THE K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
804 Following th eir Instructions, we find these four disciples a t th e end of th e ir tou r In the city of Antioch, from which center P aul and Barnabas had started out on th is g reat m issionary adventure. (1) Sharp Contention, vs. 36-38 The lesson of to-day introduces us to a scene which brings us sorrow, and yet satisfaction, for it encourages us in our own Christian life. Barnabas was one of th e early disci ples who sacrificed all as an offering to th e Lord, (Acts 4:36, 37). « A n d Jo se s, w h o b y th e apostles wa s su rna me d Barn ab as ( w h i c h i s , b e in g in te rp re ted , T h e s o n o f co ns ola ti on) , a L é vi t e , an d of th e country o f C y p r u s , H a v i n g : la n d , s o l d it , and b ro ug ht the m o n e y , an d laid i t a t th e ap ostle s’ fe et. ” He was a defender of P aul a t Je ru sa lem when th e disciples would no t be lieve in his conversion (Acts 9 :2 7 ). ( « B u t Barn ab as took h im , an d brou ght h im to th e ap os tle s, an d d e c l a re d unto t h e m h o w h e ha d se e n th e L o r d in th e w a y , an d t h a t h e ha d sp o k e n to h im , an d h o w h e ha d pre ac he d b o l d l y a t D a m a s c u s in the n a m e o f Jesu s.”
Mark should be forgiven for his deser tion and be given another chance. Paul, no doubt, reasoned th a t th e conditions of th e work before them demanded a stronger character, as is suggested by Christ’s own words (Luke 9 :6 2 ), “ A n d J es u s s a id » N o m a n , h a v h i s ha nd to th e p l o u g h , and loo ki is f i t fo r th e k i n gd om o f G o d .” Many students have taken sides w ith both men; however, subsequent events would seem to prove th a t. P au l was in the righ t, for Barnabas fades away in the subsequent history of th e church, while P aul goes on in increasing power in the Lord’s work. The lesson for us is of g reat value. We must recognize th a t th e old n a tu re in th e saints is not elim inated, - and th e fight is always on. There are no in fall ible people. Those who assume in fallibility, w hether pope, priest, or preacher, are very likely to be th e far th e st from it. Godly people will differ, yet love for each other need not change. The angle of vision is different and they m ust learn to agree to disagree. All differences should be settled, so far as possible, first of all upon the Scripture, and when th a t is no t definite enough for the purpose, then upon th e judgm ent given each one by the Spirit of God. (2) The Sudden Separation, vs 39-41 Barnabas took th e in itiativ e and chose Mark. We tru s t th a t they had a sea son of prayer and parted in real fellow ship, and believe th a t they did. This separation in no m anner in terferes w ith th e m anifestation of P au l’s forgiving spirit. No doubt Mark learned a valu able lesson by reason of it, and we find P aul commending him as a b ro th er be loved, (Col. 4 :10) «A ri sta rch us m y fello w priso u te th y o u , an d M a r c u s , s i s t e r ’s s o na ba s, (touch ing w h o m y e r e c e i ma nd me nts : i f h e c o m e un to y o him ).” : (Also, II Tim. 4 :1 1 ). We find ano th er im po rtan t lesson growing out of th is controversy, It re-
and Barnabas and Saul had been sent fo rth by th e Holy Spirit in th e first g reat m issionary enterprise of th e church to thé Gentiles. Now these two men had come to a point where they differed, and it was a serious contention and involved a question of conduct and of principle in the Lord’s work. Here are two godly men w ith h earts k n it tog ether in th e Gospel. Both had sacrificed all for th e ir Lord, y e t they could not see eye to eye in a m atter seemingly of little consequence. Both could not be right, yet both contended th a t they were right. P au l’s position was based upon Mark’s conduct, (Acts 13:13) Mark was a relative of Barnabas— John Mark. “ John” was. his Jewish name, and “Mark” his Roman name, an in th e case of P eter who was also “Simon,” and P au l who was also “Saul.” Barnabas, no doubt, believed th a t
« N o w w h e n Pau l and his c o m p a n y l o o s e d fr o m P ap h o s , they c a m e to P e r g a in Famp hyl ia; an d John d ep art in g fro m th e m re t u r n ed to Je rusalem.”
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