Re: Paul and Barnabas
Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 8:46 pm
I agree, regardless of the twisting path it took to get there, ultimately there was reconciliation. We would do well to consider that seriously.ken_sylvania wrote:I wonder if it would have been wise for Paul and Barnabas to allow the church some input into their decision here. Paul and Barnabas were initially sent out by the church, but it almost seems like this second trip was being arranged more on their own.Bootstrap wrote:Here is the text.RZehr wrote:Paul and Barnabus are not Jesus. We don't look to Paul as a perfect example of how to live. I look at this account as a simple acknowledgement of something that happened, and not necessarily as a teaching on the best way to resolve differences. I believe it is incorrect to somehow hold this up as a proof text to condone our inability to get along and work along.
But we are not perfect either and like Paul and Barnabus, we sometimes do the same thing for the same reasons. I see it as a less than perfect option for less than perfect people. It certainly is a better option than continuing to butt heads on issues. Just decide to peacefully and humbly - even strongly - disagree on an issue that is of secondary importance and part ways in order to give each other space to do what each believes best.
This is different than parting over issues of salvation.
What lessons would you draw from that, and how would you apply them?Acts 15:36-41 (ESV) wrote:And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
What did it look like to "part ways"?
After Barnabas and John Mark leave, then we have Paul and Silas being sent off by the church on their journey.
What blesses me the most about this account is actually the follow-up found in 2 Tim 4:11, where Paul instructs Timothy to bring Mark along, as someone who would be helpful to him in the ministry. This suggests that Paul was able to see beyond this disagreement (even though it caused him and Barnabas to part ways for a time) and recognize this young brother's potential.