25th May 26 | 06:30
Daily Study
Communicate the wisdom of God
Acts 15 - Series 3/Episode 15 - Thu, 21st May 2026 - Communicate the wisdom of God - Acts 15:36-41 - THE SEPARATION OF PAUL AND BARNABAS - I Corinthians 02:10-12
Acts 15:39-40 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; (40) but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.
This contention between Paul and Barnabas was in the presence of the church. It must have been a difficult experience for the church, watching these two giants of the faith, contending sharply over the matter of John Mark accompanying them in the ministry. The church commended both Paul and Barnabas to the grace of God, as they separated from each other.
There was great maturity in the church to keep silent during the heated exchange between Paul and Barnabas. The church could have stepped in and reminded the apostles of the Holy Spirit's move in separating them for the ministry. Acts 13:2-3 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (3) Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
It was wise of the church to have realised that Paul and Barnabas were not stopping the ministry or hindering it. Instead of going together for the ministry, they were now going out for the ministry as two teams in two different directions.
What was happening at that time was still very much under the plan of God. Thus, the church commended both the teams to the grace of God. The church also saw the validity of the positions held by both Paul and Barnabas on the issue of John Mark. They were not going to be the ones deciding which position was wiser or more important than the other.
The church understood that Paul and Barnabas were not at odds with each other in any way. They only held strong points of view on the matter of John Mark, and this was not a separation of fellowship or friendship between Paul and Barnabas.
There are times when we must step in and intervene in a situation of dispute. There are times when we must keep silent, knowing that what is playing out is something of God and no intervention is necessary.
When must we, as the church, intervene in a situation? Proverbs 31:8-9 Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. (9) Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
This is such an important matter before God, where the church must speak and not keep silent. These are the oppressions that take place around us, but we have chosen to remain silent to a large extent. Even if we speak, our voice is unheard because we have not done the due diligence of understanding issues and causes. Our responses to these issues are very shallow.
If there is transgression in the church, we must speak and not keep silent. We speak to restore the one who has fallen, not to condemn. Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Those who persist in sin must be rebuked. I Timothy 5:20 Those who are sinning *rebuke* in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
When the unity and the doctrine of the church are threatened, we must speak. Acts 15:1-2 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." (2) Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.
We must see ourselves as the watchmen for the flock of God. Ezekiel 3:18 When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.
However, when the matter is the work of God, just as in this case, we must trust the Lord to bring out a solution and keep silent. Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." / Lamentations 3:26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD.
Listen as the Lord speaks to us through His Holy Spirit. I Corinthians 2:10-12 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. (11) For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
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