Paul and Barnabas Separate to Go on Missionary Journeys

“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.’  Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.  But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.  And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other.  Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.  And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”-Acts 15:36-41(ESV).

Paul begins his second missionary journey with Silas as his assistant.  The disagreement between him and Barnabas over taking John Mark resulted in two mission teams going out.  John Mark and Barnabas went to Cyprus, Barnabas’ native land.  When John Mark returned to Jerusalem from their first missionary journey when they were in Perga of Pamphylia, his desertion (for reasons not given) must have made Paul suspicious that the young John Mark might get “cold feet” again.  But Barnabas, the one who counseled Paul after his conversion, took John Mark.  Luke does not record what occurred on the mission journey of Barnabas and John Mark.  But in Corinthians 9:6 Paul commends Barnabas for supporting himself (as did Paul) and not depending on the churches for financial help.  Legend has many stories about Barnabas and his work as a prophet, teacher and missionary, but these have not been authenticated by scripture. An epistle bearing  Barnabas’ name circulated and was even considered for canonization into the Bible, but was not accepted.  But as to John Mark, the association with the older Barnabas on this missionary journey must have had a good influence on him.  He wrote the gospel of Mark, the first of the four gospels to be penned.  It is believed he  associated with Peter in order to know the events of Christ’s life, for John Mark was not in the inner circle with Jesus.  In Colossians 4:10, Paul states that John Mark is a cousin of Barnabas, and he asks the churches at Colosse to welcome him when he comes.

Paul begins his second missionary journey.  His traveling companion is Silas.  As you recall, Silas was one chosen by the Jerusalem Church to take the letter of instruction to the Antioch Church in Syria.  Following the two-year missionary trip to Asia Minor and Macedonia with Paul, Silas joined Peter and they went on mission trips to Pontus and Cappadocia.  He served as the scribe for Peter to write the epistle of Peter.  Dependable and devout, Silas was a level-headed and capable assistant to Paul and later Peter.  Since Barnabas and John Mark went to Cyprus, Paul and Silas set their sights for Syria, Cilicia and Galatia.  The disagreement and split worked to produce two teams instead of one, and no doubt enabled more time spent to help the churches they had founded on their first missionary journey.  Paul and Silas would also go into Greece to establish churches there.  The pattern of encouraging believers and making new converts became the modus operandi for the mission teams in Acts.  This is the same pattern used today.  Summer is a usual time for many dedicated youth groups and their leaders to go to areas of need to witness and minister.  Likewise, many adults take vacation time from jobs to join and work on a mission team.  Remember to pray earnestly for those who go.  Seek God’s blessings for their safety, work and results.