PAUL THE APOSTLE ( Part 19) | THE QUARREL OVER JOHN MARK

Pastor Christopher Choo

Lesson 3118

PAUL THE APOSTLE ( Part 19) 

THE QUARREL OVER JOHN MARK

Silas comes in to replace John Mark in the proposed Second Missionary journey of Paul.

The New Testament puts the famous quarrel between Paul and Barnabus over the latter's nephew as "sharp contention” that developed between them (Acts 15:36-41). Remember that John Mark left them at Perga in Pamphylia and returned to Jerusalem for an unspecified reason during the beginning of their First Missionary Journey in Asia Minor.

Paul may have been guided by experience and cool logic, whereas Barnabas was moved perhaps by a kindred familiarity and a warm heart.

But we must remember this dissension between Paul and Barnabas was not over a doctrinal issue. The rupture involved a personal dispute based upon a judgment call. To their credit, neither Paul nor Barnabas let the conflict distract them from their respective efforts of spreading the gospel.

About 20 years later, Paul ( sometimes called " the apostle of love") would  reconcile with John Mark ( the author of the Gospel of Mark ):

1. Paul who found Mark useless once now changes his opinion - as revealed in the apostle’s concluding epistle. “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministering” (2 Tim. 4:11). 

2. In Colossians 4:10, one observes that the once-rejected young worker was commended, and the Colossian saints were asked to be receptive to him.

Abba Father, the segmentation of their work did not disrupt permanently the love and respect that Paul and Barnabas entertained for one another. Paul would later affectionately mention Barnabas as being worthy of monetary support in his work of proclaiming the gospel ( 1 Cor.9:6 ).

Barnabus and John Mark would honour their call to visit Cyprus again, while Paul and Silas will start the Second Missionary Journey together.