David Bahn – Reflections

Acts 15:30-40

So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Several years ago a friend and colleague suggested that our church body, The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, was ripe for a “Paul and Barnabas split.” He was referring to this moment in the Early Church where these two brothers in the faith had such a falling-out that they determined to go different directions in pursuit of the mission of God. My friend’s assertion was that our church body had two different views of ministry and mission which could not coexist. One group would need to disengage from the other. We would each need to go our separate ways.

The issue for Paul and Barnabas might be summarized as mission versus mercy. Paul was so keen to take the gospel to new places and people that he wanted nothing to do with Mark who had earlier pulled away from the mission team. Barnabas was not called the Son of Encouragement for nothing. He had earlier stuck by Paul, introducing him to the apostles, and standing by him and joining him in missionary efforts. Now he saw that Mark needed encouragement and support that he could give. He didn’t want to see Mark discarded as a key part of the mission of God. His response to the situation was to have mercy on Mark and do whatever was necessary to help him stay on the team. Paul’s response was to pursue the mission, even if it meant leaving some behind.

In the end it appears that both were right. In 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul mentions Mark as being “useful…for ministry.” Paul and Barnabas appear also to have been reconciled, evidenced by Paul’s favorable mention of Barnabas in 1 Corinthians 9:6. But the fact that both were right does not mean that both were not also wrong. Jesus prayed for the unity of his followers in John 17. There he says that the world would know that he was sent from the Father because of their unity. Whatever else you might say about Paul’s and Barnabas’ motives and decisions, they are not united at this time.

Somehow being right is not enough. Each could argue his case. Each would find justification for their decisions. But living under Christ in his kingdom requires more than just being right. It requires humility, long-suffering, love, and lavish amounts of grace – for ourselves and one another. We do not know how things would have gone had Paul and Barnabas stayed together. Perhaps the tension and stress of working together under those circumstances would have rendered this second missionary journey ineffectual. But we do know that when Paul later commends both Barnabas and Mark the reality of their unity in Christ held sway.

I sometimes wonder whether my friend was right. In the case of our church body the constant fighting and posturing, claims of false teaching and false priorities gets wearisome. There is little doubt that we have sincere Christ-loving brothers and sisters on both sides of the many issues facing us. There is also little doubt that the devil gets the better of us all from time to time.

Paul and Barnabas split over the issue of mission versus mercy. We might describe the issues facing our national church body as that of mission versus maintenance. Truth be told, however, both are vital: mercy and mission, as well as maintenance and mission. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that while there are plenty in the church today who will speak up for and support the health of the church, very few people outside the church will come to us and ask why we are not evangelizing them. While I deeply appreciate Barnabas’ ministry of encouragement, Paul’s missionary efforts are commended by the Holy Spirit. God’s  mission must move ever forward. I look forward to the Day when we are all united in that mission, and able to bring along all who would be part of it.