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Acts 15:36-16:10

Didn’t see it coming! Fresh off the hi-point of restoring unity and harmony around the centrality of the gospel, the church in Antioch is being refreshed by the blessing of multiple gifted bible teachers ministering among them. And they are also being encouraged by the privilege of hosting the greatest outreach team in world missions history. So…they didn’t see it coming!

Last Sunday we highlighted nine takeaways on handling conflict in the church:

  1. Don’t be surprised
  2. Recognize the reality of the problem
  3. Clarify the issues
  4. Give time for many to be heard
  5. Listen insightfully
  6. Seek unity not separation
  7. Disagree agreeably
  8. Embrace essential change
  9. Celebrate grace

The summary declaration was, “And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.” Acts 15:31

You will notice as you re-read the 15th chapter of Acts an interesting subtlety of Luke’s recording. Watch the alternating pattern:

  • “After Paul and Barnabas” v.2
  • “Paul and Barnabas…” v.2
  • “…and they listened to Barnabas and Paul” v.12
  • “…with Paul and Barnabas” v.22
  • “…our beloved Barnabas and Paul” v.25
  • “But Paul and Barnabas…” v.35

The order of their names when recorded was insignificant. So united and complementary was this leadership team that to name the one was to name to other. Friends. Partners. Brothers. Until something changed. Something brought about a “division” and a parting of relationship, a separation of a great ministry team.

So what went down?

  • “Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.” Acts 15:37
  • “But Paul thought best NOT to take with them the one who had withdrawn…” Acts 15:38
  • “And there arose a SHARP disagreement…so they separated from each other!” Acts 15:39

They didn’t see it coming. The Son of Encouragement was simply responding as he had always reacted. He was the brother of the second chance and he saw value in the one-time deserter. Paul was passionate for the mission. His strategic planning saw no room for a teammate who might not be “all in” for the mission. So strongly did each man feel committed to his own perspective that applying the principles of conflict resolution simply would not dissolve nor resolve their differences. It wasn’t a struggle over doctrinal truth but rather a deep disagreement over ministry strategy. And so they went their separate ways— Paul, back to the Galatian churches and Barnabas back to the newly established fellowships of Cyprus. Paul added Silas to his team and Barnabas, the Son of Encouragement, took John Mark.

Didn’t see it coming! But sometimes the strongest move toward unity is separation. What went down? God demonstrated His power to “multiply by division” and the power of the gospel of peace won the day!

See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom