Strengthening

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

STRENGTHENING

Acts 15:36-41

36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers 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 brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

NIV

What do we say about this sharp disagreement? Can we observe a difference of opinions without thinking there was sin within either of their hearts? Both Paul and Barnabas were devoted men of God, but how do we justify Paul's not wanting to trust John Mark because he had deserted them? Was there anger in the sharp disagreement between them? Did Paul harbor ill feelings about John Mark, or unforgiveness because of his deserting them, and not continuing with the work of the ministry? We might try to answer these questions based on our own thoughts about relationships within the community of faith. Can we have a sharp disagreement over a church issue and not get upset, angry, or have hurt feelings, even to the point of either leaving or splitting the church? Are we judging Paul and Barnabas based on our sense of right and wrong? In the Greek text, there is only one word that means excitement in a positive sense, but is used in a negative sense as irritation. Either way it is used in this text, it does not imply a sinful argument that leads to a permanent, never-speak-to-each-other-again anger. Nevertheless, the lesson we can learn is that we can have different thoughts about the ministry of the church without getting all bent out of shape. Paul and Barnabas both concluded it would be best to split up, each with their companion. This could also have been possible; the lord's hand was in this, as there was one team, now there were two teams, which were able to cover more churches in a shorter amount of time. However, is it right to think the Lord would agree with any contention or disagreement that leads to splitting up? Is it right to think that Paul never forgave John Mark, or that he just was not able to trust him again? In Paul's letter to the Colossians, he mentions John Mark, Barnabas's cousin, in a positive light. This also sheds light on why Barnabas chose John Mark to travel with him. From that letter, we also see that Paul asks the  Colossian church to welcome John Mark, as they had received instructions about him. Therefore, we know disagreements are not meant to lead to unforgiveness, with hard feelings, or permanent separation. The basic underlying truth is that the churches were strengthened. That is the key to what should motivate our intentions concerning the church: to strengthen it, build it up, and encourage one another.