In
Acts 15:36-41, the Bible says, "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.’ 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. 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 com-mended by the brethren to the grace of God. And he
went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches."
The aforementioned passage illustrates several
lessons that are valuable to us.
First, even those who
are close associates and brothers in the Lord can sometimes have pointed
disagreements. Paul and Barnabas had a lot of history together in the
Lord (Acts 9:27; 11:25-26, 28-30; 12:25; 13:2-7, 43-14:28; 15:1-35).
Yet, when their two distinctly different ways of seeing an issue
conflicted, neither caved in to the other’s perspective.
It should be noted that
the nature of the disagreement was more of a personal rather than
doctrinal one. Some key terms show the force of the situation. Barnabas
was, "determined." Paul, "insisted." The "contention became…sharp."
These are extremely strong terms in the Greek, reflecting that the
argument became angry, extreme, and the issue was not reconcilable (at
least at that moment).
Second, sometimes brethren have to separate their company from one
another rather than exist together in conflict. "Can two walk together,
unless they are agreed?" (Amos 3:3). To remain together when contentions
are sharp can be counterproductive. Rather than do this, sometimes the
only reasonable solution is to part.
Third, when brethren do
not agree, this does not stop either of them from going on and doing the
work of the Lord – perhaps apart from one another rather than as a close
team. Paul did not resign his apostleship out of frustration over this
breech. Barnabas did not cease his mission work, nor his encouragement
and utilization of his cousin, John Mark just because Paul did not favor
him (John Mark) as a fitting co-worker. The work of Christ is far bigger
and more important than any personal issues that may arise among His
servants.
Fourth, when brethren
disagree (and perhaps part company because of it) there is no foundation
for either of them to write or speak slanderously of one another. Paul
mentions a situation with Peter in which he refers also to Barnabas, but
not in a context of what happened between he and Barnabas in Acts 15
(Galatians 2:11-16). Later, Paul even writes in commendation of John
Mark, who was the focus of the original disagreement between he and
Barnabas (2 Timothy 4:11; Colossians 4:10).
This fact stands in
condemnation of the poison-filled practice in our brotherhood of one
person publicly, often in print, venting their disdain for another. When
doctrinal error is involved, we are to attempt to help one another see
the error and repent of it (Acts 18:24-28). This should be done with a
heart full of love and concern for the one in error (Jude 22-23).
Disagreements, even in regard to doctrine, must be carried out in a
spirit and tone of brotherhood and not that of two arch enemies doing
battle (2 Thessalonians 3:15).
This incident between
Barnabas and Paul was regrettable. It was not, however, detrimental to
either of them as workers for the Lord or children of God. Separation
and distance can sometimes diffuse a potentially destructive situation,
and thus is a valid method to use when two cannot be agreed. As Abram
said to Lot when the contention arose among their two herdsmen, "Please
let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and
your herdsmen; for we are brethren,..Please separate from me…"
(Genesis 13:8-9).