“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, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 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; and Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches,” Acts 15:36-41.
(Robert Murray M‘Cheyne’s Bible Reading Calendar-15th January 2025)
Even in the halcyon days of the Holy Ghost empowered apostolic age, there were disputes amongst the brethren. Faithfulness to God and His will brings one into conflict with those less inclined to seek to rigidly abide by the plain Word of God.
Compromise is ever suggested to us by the flesh when we find ourselves caught between God’s will and that which is more pleasing to ourselves and those whom we would seek to please.
The incident before us here in Acts chapter 15 records that which has been repeated ‘ad nauseam’ throughout the ages!
Paul, moved by a concern for recent converts, suggests to his hitherto faithful companion in the service of God that they retrace their steps and visit those they had been the means of leading to Christ and ‘ see how they do’.
It immediately becomes obvious that poor Barnabas was harbouring some resentment regarding a sad incident which took place during their first missionary journey. It was a journey initiated by the Lord.
“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away,” Acts 13:1-3.
I. IT WAS ON THIS JOURNEY THAT LEADERSHIP AND GOD-GIVEN AUTHORITY OF PAUL WAS MANIFESTED.
1. It is to be noted that Saul at the first is given a lesser prominence than Barnabas. Verse 1 has Barnabas mentioned first and Saul last! Again, in verse 2 the Lord refers to Barnabas before Saul. This order is repeated in verse 7.
But it changed thereafter! (more…)
