Controversy among co-workers
Acts 15:35-41; 11/26/2023; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
Controversies in the church seem to be a common occurrence and should not be surprising. The argument between Paul and Barnabas in the scripture is also a common and reasonable thing. Let’s look at the first point:
Planning to hit the road again
Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch this time because they were sent by the church in Jerusalem. Not only that, but Judah and Silas were also accompanying him. First, still living in Antioch. Judging from the previous chapter 15:30, the four of them came to Antioch as sent by the church in Jerusalem. The apostles of the church wrote letters and entrusted them to give to the believers in Antioch and other places. Of course, the letter also sends greetings to the Gentile brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Therefore, Antioch was only the first stop on their trip. The reason for writing the letter is what the scripture says: “We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. (Acts 15:24)” This is the church’s principle of dealing with things, which is to be frank and transparent in everything and face it with courage.
Secondly, the Holy Spirit moves them out. The short-term mission team members completed their mission of delivering the letters, and some went back. The Bible says that Silas stayed with Paul and Barnabas and continued to serve the local brothers and sisters in Antioch. The Bible says that they served in Antioch for a period of time, but the Bible does not say how long. Anyway, after some time, the Holy Spirit began to move Paul. Paul said to Barnabas, We can go back to the cities where the word of the Lord was preached in the past and see how the brothers are doing. The Holy Spirit reminded them to start thinking about the brothers, sisters and gospel friends they met on their last missionary journey. Seleucia was not far from Antioch, the port from which they last sailed. If you stand on the seaside and look towards Cyprus, you may be able to see the harbor of Salami. In any case, the Holy Spirit is moving them to go out through the Great Commission, so you should go!
Finally, return to the missionary journey. At this time, they had not left home yet, but their hearts were already on a missionary journey. Perhaps Paul recalled the false prophet Bar-Jesus who met in Paphos in Cyprus and actually resisted the apostles, trying to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Paul even pronounced a curse on him, making him blind. He was temporarily darkened, and the proconsul believed in the Lord. Leaving Cyprus, he reached the other side, entered Turkey, came to Pisidian Antioch, preached in the synagogue, and spoke words that were heart-wrenching. Paul’s message on his first missionary journey was deafening, and he spoke of God’s patience. In particular, there are three periods of tolerance for God’s people: one is the forty years in the wilderness, the other is the four hundred and fifty years in the book of Judges, and the third is the forty years of Saul’s reign. This is the sedimentation of information from the first missionary journey that continues to play a role in influencing the church and deepening its history. Let’s look at the second point:
Mark becomes the focus
Mark, also called John, one of the New Testament members, Mary, was his mother and Barnabas’ cousin. His home was called Mark’s House by the New Testament church. The place Jesus commanded to be used for the Last Supper was also the place chosen for the coming of the Holy Spirit and Pentecost. First, Barnabas intended to support. Barnabas’ “son of comfort” character or gift made it easier for him to forgive Mark. It’s not that he doesn’t know Mark’s weakness or failure, but he wants to give him a chance to repent. Mark’s family was relatively prosperous financially, and he could be considered a rich second generation. It’s inevitable to be arrogant and coquettish at the same time, and he can’t stand any setbacks in Cyprus. As soon as he landed in Pamphylia, Perga abandoned the short-term missionary team and left. It’s possible that he didn’t even say hello and left without saying goodbye. I guess Mark was firstly unable to bear the toil of traveling, secondly he felt uncomfortable with Paul’s curse on Bar-Jesus in Cyprus which blinded him, and thirdly he was dissatisfied with Paul’s loose and unplanned missionary approach.
Secondly, Paul insisted on principles. Of course, it was not so easy for Paul to get through this matter. Paul had very high demands on others and himself, especially himself, which was almost harsh. We can see this from his candid and transparent analysis of himself in Romans 7. He said: “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. (Romans 7:18)” Obviously, Paul had a full understanding of the evil in human nature, including an in-depth criticism of Mark. In addition, Marco did not return to the short-term mission team to confess his sins and repent, so it was not easy to forgive him at this moment. I also have the same recognition or feelings about betrayal, and I also insist on the principle that those who have betrayed will never be hired unless they repent.
Finally, they parted ways due to a dispute. Luke does not seem to take sides in the dispute between Paul and Barnabas. The Bible records, saying: “They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, (Acts 15:39)” I believe it is because the Holy Spirit has a further perspective. God did not look at Mark from the perspective of a one-sided puzzle, but looked at Mark from the perspective of Mark’s life. In fact, Mark himself wrote in Mark 14:51 that he once ran away as a young man. This time he ran away again on the missionary path. God even used Barnabas to train and run with him, even to the point of parting ways with Paul. Let’s look at the third point:
Break up and still hit the road
The first rule of conduct for believers in the church is to look at God rather than people! We can have different views on people and different approaches, but we can never choose to leave God or the church. First, a good judge of talent should fulfill his part. Barnabas was a son of comfort. Facing his cousin Mark, all he could do was cultivate and support him. Why? Maybe we will evaluate Barnabas and admire him based on his excellent character and moral standards, right? In fact, this is our inertia. We are used to observing people and things in this way. However, what we need to adjust even more is to see things from the perspective of Christ. Barnabas is a son of comfort that the gift was given by God, and those who possess such gifts should live to the fullest extent of their gifts. Barnabas had to give an account to God eventually, right? Barnabas did the same to Paul, supporting, helping, comforting, and accompanying him. Now, Mark also encountered such a need, and he was just fulfilling God’s calling.
Secondly, a thoroughbred horse runs a thousand miles. Obviously, Paul did not have the gift of Barnabas; he seemed more like a thorough-bred horse. Paul had a profound experience of fighting on the front line. He knew that he could not do two things at once, let alone desert. In a team, each other’s formation and position are particularly important. Moses held up his staff and needed Aaron’s help to hold his hand. A slight oversight could affect the victory of the entire Israelites. Paul’s trust in Mark was still recovering or waiting. The Bible says that Paul chose Silas to embark on Paul’s second missionary journey. Paul is a thousand-mile horse that can run farther and farther. This time, Paul spread the gospel to Athens, the base camp of European philosophy and thought.
In the end, different paths lead to the same mission. What is very interesting is that this time Paul also headed first towards Tarsus, the place where he grew up, running along the northeastern coast of the Mediterranean, in what is today Turkey and what was then the province of Asia. Barnabas took Mark back to Cyprus, that is, to Kýpros, making up for Paul’s regret of not being able to go to Cyprus. We will find that although Paul and Barnabas chose to separate due to differences of opinion, they became one in the territory of the gospel. What we need to learn here is God’s perspective. Whoever is right or wrong will be judged by the Lord. Today’s gospel mission must not be delayed by our own flesh. Understanding this truth, or treating it as our core value, will save us many detours.
Conclusion
Well, thank the Lord! Co-workers may have different views or opinions, and may even have different choices. But being in Christ is the absolute principle in our lives. Whether you’re going to Cyprus or Athens, it’s all the Lord’s work!
Let us pray ……
Acts 15:35-41
35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”
37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them,
38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.
39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,
40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.
41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
