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 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.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.
"The second missionary trip was not planned to reach out to areas beyond those on the first trip but to return to the churches established on the first journey. God, however, had additional plans." (Ryrie)
they separated from each other - "Here is an example of separation because of personality or practicality, not doctrine, and it seemed to be the only solution to the problem. God brought good out of it in that two missionary teams were sent out, and Barnabas's continued interest in John Mark rescued him from possible uselessness." (Ryrie)
"Some have explained the contention by noting a possible spiritual decline in the change from the words: 'the Holy Spirit said,' in 13:2, to the words: 'Paul said,' in 15:36. It should be remembered, however, that in the former passage we have the Spirit's original instruction to the Church at Antioch to separate Paul and Barnabas for the work wherein they had now become engaged. Therefore we should not expect another such case, nor are we to suppose that the apostle is acting in the flesh every time we fail to find the words: 'The Holy Spirit said.' Indeed, since the passing of the Pentecostal era believers should be very careful about saying: 'The Spirit said' or, "The Spirit told me' or, "The Lord said to me,' unless they are referring to the written Word of God." (Stam)
having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord - "It has been noted that Paul and Silas were commended by the church to the grace of God (Ver. 40) as Paul and Barnabas had been at the first (Acts 13:3; 14:26) but that Barnabas and Mark received no such commendation at this time. This, however, may have been because Barnabas left suddenly or secretly, either from anger or disappointment, or generously, to leave the work there wholly to Paul. Even at that, it does seem that the main body of the church there probably stood with Paul, though on the other hand against it must be said that the later record indicates that Barnabas' confidence in Mark was justified and that he did well in giving the young man another chance. At any rate, Barnabas and Mark now sail for Cyprus, while Paul and Silas travel through Syria and Cilicia (we hope not bound for the same destination!). This is the first indication that churches had been established in Syria and Cilicia (apparently either after Paul's return to Tarsus or during his ministry in Antioch. See Gal 1:21 and cf. Acts 9:30; 11:25,26; 15:23). It is heartening to consider that all four of the men we have been discussing really had the same great cause at heart, and that after a time their wounds healed again. In 1 Cor 9:6 Paul speaks highly of Barnabas as a co-worker for Christ. As to Mark, in Col 4:10 Paul instructs the Colossian believers to 'recieve him,' in Phile 24 he calls him a 'fellow-laborer' and in 2 Tim 4:11 he makes the touching request: 'Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.' Thus Mark came through with colors flying and Paul graciously received him back. Indeed it is touching to note that God used this servant (Acts 13:5) who had failed so dismally, to write the account of the perfect Servant, The Gospel According to Mark. This is the last we hear of Barnabas and Mark in the Book of Acts. The dispensational reason for the disappearance of the twelve apostles, and even of Barnabas and Mark, from the record, is that the message and ministry entrusted to Paul might be duly emphasized." (Stam)
"The second missionary trip was not planned to reach out to areas beyond those on the first trip but to return to the churches established on the first journey. God, however, had additional plans." (Ryrie)
they separated from each other - "Here is an example of separation because of personality or practicality, not doctrine, and it seemed to be the only solution to the problem. God brought good out of it in that two missionary teams were sent out, and Barnabas's continued interest in John Mark rescued him from possible uselessness." (Ryrie)
"Some have explained the contention by noting a possible spiritual decline in the change from the words: 'the Holy Spirit said,' in 13:2, to the words: 'Paul said,' in 15:36. It should be remembered, however, that in the former passage we have the Spirit's original instruction to the Church at Antioch to separate Paul and Barnabas for the work wherein they had now become engaged. Therefore we should not expect another such case, nor are we to suppose that the apostle is acting in the flesh every time we fail to find the words: 'The Holy Spirit said.' Indeed, since the passing of the Pentecostal era believers should be very careful about saying: 'The Spirit said' or, "The Spirit told me' or, "The Lord said to me,' unless they are referring to the written Word of God." (Stam)
having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord - "It has been noted that Paul and Silas were commended by the church to the grace of God (Ver. 40) as Paul and Barnabas had been at the first (Acts 13:3; 14:26) but that Barnabas and Mark received no such commendation at this time. This, however, may have been because Barnabas left suddenly or secretly, either from anger or disappointment, or generously, to leave the work there wholly to Paul. Even at that, it does seem that the main body of the church there probably stood with Paul, though on the other hand against it must be said that the later record indicates that Barnabas' confidence in Mark was justified and that he did well in giving the young man another chance. At any rate, Barnabas and Mark now sail for Cyprus, while Paul and Silas travel through Syria and Cilicia (we hope not bound for the same destination!). This is the first indication that churches had been established in Syria and Cilicia (apparently either after Paul's return to Tarsus or during his ministry in Antioch. See Gal 1:21 and cf. Acts 9:30; 11:25,26; 15:23). It is heartening to consider that all four of the men we have been discussing really had the same great cause at heart, and that after a time their wounds healed again. In 1 Cor 9:6 Paul speaks highly of Barnabas as a co-worker for Christ. As to Mark, in Col 4:10 Paul instructs the Colossian believers to 'recieve him,' in Phile 24 he calls him a 'fellow-laborer' and in 2 Tim 4:11 he makes the touching request: 'Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.' Thus Mark came through with colors flying and Paul graciously received him back. Indeed it is touching to note that God used this servant (Acts 13:5) who had failed so dismally, to write the account of the perfect Servant, The Gospel According to Mark. This is the last we hear of Barnabas and Mark in the Book of Acts. The dispensational reason for the disappearance of the twelve apostles, and even of Barnabas and Mark, from the record, is that the message and ministry entrusted to Paul might be duly emphasized." (Stam)
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