“And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, …And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus” — Acts 15:36-41
Paul and Barnabas disagreed about taking John Mark along with them on their journey. The disagreement was so sharp that they separated from each other. The Bible does not hide this disagreement, or say the division was right or wrong. Since God does not go into more detail, it would be unwise to determine which person was right, but there are lessons to learn in this story.
- The Division Died.
We never see again in Scripture, or even the way they lived their lives, that this situation is ever brought up again. Neither party wrote letters about the other, made it the topic of their preaching, or attempted to get others to side with them.
Often, when there’s a disagreement, the hurt, anger, or memory of the past division becomes the central topic of conversation.
- The Ministry Continued.
They did not quit ministry altogether because of the division. They continued forward, Paul taking Silas, and Barnabas taking John Mark.
Too often the devil seems to win after a disagreement and division. People become bitter at life, feel wronged, and quit ministry because of a division.
- Fruit was Produced.
Though the contention separated them, it did not stop them or God’s work. They did not become bitter or send rumors or epistles about the wickedness of the other. They continued doing right to such a degree that Paul later sought out John Mark, the same individual that was the reason for the big split, stating that he was “profitable to me for the ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). It seems clear that when the split happened, Barnabas stayed with John Mark teaching, helping, and restoring him from a timid young man to a profitable young man. And John Mark’s return to ministry was not just for his own good, he was profitable to Paul who earlier thought John Mark should not be in ministry (vs. 38). Barnabas encouraged and equipped John Mark, just as he did with others, to the point that John Mark was productive for God’s service.
This shows me firstly that there’s always opportunities for someone to get back on track even after bad decisions. It secondly shows me that a Barnabas-type person is needed to believe in another and help them when they’re down. And lastly, it shows me that when a separation happens, it does not have to consume you to where fruit dies… fruit can continue producing. How one responds to a separation, disagreement, or difficult situation is more important than what initially happens. The right response can cause life, ministry, and fruit to abound instead of ceasing.