Acts 15:36-41

Luke did not write these verses by accident. He knew what he was writing, and he had a reason for writing them. He could have ignored the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas completely. He could have softened the extent of the disagreement, or he could have written a sermon about living righteous in the midst of conflict. However, he did not write less and he did not write more. Therefore, we should not read more into the conflict than is written, and we must be careful not to downplay the intensity of the conflict.

Paul and Barnabas were men of faith and righteousness. They had a sharp disagreement, and yet Luke did not describe either as behaving, or as speaking sinfully. These verses illustrate that godly people can have a strong disagreement and remain righteous. However, nothing in this story says that it is easy to do. Whenever we have strong feelings and reasons for a disagreement, we also have a strong temptation to say things we should not say and to do things we should not do.

Barnabas and John Mark were family; they were cousins. Barnabas’ personality and ministry focused upon encouraging others. He saw including Mark in the upcoming journey as an opportunity to strengthen Mark’s faith and to help him grow in faithfulness. His focus was upon ministering to young and immature Christians. His ministry worked; Mark grew to become a man that Paul admired.

Paul’s focus was upon establishing a solid foundation in the churches they planted and evangelizing the gentiles. On his last journey, a mob stoned him. He both thought and felt that John Mark was unreliable and would put their missionary journey at risk.

Both men believed they were right, and neither would change their mind. God did not decide for them. They disagreed, but they remained in Christian unity. Conflict in their relationship was the exception and not the norm. Their conflict resulted in two missionary teams instead of one. In the midst of conflict, God is still working.