Expanding Missions Outreach

Acts 15:35-41

“Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.” (Acts 15:35)

Paul and Barnabas had worked together for many years and and had every intention of continuing to do so. When the returned to Antioch, they were active in the ministry of that church, but it soon became apparent that while they could be quite beneficial, their presence was no longer necessary, as the church had other pastors and teachers and no longer required missionaries(evangelists) to thrive.

“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.” (Acts 15:36)

Having seen how easily false doctrine slipped into the churches at Antioch and Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas were aware of how easily the churches they had started could stray from the truth. Paul suggested they revisit each church and see how they were doing, strengthening them in any areas they might be weak.

“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.” (Acts 15:37)

Several years before, when they first were sent as missionaries, in Acts 13, John Mark had accompanied them as an assistant, but returned to Antioch shortly after they started. Remembering how he’d quit the first time, Paul didn’t want to take him along and have to send him back again. He probably was also concerned that Barnabas was letting family relationships influence him as Mark was Barnabas' nephew according to Colossians 4:10.

Barnabas, whose name means, “The son of consolation,” according to Acts 4:36, was just living up to his reputation. He was one of the Spirit filled Christians who gave his belongings to meet the needs of the church at Jerusalem. Later he was the one who the Holy Spirit used to introduce Paul to the apostles in Jerusalem. He was the one the church at Jerusalem sent to help the church in Antioch. While performing that duty, he went to Tarsus to bring Paul to help him, mentoring Paul at the same time. The Holy Spirit then led the church to send them both as missionaries. Now, seventeen years after he first trusted Paul, Barnabas felt led to do the same for John Mark as he’d done for Paul, in trusting him when others would not.

“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 15:39-41)

Even Spirit filled men sometimes succumb to pride or other sin, and Paul and Barnabas were no exceptions. Proverbs 13:10 states “Only by pride cometh contention:…” Because of their pride neither was willing to yield, and they split over the issue. Barnabas took Mark, forming a new missionary team, and sailed to Cyprus to visit the church there and embark on another expedition, mentoring Mark as they went.

Some have proclaimed that by not yielding to the Apostle Paul, Barnabas went against God and that is why he is not mentioned again in scripture. Using that logic, the fact that only Peter, the two James’, and John, of the original apostles are mentioned by name, or only Stephen and Philip of the seven deacons, we could equally well conclude all the others went away from God, but scripture does not support such a conclusion. Proverbs 13:10 concludes, “…but with the well advised is wisdom.” The Holy Spirit led Barnabas to take Mark and mentor him and years later Paul told Timothy, “…Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” While we do not know where Barnabas and Mark ministered, they apparently crossed paths with Paul from time to time.

Had the conflict not arisen, Paul and Barnabas would probably have taken Mark and departed, continuing to work together. Because of the split, two teams were formed, and Silas was taken along by Paul. The Holy Spirit used even a moment of spiritual weakness in Paul and Barnabas to accomplish his purpose. It would lead to others being taken into the ministry as well.
Years after the split between Paul and Barnabas, Paul also referred to Barnabas in I Corinthians 8 as an example for the church at Corinth, even though they had not been together when Paul started the church, implying that the conflict had been resolved and there had been communication and even collaboration between he and Barnabas.