By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
STRENGTHENED
Acts 15:36–41; 16:1-5
Parting Ways (15:36–39)
Paul’s second missionary journey started in Antioch. Paul and Barnabas had been ministering there after delivering the Jerusalem Council’s letter to the church. This very important letter had declared that people are saved by grace through faith, not by human works. God’s pleasure in you is not based on your performance for him. God’s pleasure in you is based on Christ’s performance for you. Now that this issue had been decided, the church in Antioch was ready to resume its missionary outreach.
After a period of time, Paul decided that it would be good to revisit the churches birthed by God on the first missionary journey. Paul wanted to follow up and make sure the new churches were doing well. Paul loved the new believers as his spiritual children. His aim was to make mature disciples not just count converts.
As they were planning their journey, a heated argument occurred between Paul and Barnabas. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them on the journey, perhaps to give him a second chance. Paul rejected the proposal because he considered Mark’s desertion totally unacceptable. It is important to note that Paul would eventually be reconciled to Mark, seeing him as a beloved coworker (Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:11).
As a result of competing views, Paul and Barnabas had a “sharp disagreement,” which in the original language carries the idea of violent action or emotion. The team had an intense conflict. As R. Kent Hughes stated: “Our judgment goes with Paul, but our hearts go with Barnabas.” Barnabas, the encourager, took Mark with him to Cyprus.
A New Team (15:40–41; 16:1–3)
Paul chose Silas, and after being commended by the church, they traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. They would have shared the report from the Jerusalem Council with these churches that they did not have to adopt Jewish customs or obey the ceremonial law in order to be truly saved.
What should we think about the separation of Paul and Barnabas? First, they were men not angels. Imperfect sinful human beings will sometimes face moments of contention. No perfect ministry exists today. Second, we should be encouraged that God sovereignly worked through the conflict to accomplish his purposes. The split resulted in two missionary teams rather than one. This observation doesn’t justify our arguing, murmuring and complaining with our brothers and sisters. But it reveals to us that God can work through all sorts of means to advance the gospel. He can even bring about growth and strengthening through separations.
Traveling from east to west, Paul and Silas arrived in Lystra and Derbe and met a young man from Lystra named Timothy. Timothy’s father was an unbelieving Greek, but his mother and grandmother were Jewish and had taught Timothy to know the Scriptures (2 Tim. 1:5). The two ladies along with Timothy had probably become Jesus followers during Paul’s first missionary journey. Timothy stood out to Paul as a man of spiritual maturity; therefore, Paul wanted him to join his missionary team.
Paul had Timothy circumcised because he was both Jew and Greek. He didn’t want Timothy to be a hindrance to Jews coming to faith in Christ. Rabbinic law taught that a child born to a Greek man and a Jewish woman was considered to be Jewish. Paul knew Timothy would have constantly offended the Jews if he wasn’t circumcised. As a matter of missionary strategy, as a sign of respect to Jewish culture and as an attempt to maintain Jew-Gentile unity, Timothy was circumcised.
Growth Seen (16:4–5)
The new team continued their journey, visiting the churches and announcing the Jerusalem Council’s decision. As a result, by the grace of God the churches were strengthened and continued to reach new people with the gospel.
Share with others: