Acts 15:39-40a They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left.
Paul and Barnabas were missionary partners. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2). During their first missionary journey John-Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10) abandoned the team and returned back to Jerusalem. We are unsure why he left but he deserted the team in the middle of their journey. While Paul and Barnabas were packing their bags for the second missionary journey, Barnabas wanted to give John-Mark another chance and take him, but Paul opposed firmly and they had a sharp disagreement hence the team split into two, one under the leadership of Paul and another lead by Barnabas.
Barnabas was a Greek speaking Jew from the Mediterranean Island of Cyprus. He was a well-known, wealthy, and well-educated Levite who was fluent in Hebrew and was thorough in the Jewish laws and customs. The name Barnabas means “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36). After the conversion of Paul, the church was dubious about the born-again fire-breathing-Pharisee and the believers were not convinced to fellowship with him. Barnabas was the only disciple who willingly accepted Paul and advocated for him. Bible scholars believe that both of them were students of Rabbi Gamaliel and were friends through the ‘Semitic Alumni’. After the dissention the powerful preachers parted ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus and Paul continued his journey with Silas. The missionary partnership broke but the Christian brotherhood between Paul and Barnabas continued. Christian traditions state that Barnabas was martyred in Cyprus for his faith, but the Bible does not give us any more details about the missionary journey of Barnabas. Barnabas did not have a travelling journalist like Dr. Luke who accompanied Paul, hence his episode remains unending.
The lessons from this episode of disagreement between the two great leaders:
- Change: “The only constant in life is change.”- Heraclitus. An uncomfortable change is not to crush us but to stretch us. Change brings us out of our comfort zone and launches us into the undefined horizon. The disunion divided the missionaries into two teams; hence more cities and towns could be won for Christ. Change is inevitable.
- Comrades: People change. Those who promised to die with you will dump you at the most crucial circumstance. Don’t become bitter with them. It is wrong to expect comrades to bolster us throughout our journey. Only Christ will never forsake us. Broken partnerships push us closer to the Saviour.
- Challenges: Each season of life has new challenges. Those who cannot change their priorities according to the challenges will be stuck and never move forward. Challenges give us the courage to explore the unknown. Embrace challenges by changing priorities.
The sharp disagreement between two esteemed leaders helped to advance the gospel. Don’t waste the crucible circumstance, clamouring comrades or choking challenges. Change makes us grow into a new season.
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
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