What should we learn from the account of Paul and Barnabas?

It was important to have the presence of men who were themselves competent witnesses of what had been debated and decided at Jerusalem. This was far more than being the mere and cold bearers of a letter. They knew the motives of the adversaries; they were familiar with the spiritual interests at stake, beside knowing the feeling of the apostles, and of the church at large. These men accordingly accompanied Paul and Barnabas. But this led also, in the wisdom of God, to an important point in the journeyings of the great apostle; for Paul and Barnabas, it is said, "continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also." (What largeness and love! How different from the days when an exclusive title protects unfit or haughty men, and money difficulties hamper both teachers and taught!) "And some days after Paul said to Barnabas" (the younger takes the lead), "Let us go again and visit the brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do."

Paul loved the church; he was not only a great preacher of the gospel, but he was deeply interested in the state of the brethren, and he valued their edification. Barnabas proposed to take with them John, who was also called Mark; Paul, however, would not agree to it. "But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other." The Spirit of God takes good care to record this; it was needful that it should be noted. It should act as a warning; and, on the other hand, it would also prepare the minds of the children of God for the fact, that even the most blessed men may have their difficulties and differences. We must not be too much cast down if we meet with anything of the kind. I do not make this remark in any wise to make light of such disagreements, but alas! we know that these things do arise.

And now, not long after, must there be an open breach as far as concerned joint service between souls so closely and long united? It was even so. At Antioch before they had been separated by the Spirit for the work; there now they parted never to be so joined again. "And Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and evangelising with many others also the word of the Lord. But after some days Paul said to Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren where we have evangelised the word of the Lord, how they fare. And Barnabas wished to take with them also John that was called Mark; but Paul thought proper as to him that withdrew from them from Pamphylia and went not with them to the work, not to take him with them. And a provocation arose, so that they parted from one another, and Barnabas took with him Mark and sailed for Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and set out, commended to the grace of the Lord by the brethren" etc. (vers. 35-39).

There ought not to be a question that Barnabas was wrong, and that Paul was right, in this painful difference. Yea, a principle was at stake, which the Holy Spirit saw fit to record for permanent admonition, even though it laid bare the failure of an eminently blessed witness of Christ. This very fact attests how momentous it must be that other servants of God far below either of those concerned. should take heed. Yet if it had not been here presented with the adequate notice of inspired authority, what on the one hand could have seemed more gracious than that Barnabas should desire a fresh opportunity to efface the past discredit of his cousin? And how many at all times would on the other hand be ready to impute rigour to him whose delight was in grace beyond all other men? But the grace he delighted in was according to truth; both made him all the more jealous for the Lord's glory. From this Barnabas had swerved into amiable feeling where it had no place but was dangerous and evil; whereas the service demanded the power of the Spirit devotedly and without compromise.

Barnabas was quite disposed to accompany Paul in his journey, but he wished to take Mark with him; this, however, was displeasing to Paul, for Mark had left them in the preceding journey at Perga. He had not courage sufficient to confront the difficulties of the work outside of Cyprus. Paul only thought of God, Mark of the circumstances; but it is not thus that difficulties are to be overcome. It is possible that the flesh may have manifested itself in Paul; but at all events he could not boast of being in the right. Paul did not think of the economy entrusted to him, but of what according to faith suited the work - the principle of life and heart necessary to accomplish it. He did not know the results, but what was necessary to produce them. Separation was necessary, and that God had wrought out in him. Still acerbity was unnecessary. At the bottom Paul was right, and the hand of God was with him. Even where the purpose of the heart is just, the flesh may very soon manifest itself.

Barnabas takes Mark his kinsman, and sails to Cyprus his native country. And here we part with Barnabas, that beloved saint and precious servant of Christ! His name is not again mentioned in the Acts. These words "kinsman" and "native country" must be left to speak for themselves to the heart of every disciple who reads these pages. Were we meditating on this painful scene, in place of giving a mere outline of a great history, we might say much on the subject; but we leave it with two happy reflections. 1. That it was overruled for blessing to the heathen, the waters of life now flow in two streams in place of one. This, however, is God's goodness, and gives no sanction to the divisions of Christians. 2. That Paul afterwards speaks of Barnabas with entire affection; and desires that Mark should come to him, having found him profitable for the ministry. (1 Cor. 9:6; 2 Tim. 4:11) We have no doubt that Paul's faithfulness was made a blessing to them both. But the honey of human affections can never be accepted on the altar of God.

