Paul and Barnabas 

My good friend Edward from Kenya asked the questions below which are from Acts 15:36-41 (Paul and Barnabas' separation)

1. What can The Church learn from this happening?

2. Is there a positive lesson?

Paul and Barnabas Separation

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37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other.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.

1. What can The Church learn from this happening:

Bible is genuine

This story shows division in early church. It never tried to hide it. This is not a book to glorify any human. Every page is there to    glorify our FATHER . 

Paul and Barnabas are humans:

                  Every Bible character  have flaws . Only GOD is perfect. Paul ,Barnabas, Mark have differences ,bitterness, ego  like any other human being. I really like how paul and barnabas separation verse  ends with "Grace of the LORD" . Without The Grace of the LORD ,there is nothing good in us. Paul mentions the same  in Romans 7 :18-19 " For I know that nothing good dwells ain me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 bFor I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing."

This world is sinking sand

Everything in the world is sinking sand. Paul's relationship with Barnabas is one disagreement away from separation. Human life can change by  one small accident or one small virus away .Same goes for wealth. Nothing is permanent in this life other than GOD and HIS love for us.

2. Is there a positive lesson?

Nothing can stop GOD's work:

Jonah's disobedience to GOD didn't stop ninevites repentance. Paul/Mark's bitterness worked for GOD's purpose and Gospel reached new places.

GOD's Grace is bigger than my sin:

GOD's Grace is bigger than our sin. We can overcome our sin through GOD's Grace only. Paul was able to overcome his bitterness and both worked together for GOD's glory. 2 Timothy 4:11 - "Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry."

Romans 8:28 :

 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose". In this life we may not see the complete picture . In Genesis 42:36 Jacob will say "All these things are against me". But God was working through Joseph to save Jacob and his family. Everything was working for God's children. Naomi lost her husband and sons and ended up bringing a moabite in JESUS CHRIST genealogy and she didn't know about God's plan when she told  to the town people in Ruth 1:20 "Do not call me Naomi;a call me Mara,b for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me "

  God might have used the separation to expand the church in a quick manner. Barnabas and Mark may be suited for Cyprus and Paul /Silas may suited for Syria and Cilicia. We can speculate all these things in this side , but we can rest on Romans 8:28 as all separation worked together for good.