In this passage of Acts 15:36-41, Paul and Barnabas are setting off to revisit the cities of their first missionary journey. Barnabas wants to take John Mark, his nephew along…but Paul refuses, adamant that Mark’s deserting them during their first missionary journey (Acts 13:13) was wrong in so many ways. And so we find both men not willing to budge. Barnabas, who is known as Son of Encouragement advocates to give Mark a second chance…emphasizing the importance of Christ-like grace and forgiveness. While Paul sticks to his guns, claiming Mark is unreliable and not fit for the ministry. And so they part company and go their separate ways. Now this may sound like the proclamation of the Gospel Message took a big hit…but it was otherwise. By going their separate ways, twice the amount of people were reached with the Good News than if they had continued to travel together. That’s because God’s Sovereignty can work through any conflict between Believers to achieve His ultimate plan and purpose.
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