GODLY CONTENTION

Acts 15:36-41 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; and Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Before delving into the suggested topic of this lesson, let us first comment on the preparations for the second missionary journey of the apostle Paul. Barnabas had accompanied Paul on his first journey to preach the gospel message of salvation through Christ Jesus. Recorded in Acts 13 and 14, we find Paul and Barnabas beginning in Antioch of Syria, journeying to the cities of Salamis and Paphos on the island of Cyprus, then sailing to Attalia and Perga in Pamphylia, and afterwards traveling overland to Asia Minor into the cities of Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. Then retracing their journey and revisiting the churches that had been established in these cities, they returned to the seaport of Attilia, and from there sailed back to Antioch of Syria, where they had originally started.

And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. This took place approximately two to three years after the first missionary journey had been completed, but only a few days after the apostles of Christ and the elders of the church of Christ in Jerusalem resolved and condemned attempts by Jewish members of the body of Christ to impose circumcision and the Law of Moses on Gentile Christians in Antioch of Syria. At the same time this was done, they also delivered their letter to Gentile Christians warning them not to include heathen idol worship rites into Christian doctrine. After this, Paul's desire was to revisit the cities in which he and Barnabas had preached the gospel of Christ on their first missionary journey, and where they had formed churches of Christ by baptizing believing Jews and probably more believing Gentiles for the remission of their sins. In order to firmly establish these churches, they assisted each congregation in their appointment of elders to oversee the teaching and work each body of Christ.

As they planned the second journey, Barnabas was determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. We first learn of John Mark as the son of Mary, in whose home the first Christians of Jerusalem had gathered to pray for the safety of the persecuted and imprisoned apostle, Peter (Acts 12:12). More than likely, he was converted and baptized into the body of Christ by Peter, himself, who considered him his son (1 Pet. 5:13). Barnabas was related to John Mark and to his mother, Mary (Col. 4:10). There is disagreement as to how they were related, but some say that he was a cousin to Barnabas. John Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey to Cyprus and on to Perga, of Pamphylia, where, for some undisclosed reason, John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13).

It seems that because of this incident Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. Evidently Paul had doubt in the dedication and perseverance of John Mark, doubting his ability to withstand the trials and persecution by angry, zealous Jews and irate Gentiles that considered Christianity a danger to their pagan, idolatrous lifestyle. And because of this disagreement, there developed contention between Paul and Barnabas. Differences of opinion have always been present within the body of Christ. And if it exists without anger or ill will by either party, and if it does not result in dissension within the membership of Christ's church, it is not condemned by God in His Holy Word. The contention demonstrated in the lesson text is our example of Godly contention. The work of the Lord was never jeopardized or hindered. Rather it was magnified. Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus, and Paul chose Silas, and departed (unto) ...Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches (of Christ that had been established in these areas of Asia Minor).