Paul and Barnabas had a sharp disagreement over whether to take John Mark on their missionary journey again after he had deserted them previously. As a result, they parted ways, with Barnabas taking John Mark and sailing for Cyprus while Paul chose Silas and left for Syria and Cilicia. Even heroic partnerships like Paul and Barnabas' can fall apart, though Paul later reconciled with both men. It's important to be open to reconciliation and forgive as people and relationships are imperfect.
3. …the Agony of Defeat
ACTS 15 36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go
back and visit the believers 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
believers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria
and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
4. Paul’s History with John Mark
• New Gentile church in Antioch, had sent Paul and Barnabas to
the Jerusalem ‘Mother’ Church with a donation (11:27-30).
• Paul and Barnabas then returned to Antioch, with a member
of the Jerusalem church in tow named John Mark (12:25).
• When Antioch’s church sent them on their first missionary
journey, John Mark went too as their helper (13:4-5). But
shortly after a successful power-encounter with a Jewish
sorcerer on Cyprus (13:6f), John Mark bailed on them.
ACTS 13 13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to
Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to
Jerusalem. [Reason never stated]
5. The Part of THJ’s That He Missed
• John Mark had returned to Jerusalem and was there
when Paul and Barnabas participated in the
Jerusalem Council. Afterwards, Barnabas wanted to
bring John Mark with them, but Paul sharply
disagreed.
• By abandoning them, this is what John Mark missed:
– Being persecuted and expelled from Antioch
– Fleeing for their lives from Iconium
– Being stoned and left for dead (Paul) in Lystra
– Retracing steps to encourage new believers (Acts 14:21-28)
6. Even Heroic Partnerships Fall Apart
• Paul and Barnabas split up after being launched
together in mission, even after going through so
much together.
– Not over doctrine or about power or difference of vision.
Over whether to reinstate a ‘helper.’
– Before he died, Paul reconciled with both people.
• Churches split, ministry partnerships dissolve, best
friends go their separate ways. Reasons aren’t
always known or ever fully understood.
– Must be open to Spirit’s work of
reconciliation/restoration.
7. Learning to Forgive My Father
“As you grow older, one of the
most important things you
must do is to see your parents
as flawed people who did the
best they could with what
they had and to forgive
them.”
