A DISAGREEMENT: MARK P/2

 

                                       

                                                                               Read Part One HERE

A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS 

                      PART XV - VI

"It is a sad day for me, Paul, for Barnabas and I have separated.... It is not what I wanted.... But I think that under the circumstances it is better for us to go our separate ways... I trust the Lord will continue to bless both our ministries.... It may just be that we cannot agree because we have different gifts... Barnabas is a great encourager as I well know.... After all, he was the one who was not afraid of me when I first arrived in Jerusalem... And he came to look for me when I was in Tarsus.... But I know I am to be focused on the ministry the Lord has given me... That means I need people with me who are as committed as I am... I don't believe Mark has that ability... Of course, I may be wrong.... Only time will tell.... In the meantime Iwill take Silas with me... We will soon leave.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn the reasons why Paul and Barnabas may have had such a sharp disagreement....

                  ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS     

                                                              PART XV - VI

The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas may have happened in part because of their particular personalities and giftings. Paul was very focused on his ministry and he could not afford to have someone on his team he could not rely on. Barnabas' special gift was that of encouraging others as you can know from Acts 9:23-27

After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him (Paul), but Saul (Paul) learned of their plans. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the Apostles. He told them how Saul (Paul) on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.

And Acts 11:25

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul (Paul).

And Mark was a relative of Barnabas as you can know from Colossians 4:10

"My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him)."

Vere likely, that is why Barnabas wanted to give Mark another change, but Paul did not want to risk it. However, Barnabas did the right thing by taking Mark with him for eventually he proved very helpful to Paul as you can know from 2 Timothy 4:22 where Paul wrote:

"Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry."

And Mark is the author of the Gospel of Mark.

Thankfully, God continued to bless the ministries of Paul and Barnabas, despite their disagreement. Both men ended up selecting their own partner to travel with. In the case of Paul, he had Silas travel with him.