I am reading through the history of a denomination that came about after many years of unhappiness due to the original body’s insistence on being involved in politics, the support of liberal theology and many other matters that are un-Biblical. After many years of trying to rectify un-Biblical matters from the inside, the situation became untenable, forcing a separation and the formation of another body. A similar situation arose within the original Church Grouping that resulted in the formation of the Federation of Churches I come from. From my standpoint and understanding of God’s Word, it was right for the new groups to arise, bringing about the formation of an organizations that retain a Reformed and Evangelical persuasion as opposed to one that denies the inspiration, inerrancy, infallibility and authority of the Bible. But … I need to add quickly that sometimes separation occurs within the context of personalities, ministry styles, fears of loss of life … and not theological or doctrinal disagreements. We see this in the next passage in Acts 15. Please read:
Ac 15:36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
1) Pastoral visits. Paul takes the initiative to visit the believers in the various places where they saw people converted to Jesus.
Ac 15:36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”
For Paul, to see how they are doing amounts to a pastoral heart. No one can come to faith in Jesus and then be left to grow spiritually without there being continued discipleship. Every Church needs to have an organized pastoral visitation program. Paul’s was visiting a group of people. This is difficult in our day because not everyone tends to get to Church or Bible Study regularly. They should, but many factors prevent it from happening, so visiting the people in their homes is needed. Such visits though, ought not to be for entertainment purpose but for spiritual purposes. The pastor teacher might not be able to do all the visiting. This is why he needs to train men and women to do pastoral visits. The purpose of a visit is primarily discipleship … meaning a Word will be read after which the passage will be explained. Then there would be prayer, first asking for requests and then praying, even encouraging those visited to pray. The aim is one of encouragement and motivation to love, follow and serve Jesus in holiness. It is important to record when the visit was made, by whom, the basic flow of the meeting, what was read, needs and prayer requests. Naturally, all records are confidential to the one visiting and the pastor.
2) Ministry disagreement. It is so sad when the enemy causes disagreements that cannot be solved amongst the servants of God.
Ac 15:37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.
This is not a Paul, Barnabas and John Mark thing! It tends to happen all too often. Mostly it is due to the fact that the one’s ministry vision and the other’s ministry vision are different. In this case, John Mark has previously deserted the missionary team in Pamphylia. It is strange to read of such disagreements between two great men of God … but the Holy Spirit included this in Scripture as Luke documented his investigation into the Early Church, from Jesus’ ascension to Paul’s incarceration on Rome. John Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark using Peter’s sermon material. He was related to Barnabas. He was a young man. He was a child of God with a passion for ministry, yet his desertion indicated to Paul that even though his spiritual credentials were in place, he most likely left the missionary party due to fear, seeing what happened to the others and especially Paul. To Paul he needed to mature more before returning to service. Barnabas disagreed, likely because he saw the potential in his cousin. He probably thought that having John Mark under his wing he would be able to groom his promising talents and gifting to become a useful member of God’s missionary army.
3) Barnabas and John Mark:
Ac 15:39 they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus.
In one way it was very sad that the difference could not be resolve. On the other hand, instead of one missionary team, now there were two! In other words, the different take on John Mark, although not a good testimony for the Gospel, turn out to be an increase in ministry teams.
4) Paul and Silas.
Ac 15:40 but Paul chose Silas and left.
Paul chose Silas … he was a “prophet” and likely a member of the Court of apostles and elders in Jerusalem. He had heard him preach the Gospel and encourage the believers. Paul saw Silas as a suitable replacement for Barnabas. Another strange thing is that although Luke does not let his feelings about the “split” be known, he records the brothers of the Church at Antioch send Paul and Silas off with the prayer that the grace of the Lord be with them in their travels.
Ac 15:40 commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
It is difficult for us to pronounce when Scripture is silent, but it seems as though the Church supported Paul.
5) Paul’s second missionary journey.
Ac 15:41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
This was the start of his second missionary tour. It started off by going to the Churches that were planted in Syria and Cilicia. Once again we see Paul’s pastoral heart. Any pastor who does not have a pastoral heart ought not to pastor a Church. It is one thing to teach and preach but unless you have a heart for people, your ministry will only be academic. We need to pray that God will raise up men for the ministry who have a heart for souls to be saved, educated in the Scriptures and follow through with pastoral ministry. Such a man will have the ability to take the real concerns of the people to God in prayer. Our Father, most of us have experienced disagreements amongst spiritual leaders resulting in breaking ministry teams. These have negative effects on the Church.
O God incline our hearts as leaders to work together, have the same Gospel vision. Lord, inspire our pastors to have a pastoral heart, being concerned for souls and their maturity and protection in Jesus. Amen.