Luke, then, was the only companion of the apostle. He had been his fellow-labourer during much of his ministry; he abides with him before his death. But, not content with this, the apostle desires Timothy to take up Mark on his way and bring him along with himself, for he adds with exceeding grace, "he is to me useful for ministry." We know how greatly grieved Paul had been with Mark's desertion in early days, and how it had led even to a breach with Barnabas (Acts 15:37-40). But this was long blotted out by the healing goodness of God. And already the apostle had joined Mark with himself as one of the few fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God which had been a comfort to him; as in the same Epistle to the Colossians he alludes to charges they had received to welcome him if he came to them (Col. 4:10-11). But now he goes farther and reinstates him in personal nearness of service to himself, the very thing in which he had originally failed. In nature a breakdown is irreparable, not so where grace prevails; for "we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Rom. 8:37).

Will those who are sincerely looking for a reawakening of spiritual life and a revival of the work of the Lord, notice that there is an entire absence of any reference to prayer in Acts 15, except it be at the very end of it. In every chapter in this Book of the triumphs of the gospel, except the 5th, prayer has its place until this chapter is reached; but here, instead of prayer, there is "no small dissension and disputation" (v. 2), "much disputing" (v. 7); and most sorrowful of all, "the contention was so sharp between them" (Paul and Barnabas) that they departed asunder one from another" (v. 39). Prayer comes back into its own place in chapter 16, and there trophies are won for Christ, and the gospel proceeds on its triumphant way.

I have no doubt that in the early part of chapter 15 Paul and Barnabas were compelled to earnestly contend for the faith, though "dissension" and "much disputing" have an ugly sound, and reveal the condition of things in the church in Jerusalem. One wonders whether, if there had been more prayer there would not have been less of this fleshly strife, but why did these devoted men who had together hazarded their lives for Christ's sake, quarrel with each other when the great conflict was over? It looks as though the hour of victory was the hour of weakness. However that may be, strife and division took the place of "if two of you shall agree as touching anything that they shall ask." It is a solemn and sobering incident, recorded, surely, that we may learn the great lesson that if the servants of the Lord are to prosper in His work they must pray together. Prayer binds the soul more closely to God, it unites the saints in strong and holy bonds and gives courage and power to their testimony to the world. Dissension separates the soul from God, divides the saints in heart and labour from each other and leaves them weak in the presence of the foe.

And let us learn a serious lesson from this. There have been innumerable discussions among Christians, developing into controversies, and ending in recrimination. Such is the flesh in every one of us. Even Paul and Barnabas were not exempt, as Acts 15:39 shows. So, let us be warned.

There is a weak point in the character of every saint, and in that of Barnabas natural amiability and an affectionate partiality of disposition appear to have been the principal impediments to his efficiency as an uncompromising as well as tender-hearted minister of God. At the bidding of the latter sentiment he consented to dissolve his operative partnership with Paul (Acts 4:39), while the former quality appears to have prevailed on this memorable occasion against the nobler and truer instincts of his faith. Let none think that he stands or can stand as an upright servant of the truth by any other power than immediate faith in Christ. But where was Christ in this sad question? Could the motives and feelings here described have lived and wrought their mischievous effects had He been holding at the time His proper place in the remembrance of these men? Yet they whose unlovely conduct is thus openly exhibited for our admonition by the Spirit are not less generally worthy, for their work's sake, of our loving admiration, and our humble imitation also. Happy they who, warned and instructed by their failure, while escaping the like danger, emulate their general faith.

Thus, in His service, there is such a thing as association, but no bondage about it. Barnabas was free to preach the word as much as ever. There was no lack of saints, of course, to welcome Barnabas, and no want of sinners to be preached to. But Paul would not have Mark forced upon him, and chooses another; and this is an important example for us. How completely does scripture provide both for co-operation and for refusing it! The Lord Jesus keeps His due place, not only in relation to the assembly, laying down how it is to be ordered, but also in relation to ministry, showing how the work is to be carried out on earth. The word of God meets every need.

The issue of agreeing together with other believers is one of the most difficult we face. When should I insist on what I believe to be right, and when should I give way to others who believe something different to be right? Most of the disagreements and divisions among Christians have something of this in them.