. We sometimes disagree with our parents, our children, our neighbors, our friends, and our coworkers. 

 

 

Therefore, it should not come as some huge surprise that even brethren disagree from time to time.

Philippians 4: 2 - 3

 

The important thing is the nature of the disagreement and what we do about it.  Is it over a matter of doctrine? Then we must seek to find the truth.

Philippians 1:27 

 

Is it because or both are being judgmental? Then we must strive to pursue peace.

Romans 14:19

 

From our reading, we can see that the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas was over a simple judgment call.  Paul had not charged John Mark with committing a sin. We should also note that God did not demand that Paul and Barnabas work together.  Sometimes, people just can’t work together. It is in these cases that a peaceful separation is not always bad. 

 

Paul was dispassionately logical about it.

Acts 15:38

 

Barnabas was not, because he had a family tie involved. Colossians 4:10

The lesson here is that we must never let a simple judgment call rise to the status of sin.  We have to be able to know the difference.

 

We can also see that their separation did not disrupt their unity in Christ. Each one continued to preach the gospel.  Neither one of them smeared the other. Neither one of them tried to turn other brethren against the other.

 Acts 15:39-41

 

Paul later refers to Barnabas as a faithful preacher, worthy of support. 

1Corinthians 9:6

 

Eventually, Paul even has some good things to say about John Mark, implying that a change had occurred.

2 Timothy 4:11

 

It is a shame that more brethren don’t learn this valuable lesson Can you disagree peacefully with a brother in Christ? Can you disagree peacefully with anyone? 

 

 

The separation of Paul and Barnabas actually allowed more good works to be done. Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus. Paul and Silas went to Syria and Cilicia.

 

This means that what started out as  one group in one area turned into two groups in two areas. This is a case of multiplication by division.

 

This is a great example of how God in His providence can make all things work together for good. 

Romans 8:28

 

God can make good things happen despite our petty differences.

 

In the end, Barnabas’ approach paid off. While we should not charge Paul with sin because he made a judgment call, we can say that his judgment did not help Mark become the person he ended up becoming.

 

On the other hand, Barnabas’ judgment seems to have helped John Mark to grow. This did not make Paul wrong or sinful. It did show that  Barnabas’ had better judgment in this situation than Paul did. 

 

 

If we would stop and think about it, this text provides some valuable instructions to us. When we differ in matters of judgment, we need to first recognize that it is just that. It’s just a matter of judgment.

 

Then, if we find that we  must separate, we should do so peacefully, without bitterness and without smearing the other party

 

. Who knows. Maybe God can use our foolish disagreement to further the cause of Christ. 

 

Will we learn this lesson?