THE APOSTLE PAUL, BARNABAS, & MARK ARE UNITED AGAIN AFTER SHARP DISAGREEMENT – HOW? [DEAR BRETHREN 32]

Dear brother,

Once again, we have been broadsided by a Christian stonewaller who insists it’s just fine to be in disunity…to agree to disagree. We effectively dismantled his other arguments we believe against agree on everything. We’re not sure he even read one our many remonstrances since he continued to attack quickly.

But he brought up the example of the “sharp disagreement” between Paul and Barnabas. As you recall in the book of Acts, Paul refused to take Mark since he had deserted their vital work in Pamphylia. Barnabas, Mark’s uncle and an apostle, splits with Paul and takes Mark with him to the island of Cyprus. Paul took Silas and were traveling through Syria and Cilicia.

But at the end of Paul’s life we read in 2 Timothy 4 that he requests Mark to visit him. And, wonder of wonders, they are reconciled and Paul states that Mark is now useful!

2 Timothy 4:11  Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.

Well, then, the question is how did this come to pass?

Of course, we don’t know for certain, but we’ll offer our opinion which we think is sound.

1. Paul states over and over he is a holy saint (Col. 1.12). He has a pure heart (1 Tim. 1.5), and is conscious of nothing against himself (1 Cor. 4.4). His only two uses of “sinner” are in Romans 7 and 1 Timothy 1. Both clearly point to his past life as a reprobate sinner! Barnabas is never said to be like this.
2. Barnabas was carried away in sin with the Galatians circumcision heresy, which Paul states plainly in the book (Gal. 2.13). Paul writes incessantly about unity, being one, and agreeing.
3. Barnabas is Mark’s uncle, and he’s protecting the old blood line family. In Acts 15, he refuses to listen as Paul “kept insisting.” Barnabas leaves with Mark. This must be a bitter pill to swallow for both since Paul and Barnabas were one of the main apostolic teams in Acts.
4. Paul and Silas are “commended by the brethren to the grace of God.” Barnabas and Mark are not.
5. The contentious division takes place in approximately 49AD. Paul writes 1 Corinthians in 55AD and mentions Barnabas in the 9^th chapter. Paul writes 1 Corinthians in 64AD.
6. It follows then somewhere between the division and 1 Corinthians that Paul, Barnabas, and Mark agree to resume fellowship. They have come to agreement on an extremely dicey situation. Praise God!
7. Mark then proves himself over time as being useful for service to Paul. It’s 15 years after the division. It’s noteworthy that at the end of his life, in his last letter after he has “fought the good fight,” and just before his departure to be with Christ, Paul sends for Mark.

Our conclusion is that in Acts 15 Paul was right, and Barnabas was wrong. Over the next few years both Barnabas and Mark somehow reached out to Paul. All three work out the division and once again prove that humble saints have the mind of Christ. Saints should and can agree on everything!

Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.

Your friend and brother in fighting the good fight,

Marc

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Saints, we’re one day closer to Home, and Him! Love Him wholeheartedly!

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Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.

Marc White, Director, Walk Worthy Ministries, www.WalkWorthy.org