Conflict between Brethren
Background:
Paul and Barnabas
are sent on what is commonly called Paul’s First Missionary Journey
by the church at Antioch. (Acts
13) Preaching the Word of God in such
places as the Island of Cyprus, and cities such as Perga, Iconium,
Lystra, and Derbe, many became believers and were added to the
Lord’s church. When they returned to Antioch, they reported all
that had happened and how the door of faith had been opened to the
Gentiles. (Acts
14:26-27)
“From there they
sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God
for the work which they had completed. Now when they had come and
gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done
with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the
Gentiles.” NKJV
Paul and Barnabas
are sent to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles and elders
concerning some fake teachers who were saying that one had to still
keep the Law of Moses to be saved. (Acts
15:22-34) After this was taken care
of, they return to Antioch and stay for some time.
Text:
Acts 15:35-41
Body:
I.
Exegesis of the Text
Acts 15:35
“Paul and
Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word
of the Lord, with many others also.” NKJV
While we do not know how long they remained in
Antioch, it is very likely that Paul wrote his letter to the
Christians in Galatia during this period. If so, the events
recorded in
Galatians 2:11-14 probably also
occurred during this time.
Galatians 2:11-14
“Now when
Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he
was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would
eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated
himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest
of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even
Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that
they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said
to Peter before them all. If you being a Jew, live in the manner of
Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as
Jews?" NKJV These events may have
at least partly influenced what happens in
Verses 36-41
of Acts 15.
Paul must have been both disappointed and hurt by Barnabas’s actions
– playing the hypocrite.
Acts 15:36
“Then after
some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us now go back and visit our
brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord,
and see how they are doing.’ ” NKJV
After preaching and teaching in Antioch for some
time, Paul decided it was time to retrace the steps of their last
journey to see how the new converts to Christ were doing. He wanted
to confirm if they were maturing, staying faithful to the Lord.
Note that we cannot ignore those we baptize into Christ; we must
feed and nurture them. Remember
Matthew 28:19-20.
“Go therefore
and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you
always, even to the end f the age.’ Amen” NKJV
Acts 15:37-38
“Now Barnabas,
was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul
insisted that they should not take with them the one who had
departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the
work.” NKJV We learn from
Colossians 4:10
that John Mark was Barnabas’ cousin, a part of his family.
Colossians
4:10
“Aristarchus my
fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about
whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him).”
NKJV Barnabas agreed that this
second trip was a good idea, but stipulated that Mark go with them
as he had on parts of the first journey. Read
Acts 13:13.
“Now when Paul
and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia;
and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.” NKJV
For some reason, Mark left and went
home. He did not go on with them to the work. He may have left
because of fear of what was ahead, of possible dangers. Or maybe
the mission work was too difficult and demanding. For whatever
reason, he left. Regardless, Paul did not think the reason
was good enough. Words of
Luke 9:62 may have been
in his mind.
“. . .No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is
fit for the kingdom of God.” He may
have thought he would be a hindrance to the work, and not an asset.
He was not dependable. Paul thought the work far too important to
risk taking Mark.
Barnabas thought his cousin deserved a second chance
to atone for leaving on the first journey. He may have had in mind
Matthew 5:7.
“Blessed are
the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
He may have thought that if they rejected him now, his young faith
may falter.
Original language – Barnabas kept insisting
they take Mark and Paul kept insisting they wouldn’t!
Acts
15:39-41
“Then the contention
became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas
took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed,
being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. And he went
through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.” NKJV
The humanness of each man is seen.
There was a sharp clash of opinions. Angry feelings were aroused
with heated exchange. There was probably loss of temper with loud
words and improper feelings for two friends who were also
Christians. It became apparent that their differences could not be
resolved, at least for now. They decided to split up the work and
go separate ways. Barnabas took John Mark and went to Cyprus while
Paul chose Silas and went through areas of Syria and Cilicia.
II.
Lessons to Be Learned
1.
Disagreements will occur between brethren. Nothing
is wrong with this as long as they are concerning matters of
judgment [opinions]. We must agree on matters of doctrine.
Otherwise, we cannot be in fellowship. (II
John 9-11)
“Whoever transgresses
and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He
who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the
Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do
not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him
shares in his evil deeds.” NKJV
We should always keep in mind that matters of personal preference
are just that – personal preference. These should never separate
brethren. We should be tolerant.
2.
When conflicts do occur, we must still act
Christ-like. Paul and Barnabas’ disagreement should never have gone
as far as it did.
Recall
Ephesians 4:26,
29,
31-32.
“ ‘Be angry,
and do not sin’ do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 29 Let no
corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for
necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 31
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put
away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave
you.” NKJV As so often happens
today when two brothers disagree, neither one quits working for the
Lord or tries to hurt the other in some way. Apparently no
grudges were held, for later Paul refers to Barnabas’ serving the
Lord. (I
Corinthians 9:6)
“Or is it only
Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working?” NKJV
3.
Disagreements between brethren may be used by
God to bring about good. Certainly God did not cause Paul and
Barnabas to have this conflict, but He may have used it for His
purposes. Paul and Silas began a great mission effort into Greece
and Macedonia while Barnabas’ efforts to encourage John Mark bore
great fruit. He wrote the Gospel of Mark and was a coworker with
the apostle Peter. (I
Peter 5:13)
“She who is in
Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my
son.” NKJV This is referred to by
Paul as a fellow worker for the Kingdom of God. (Colossians
4:10-11)
“Aristarchus my
fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about
whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him).
And Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers
for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved
to be a comfort to me.” NKJV
Shortly before Paul’s death, he says the following:
II Timothy 4:11
“Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is
useful to me for ministry.” NKJV
Mark had made quite a turnaround!
Invitation:
Are you holding a grudge against a fellow
brother or sister in Christ? Have you acted Christ-like when you
and a fellow Christian disagreed on some matter of personal
preference? Are you angry without a cause?
Bobby Stafford
February 7,
2016
Acts: Lesson 33
Acts 15:35-41
[Referenced Acts 15:22-34]
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