Barnabas and Paul

An old friend of mine who is serving in the mission field in the Middle East made a comment recently about some personality problems among fellow staff members. The mission field generally has personnel issues because of the strong personalities that tend to end up there. Only very strong and determined people survive living for years in foreign countries. The same thing was true in Jesus’ day.

In the early days of the Christian church within a few years of the Lord’s resurrection, missionary journeys were started to promote the gospel of Jesus. On one of those journeys two men appear in the book of Acts. They are Barnabas and Paul. In Acts chapter thirteen both men are called together by the Lord to go on a missionary journey (Acts 13:2-4). They take along a young man called Mark (Acts 13:5). Theologians generally agree this is the same Mark who wrote the Gospel of Mark.

At one point in their travels Mark decides that the missionary life is not for him and chooses to depart for Jerusalem alone. We do not know why he left Barnabas and Paul but some time later Barnabas wants to bring Mark back so he can continue to work with them in their travels. Paul rejects this idea and, as a result, a great argument ensues and Barnabas and Paul separate and go their own ways. Barnabas takes Mark with him to Cyprus and Paul takes Silas with him and continues the Lord’s work (Acts 15:36-40).

There is much to learn about how different personalities impact the church. The story of the separation of Barnabas and Paul can teach us how to better handle difficult situations. There is also much to learn about how God intervenes in these matters. The story is not a total loss, as I will explain later. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that what the Lord brought together (Acts 13:2) man separated (Acts 15:39).

I will tell the story of Acts 15:39 in my own words.

Barnabas and Paul are sittin around shootin the buffalo when Paul says, “Yo dude, why don’t we go back to the churches we started and see how they are fairin? Barnabas says, “Cool beans. I’ve been wonderin how some of those guys are holdin their own with all this persecution and everything. I want to take Mark with us.” Paul says, “No can do dude. After he bailed on us in Perga I don’t think he can handle all this missionary stuff. I know he’s a relative of yours and everything, but that kite won’t fly.”

Then Barnabas said, “Mark is a reliable and everything he just needed some space, a chance to clear his head. He’s cool now that’s why I want to take him with us.” Paul responded, “Don’t you remember what him leavin cost us? “We had to take money out of our own stash to send him back to Jerusalem. “Not to mention all the food and blankets. “He pretty much stripped us clean.” Barnabas said, “He’s a young guy, these things are gonna happen with young guys.”

But the stage was set and both men were digging in their heel for the next round. The next round of any argument generally brings out other issues that may not have anything to do with the original argument, but have to do with personality problems that were not addressed earlier.

Barnabas says, “Ya know you have been givin orders since we started out and I for one am getting real tired of all your yappin. “You need to take a chill pill and learn a thing or two about humility.” Paul graciously responded, “Look Mr. Potato Head, I know a thing or two about people and I know what they can and can’t do and I am tellin you Mark can’t hold his water on the mission field.” Barnabas responded with a level of diplomacy that is still spoken about today. “You snore so loud the camels are complaining.” Paul, not wanting to be outdone responded in kind. “Yea, well your cooking stinks.” Barnabas says, “Well if that’s the way you feel I’m outta here.”

Fortunately, none of this came to blows I mean after all how much Christian love can the world handle. Nevertheless, the story does reveal a great deal about human emotion and pride. Maybe more to the point, the story reveals the cost of human emotion and pride, as there is no record of Paul and Barnabas ever seeing each other again. It is interesting to note that Paul eventually has a change of heart about Mark and works with him on future assignments.

Mark is apparently with Paul during his first imprisonment (Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24). The next time we see Paul in prison he tells Timothy to send Mark to him because he needs him, or more precisely he needs Mark’s knowledge of the Old Testament (2 Timothy 4:11).

What a shame it was for Barnabas and Paul to separate the way they did especially since Paul works with Mark during his future ministry years. How many of us can look at a foolish argument that resulted in a permanent separation; a separation that a little humility could have prevented.

One ounce of humility will bring far more success then ten pounds of arrogance.