When Disagreement Divides — Acts 15:30-41 Daily Word

Here, Luke records the outcome and response to the decision of the Jerusalem Council, as announced by Paul, Barnabas, and Judas and Silas, who had been sent from Jerusalem.

The believers of the church in Antioch rejoiced when they heard that Gentiles were not required to be circumcised or keep the law in order to be saved. In particular, Luke describes this letter in verse 31 as ‘words of encouragement,’ which reveals just how much the Gentiles had been troubled by this question of salvation. Judas and Silas likewise joined in exhorting and strengthening the brothers with many words (v. 32). Their work there as prophets was to ‘build up the community of faith and strengthen their faith’ (paraphrase). The verb Luke uses, ‘to strengthen’ (epistērizō), carries the meaning of ‘to establish and uphold a group of people.’ ¹(Acts 15:41, 18:23; Luke 22:32)

After spending some time there and completing their mission, they returned to the church in Jerusalem. ²The Korean Revised Version does not include verse 34, but the KJV records it as: “Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.” This verse was included because verse 40 later shows Paul departing on another missionary journey with Silas. While such a note may seem necessary to explain verse 40, there could in fact be a gap in time between verses 33 and 40. Since it is naturally possible that Silas had gone to Jerusalem and returned by then, it is best to refrain from imposing an arbitrary interpretation.

Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord along with many others. Paul then expressed his desire to go back and visit the regions where they had preached the gospel, in order to see how the believers there were doing. It was during this process that a sharp disagreement arose between Paul and Barnabas over whether to take John Mark with them.

Barnabas wanted to take John Mark along, but Paul opposed it.

The reason Paul objected is stated in verse 38: Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. In fact, the expression used to describe Mark’s departure carries the meaning of having abandoned them. Paul therefore firmly characterizes it as his having “not continued with them in the work.” What was it that John Mark abandoned? It was the very work of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles.

Preaching the gospel to the Gentiles is a work carried out in response to the Holy Spirit’s calling. (Acts 13:2) [2] While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2, ESV) To have given up that calling, then, was to have abandoned the command of the Holy Spirit. It was over this issue that Paul and Barnabas parted ways and set out on separate missionary journeys.

In fact, (Col 4:10) we learn that John Mark was Barnabas’s cousin. “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas” In the end, Barnabas took John Mark and sailed for Cyprus, his home island (v. 39), while Paul chose Silas and departed for a different destination. Paul selected Silas because Silas shared his heart for Gentile mission. Silas was also a Roman citizen, which would prove to be a practical advantage for their travels.

The church must stand united.

Yet there are times when people simply do not work well together. When that happens, what we must do is pursue what is pleasing to God. Let us pray together, remembering this truth: when we joyfully carry out the work of sharing the gospel entrusted to each of us, God will once again bring unity and lead us in goodness.