They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Acts 15:39 (NIV)
Paul and Barnabas had worked together for a long time. It had been a happy and fruitful partnership. They taught together in Antioch (Acts 9:27); went on a missionary journey together (Acts 13:2); saw miracles happen together (Acts 15:12); and faced persecution together (Acts 13:50).
But when it came time to launch out into the next chapter of ministry, they disagreed about what to do. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them on their next journey, but Paul didn’t think it wise to take him because he had deserted them in Pamphylia (Acts 15:36-38). Barnabas wanted to give John Mark another chance, but Paul didn’t want to make the same mistake twice.
These two godly men couldn’t agree. Who was right? The Bible doesn’t say, and frankly it doesn’t matter. You need to know there will be times when godly people have genuine disagreements about how the work of the gospel should best move forward. And if it can’t be resolved, it may cause them to part company.
If that happens, you should not be unsettled in your faith, nor should you be surprised if differences in vision and values lead to separation.
Although some in the church at Antioch must have felt this was the ultimate disaster, God’s grace brought a better outcome. Barnabas went with John Mark, who eventually wrote what became known as the Gospel of Mark. And Paul found a new apprentice named Timothy.
At the end of his life, Paul wrote to Timothy asking, “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Tim. 4:11). In the end, there was real reconciliation between them.
Do disagreements in the church tend to unsettle you? How could this help you in the future?
