Different opinions and God's providence (Acts 15:36-41)

[Stephan Choe]

September 8, 2023

Leading verse 37-38:  "But Barnabas wanted them to take with them also John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul did not think it right to take with them anyone who had left them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work."

Should or can co-workers in a work of God always agree? Or does disagreement among missionary workers have a negative effect?

Today we want to learn from the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas. In doing so, we want to learn about God's providence regarding their disagreement. 

J studied theology and flew to South China with his wife. Their second child stayed in Korea and attended middle school. Once they arrived in China, they had to fight hundreds of cockroaches in their apartment during the night. J could not sleep properly because he had to fight the cockroaches all night. Therefore, he got thick blisters on his lips. And his wife had to suffer diarrhea and cold. But he reported that the first service was very gracious.

This is an example of how missionary work is fraught with various difficulties.

Paul and Barnabas experienced another difficulty. The two of them were actually good co-workers for missionary work. The two were a dream missionary team, so to speak. Paul had been a persistent persecutor of Christians. When he suddenly encountered the resurrected Jesus Christ and became a Christian because of it, most Christians were suspicious of him. But Barnabas believed in the authenticity of his conversion and introduced him to other Christians as a convert. Because of his introduction, Christians were able to accept Paul as a brother. And the two then worked well together for the mission. The two were a dream team, so to speak.

But today's text tells us about the dispute between the two because of the difference of opinion and their separation. Their disagreement arose because of John Mark.

After Paul and Barnabas delivered the letter of the apostles, Paul suggested to Barnabas that they visit the churches they had planted on the first missionary journey and see if they were doing well.

Barnabas thought this was good and wanted to take John, who had the surname Mark, with them on this trip as well.

Verse 38 tells us that Paul did not think it was right to take John Mark with them on the missionary journey. John Mark had left the mission trip team during the first mission trip in Pamphylia because he was afraid of danger.

But Barnabas really wanted to take John Mark to the mission trip. Barnabas was an uncle of John Mark. Moreover, Barnabas was understanding in character. He wanted to give John Mark a second chance. Because he thought that a missionary can sometimes become discouraged because of fear. So he was of the opinion that a weak missionary should be helped with understanding. Therefore, he meant that it was according to the mind of Christ that they give John Mark a second chance.

But Paul meant differently. He said that it was not right to take John Mark with them because Mark had left the mission trip team last time in the face of danger. Paul was thinking of the dangerous task of the mission. He was probably thinking of the countless people who would be saved by the gospel. And this missionary work was fraught with great danger. If any missionary would be fearful, the missionary team cannot fulfill the missionary tasks properly. The missionaries should remain strong in faith in order to save many with the gospel. Therefore, the missionaries are ready to suffer because of the gospel. It was for this reason that Paul had previously said in Antioch, "We must enter the kingdom of God through many tribulations" (14:22).

Each opinion of theirs had a good rationale. But a single missionary team of two missionaries could not realize the two opposing opinions at the same time. So each had to choose his direction. This was a "reality." Because of such reality, differences of opinion or quarrels often arise.

It was no exception with Paul and Barnabas. Verse 39 reports that a heated argument ensued, so that they separated from each other: Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed for Syria and Cilicia, after the brethren had commended him to the Lord's grace.

Luke, the author of the Acts of the Apostles, does not take sides with any of the disputing missionaries. Nor does he conceal the dispute from us, but he gives a factual and brief account.

This is to help us understand difference of opinion or dispute between believers.

Cooperation should be encouraged if it is possible. Of course, we are to make an effort to understand the opinion of others and to agree. But everyone is allowed to express his own opinion before the team becomes united. This is positive.

From a long perspective, we can say that God used the differences of opinion of Barnabas and Paul for the best for the salvation of people. Paul had great zeal for the salvation of many people all over the world. He used his whole life for the mission. He meant that missionaries should be devoted and courageous.

Missionaries should not be shaken by the adverse situation of the world. Rather, they should preach the gospel boldly to save people.

At that time, missionary work involved great danger to life. It is still connected with various difficulties and dangers today. It is known that in addition to the illnesses, the missionaries can become psychologically ill because of the culture shock, hatred, or persecution. Statistics show that about 20 percent of missionaries become physically ill. Thus, missionary work is fraught with danger and cultural shock. People will ask whether a person who could be influenced by such danger could also function as a missionary. Paul would answer "no," but Barnabas would answer "yes."

We ask ourselves whether only people with strong nerves should work as missionaries. The Bible's answer is "Jain."

In a sense, Paul was right when he said that missionaries should be strong and devoted in order to fulfill the missionary task. Barnabas was also right when he meant that weak people should also participate in the mission, because strong people also have a weak time.

This Acts of the Apostles tells us that Paul and Barnabas separated into two mission teams after this heated argument. Barnabas chose John Mark as his missionary co-worker and went to Cyprus. Cyprus was his birthplace. Paul, however, chose Silas. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches he and Barnabas had planted on the earlier missionary journey.

This story shows us that God used both Paul and Barnabas well for the world mission. God used Paul and his active character well to evangelize the whole world. God also used Barnabas to restore John Mark as a gospel worker. Luke, the author of Acts did not write more about the work of Barnabas or John Mark. But Paul himself later wrote from his prison in Rome in his second letter to Timothy as follows:

"Mark, take to you and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry" (2 Tim. 4:11).

This shows that John Mark, who was helped to cooperate for the gospel by the help of Barnabas, later became a comfort and help to Paul and still others such as Peter (cf. 1 Pet 5:13).

So Mark John later became a good co-worker for Paul and other apostles like Peter. Mark later traveled to Egypt and worked for the African mission. According to tradition, Mark founded the church in Alexandria and suffered martyrdom in 63[1].

It is good that in the first Christianity there was not only Paul, but also Barnabas. Without the mercy of Barnabas, there would not have been John Mark in the first Christian community, and there would not have been the Gospel of Mark.

But without the devoted efforts of Paul, the active Christian mission in the first century would not have existed. This shows that God uses both strong Christians like Paul and weak Christians like John Mark well as gospel workers. And the difference of opinion between Paul and Barnabas worked for the best for us by the providence of God.

Our God needed both the devoted missionaries like Paul and understanding gospel workers like Barnabas. God is for the harmonious work with diversities. The problem is that in reality, we are forced to choose between working devotedly for the gospel or working considerately with weak mission workers. Each of Paul and Barnabas had to choose one in reality, either to do devoted missionary work or to be considerate of the weak coworker, like John Mark. And everyone needs conviction of his opinion. In general, without conviction, a person cannot actively do anything. However, the problem is that no human being is great understanding broad-minded like God.

What can we do? We should realize our limitations. Everyone should actively work with his personal conviction. But if possible, we should appreciate the other opinion of others. We should pray to God, "Thy will be done!"

Finally, we are to remember God's word in Rom 8:28:

"But we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

We are to examine ourselves to see if we mean out of love for God or out of love for us. We are to believe in God's providence, who works all things for the best.

May God give us great joy in His best providence.

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[1] http://www.kopten.de/stmarkus/markus.htm