17th Jun 26 | 05:17
Daily Study
Paul, the disciplinarian
Acts 15 - Series 3/Episode 08 - Thu, 14th May 2026 - Paul, the disciplinarian - _Acts 15:36-41_ - THE SEPARATION OF PAUL AND BARNABAS - _Galatians 01:14_
Act 15:36-38 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing." (37) Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. (38) But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
It seems that after the Jerusalem Council, John Mark returned with the delegation to Antioch. It was Judas and Silas who were the main envoys of the Jerusalem Council to the churches, but we could also accept that John Mark, too, may have returned with Paul and Barnabas and ministered at Antioch. Acts 15:35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
It was at this time that Paul and Barnabas decided to go on their second missionary journey. Barnabas was determined to take John Mark with them, but Paul insisted that John Mark should not accompany them.
Paul was obviously doubtful of John Mark's quality of endurance. They had faced immense suffering, persecution and beatings for the Gospel. Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."
John Mark had not experienced the sufferings that Paul and Barnabas encountered at Pisidian Antioch, Iconium and Lystra. John Mark had left them in Pamphylia. Jerusalem and Antioch, in comparison, were far safer places to be in. Paul gauged John Mark from the perspective of a person able to stand his ground, willing to handle pressure and also deliver the expected results of being the assistant. Paul was perfectly correct in his assessment of John Mark, considering the task at hand.
Paul was a man of the word. Psalms 78:7-11 That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments; (8) And may not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not set its heart aright, And whose spirit was not faithful to God. (9) The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, Turned back in the day of battle. (10) They did not keep the covenant of God; They refused to walk in His law, (11) And forgot His works And His wonders that He had shown them.
Paul saw in John Mark, a young man whose spirit was not faithful to God. Paul's experience was his own of how zealous he was as a young man, for the law. Galatians 1:13-14 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. (14) And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
Paul had seen the zeal and commitment of young Stephen. Acts 7:58-60 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. (59) And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." (60) Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Paul had experienced the commitment of Barnabas towards him. Acts 11:25-26 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. (26) And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
These were the realities that Paul saw and had experienced, and then he witnessed the collapse of John Mark. John Mark had left them and was not willing to go with them to the work at hand. Paul decided that John Mark was too big a risk to take with them on a tough journey with many perils.
The teaching of the Lord in this matter of discipline and counting the cost is also important. Luke 14:31-33 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? (32) Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. (33) So likewise, *whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple*.
John Mark had to count the cost of being a disciple of Christ, but he was lacking in this aspect.
Paul was right in his decision not to take John Mark with them. We saw yesterday that Barnabas was right in his position to take John Mark with them. This is where they should have sought the leading of the Holy Spirit together, but instead, they allowed their convictions to spiral into contention.
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