Paul and Barnabas Part Ways

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 15:30-41, 16:1-5

 

Acts 16:4-5

And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. ⁵ So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in number daily.

(NKJV)

 

After the Jerusalem Council and the resulting Jerusalem Decree, the church was strengthened and continued to grow. However, a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas could have done irreparable damage to the church continuing its mission of spreading the gospel. While Satan intended to use this disagreement to damage the church, the Lord used it to strengthen the church and bring growth in numbers.

 

Paul and Barnabas returned from Jerusalem to Antioch and delivered the letter regarding the Jerusalem Decree, with the church rejoicing over its encouragement (Acts 15:30-31). Judas and Silas, who were prophets, also exhorted and strengthened the brethren in Antioch, and after staying there awhile, returned to Jerusalem (Acts 15:32-33). However, it seemed good to Silas to remain in Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, preaching and teaching the Word of God alongside many others (Acts 15:34-35).

 

Paul then told Barnabas that they should go back and visit the brethren in every city they had visited and preached the word of the Lord, to see how they were doing (Acts 15:36). Barnabas was determined to take John/Mark with him, but Paul insisted they should not take him since he had left them in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13; 15:37-38). The contention between Paul and Barnabas became so heated that they parted ways, with Barnabas sailing to Cyprus with John/Mark and Paul going with Silas to strengthen the churches in Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:39-41).

 

Paul and Silas came to Derbe and Lystra where they met a disciple named Timothy, whose father was Greek and whose mother was a Jewish believer (Acts 16:1). Timothy was spoken well of by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium (Acts 16:2). Paul decided he wanted to take Timothy with him, but since his father was Greek, he had Timothy circumcised because of the Jews in the region (Acts 16:3). As Paul, Silas, and Timothy went through the cities, they delivered the decrees from the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, with the churches strengthened in the faith and increasing in numbers daily (Acts 16:4-5).

 

After the drafting of a letter proclaiming the Jerusalem Decree, Paul, Barnabas, Judas, and Silas deliver the letter to the disciples in Antioch, where it is received with gladness (Acts 15:31). Paul then tells Barnabas he wants to go back and visit the brethren in every city in which they had preached the word, but Barnabas is determined to take John/Mark with them. Paul disagrees with Barnabas over this because John/Mark had left them in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13). This disagreement caused Paul and Barnabas to separate, with Barnabas going to Cyprus with John and Paul going with Silas to Syria and Cilicia to strengthen the churches there. This division was not over doctrine but instead over who should accompany them, with Paul not able to forgive John for leaving them in Pamphylia. Paul and John/Mark later reconciled, with Paul telling the Colossians to welcome him (Colossians 4:10). This division was used by God to make it possible for Paul to meet Timothy, the man who would become Paul's protégé.

 

Divisions in the church are not a promotion of the unity Jesus envisioned for the church (John 13:34-35). These divisions are especially dangerous when they are over doctrine, as occurred over the need for the Gentile believers to be circumcised (Acts 15:1-2). The Jerusalem Council and its decree are examples to the church on how to resolve doctrinal differences without a schism occurring in the church. The division between Paul and Barnabas was due to Paul being unable to forgive John/Mark for leaving them in Pamphylia. While the separation of Paul and Barnabas was unfortunate, it did allow Paul to meet Timothy and groom him for ministry. This type of division occurs when someone leaves a church to plant a church in another city or become a missionary. We hate to see them go, but must understand it is part of God’s plan for spreading the gospel. However, if the separation is due to unforgiveness, there must be reconciliation, which did occur between Paul and John/Mark (Colossians 4:10). 

 

While church history is full of division, Jesus is still the only way to salvation (John 14:6), with the church given the mission of declaring this message to the world (Mark 16:15). The church is made up of flawed people who will have disagreements, this should not stop one from finding forgiveness from their sins and eternal life through believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10). If you are reading this and have not prayed to accept the gift of salvation offered by Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23), I invite you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

This prayer is not some magical prayer, but it must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why you prayed, rest assured, your sins are completely forgiven, and you have eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also urge you to find a church of truth that teaches from the Bible and is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.