In Acts 15 the fledging church faced a severe doctrinal challenge that struck at the heart of what it meant to be a follower of Christ. Did a person have to convert to Judaism? Was Jesus’ salvation enough or were works needed in addition to the work of Christ? Leaders in the church met and in the multitude of counsel, they found safety.
Peter spoke first and focused on God’s known will. He reminded them of what God had done in the past in his own life and the subsequent salvation of the Gentile, Cornelius.
Paul and Barnabus spoke second and focused on God’s active work in the present. They reported on the results of their missionary trip which saw predominantly Gentiles come to faith in Jesus.
James spoke last and focused on God’s revealed Word and prophecies of a future union between Gentile and Jew in the kingdom.
Along with other leaders, they prayed, fellowshipped, discussed, and found a solution.
With decrees in hand from the apostles and leaders of the Jerusalem church Paul, Barnabas, and representatives from the church made their way to Antioch. They shared the good news that the Good News was for all, Gentile and Jew alike, and the Good News was that salvation was by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
A doctrinal disagreement had been resolved, but a non-doctrinal dispute was on the horizon.
(Acts 15:36) The Desire
In Acts 15:35 it is recorded that Paul and Barnabas worked in the Antioch church along with many others. Previous descriptions of this church paint a picture of a healthy, thriving, growing church. Paul looked at the abundance of workers and something stirred in him to go to the regions beyond. It was not in Paul’s DNA to stay still. His calling was of a true evangelist, to go where Christ had not been preached. And, so, he goes to his dear friend, Barnabas, and suggests,
“Let us go again…”
He wanted to see how the young believers and congregations were and help them to become more established. Barnabas shared his burden, but a conviction of his own was to bring about the non-doctrinal dispute.
(Acts 15:37) The Disagreement
Barnabas, the Son of Consolation, the encourager, the perpetual optimist, had determined that his nephew, Mark, should travel with them again.
Barnabas saw the potential in Mark. As a faithful, mature saint with integrity, this was not just some expression of family favoritism. Barnabas truly believed Mark had a future in the Lord’s work. He saw in Mark great potential. He saw what Mark could be, not what he had been and what he was. Barnabas probably also knew that for the long-term good of the church people would need a second chance or they would quickly burn through any and all volunteers.
“But Paul…”
Luke’s record brings the disagreement into full view. I have to wonder how many times Barnabas said those words as they argued, as this disagreement boiled over into a sharp contention.
“We cannot take Mark with us. He abandoned us in Pamphylia. He can’t be trusted.”
“But Paul, don’t you remember you were once not trusted and I stuck up for you.”
“Mark cannot come. We are not taking HIM! The work is too important to risk on weak men.”
“But Paul, he is not weak, he’s just young.”
“We need men who will blaze a new path and do the work now!”
“But Paul, he’s grown and he’s ready now.”
Two good men who had just been instrumental in reconciling a serious doctrinal issue were now dividing over a secondary issue – who should be on their team. The best of men are still just men.
(Acts 16:39-41) The Departure
The pair allowed their dispute to divide them and soon they would head in opposite directions.
Barnabas teamed up with Mark and they headed west to Cyprus. Paul and Silas made a different team and headed north before making their way eastward. Both teams revised cities and congregations from the first journey.
It is possible that the two teams were God’s plan all along, but instead of reaching this conclusion by prayerful discernment, they fell into it through a disagreement.
Barnabas was right. Mark deserved a second chance. Gideon, David, and Jonah all got second chances. Why not Mark? We know that God had not finished with Mark. Paul and Barnabas went their separate ways around A.D. 48. After working with Barnabas for a time he joined up with Peter and ministered with him. According to tradition, Mark wrote his account of the Gospel, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, around A.D. 55-59.
Perhaps Paul was right as well. Mark may not have been suited to the personality and style of Paul, a driven force of nature. All believers are to love one another, but sometimes we must “forbear” one another. Just because we love one another does not mean we can always work closely with one another. Later, Paul did reconcile with both Barnabas and Mark. Paul speaks highly of Barnabas (1 Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 2:13) and also of Mark (2 Timothy 4:11; Colossians 4:10; Philemon 23-24).
It’s also important to note that the dispute, though sharp, did not devolve into bitterness. Lesser men would have founded separate denominations whose proteges would share their contention. Yet, later, Mark and Silas would work side-by-side.
We will not know all the details of this disagreement until we get to glory. We will not know for certain if Paul was in the right or Barnabas or perhaps both? But we do know that though they fought, they would later reconcile and the cause of Christ was not hindered.
In a second post on this text, I want to suggest what we can learn from them and how we avoid and resolve non-doctrinal disputes in our own lives.
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