Paul and Barnabas Separate

³⁶ And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit ⁿthe brothers ^qin every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” ³⁷ Now Barnabas wanted to take with them ^rJohn called Mark. ³⁸ But Paul thought best not to take with them one ^swho had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. ³⁹ And there arose ^ta sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. ^uBarnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, ⁴⁰ but Paul chose Silas and departed, ^vhaving been commended by ^wthe brothers to ^xthe grace of the Lord. ⁴¹ And he went through Syria and Cilicia, ^ystrengthening the churches.

^[1]

Thoughts on a familiar passage in Acts.

Disagreements in ministry are part of the turf

• My failures in ministry have consequences.

• God can and often does overrule these consequences for His kingdom purposes. (He gives beauty for ashes, thank GOD!)

• My failure are NOT fatal (Paul calls John Mark “useful” at the end of his life and sends for him.)

It is unclear if there is a reconciliation between Barnabas and Paul, however Mark’s reinstatement by Paul leads me to believe there was. The disturbing part of separations like this is you do not see the glory of God in peacemaking done enough. However, God's will WILL be done!

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ⁿ[See ver. 32 above]

^qch. 13:4, 13, 14, 51; 14:6, 24, 25

^rSee ch. 12:12

^sch. 13:13

^t[ch. 17:16 (Gk.)]

^u[Col. 4:10]

^vch. 14:26

^wver. 1

^xver. 11; [ch. 11:23]; See Rom. 16:20

^yver. 32; ch. 16:5

• ^[1]The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ac 15:36). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.