Acts 15:22-41

Recap/Review:

Last time we studied the travel to Jerusalem after the first missionary journey.

Paul and Barnabas faced opposition in Antioch from the sect of the circumcision (“they must be circumcised”)

Paul, Barnabas and others, at for sure Titus, went to Jerusalem. After the 250 mile trip from Antioch in Syria to Jerusalem, they met with the Apostles and Elders at the Jerusalem Counsel.

Some Pharisees agreed with the sect of the circumcision.

Peter shared his testimony about Cornelius and the Gentiles in Caesarea.

Paul and Barnabas retold their testimony of how God saved souls on the first missionary journey.

Then James got up, affirmed the testimony of Peter but then really turned the table when he pointed to their primary authority… The Scriptures. The word of God affirmed these testimonies as valid because the Gentiles coming to salvation through the Messiah was prophesied.

Then James gave them some specific instruction to give the Gentiles regarding sexual immorality and dietary things regarding idolatry for the sake of unity in the church.

That’s where we will pick up:

Acts 15:22–41 (NASB)

22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, 23 and they sent this letter by them, “The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings. 24 “Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, 25 it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 “Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.” 30 So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message. 33 After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out. 34 But it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also, the word of the Lord. 36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. 38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

The Messengers: (v. 22)

22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

We learn a few things about these two men here in our text. First, they were both we respected Elders in the church at Jerusalem (v. 22) and both men were prophets as well (v. 32). We also learn in (v. 26) that they were courageous and strong in the faith, they had faced persecution, and willingly risked their lives for the sake of the Gospel.

“...Judas called Barsabbas...”

We know very little about him outside of this passage. He isn’t mentioned anywhere else in the NT but his surname is.

Acts 1:23 (NASB)

23 So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias.

[Bar means “son” and “Abbas” was likely the name of his father.]

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Acts 15:22–35)

Judas, who was called Barsabas (probably the brother of that Joseph who was called Barsabas, that was a candidate for the apostleship, ch. 1:23),

We know a lot more about Silas.

“…and Silas...”

The name Silas is only mentioned in the book of Acts. Luke is the only one that uses the name. We read about him in Acts 15, 16, 17, 18. However, the Romanized version of his name, Silvanus, is mentioned by Paul in several of his letters and also by Peter in 1 Peter. To be clear…the Silas and Silvanus we read about in the Scripture are the same person. Just like Simon & Peter, Saul and Paul,

Silas became Paul’s replacement for Barnabas and accompanied him on the second missionary journey, apparently having a major impact in Thessalonica and Corinth, and especially Ephesus.

Acts 18:19 (NASB)

19 They came to Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.

1 Timothy 1:1–3 (NASB)

3 As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines,

2 Corinthians 1:19 (NASB)

19 For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but is yes in Him.

1 Thessalonians 1:1 (NASB)

1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

2 Thessalonians 1:1 (NASB)

1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 5:12 (NASB)

12 Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!

Peter indicates that is was Silas/Silvanus, that delivered Peter’s letter to many of the churches of the Gentiles.

1 Peter 1:1 (NASB)

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen

Apparently this was a major role that Silas had in the early church. He was excellent and delivering letters to the churches. He did it at least 5 times that we are aware of.

The Message: (v. 23-29)

23 and they sent this letter by them, “The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings. 24 “Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, 25 it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 “Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

(v. 24) A strong rebuke of the sect of the circumcision.

Acts 15:1–2 (NASB)

1 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.

(v. 25-27) Sending two witnesses (Judas Barsabbas and Silas)

Matthew 18:16 (NASB)

16 “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed.

Deuteronomy 19:15 (ESV)

15 “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.

(v. 28-29) Instruction for godly living and unity in the church.

1) Idolatry, and any connection to it, including the meat connected to it.

2) Immorality, especially sexual immorality.

(v. 30-41)

30 So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message. 33 After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out. 34 But it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also, the word of the Lord. 36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. 38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

(v. 30-33)

The letter brought great encouragement to those in Antioch. And after that, there was apparently a long but awesome sermon that was delivered by Judas Barsabbas and Silas.

(v. 34-36)

Silas stays in Antioch, serving alongside Paul and Barnabas, and apparently John Mark too. They were teaching and preaching, making disciples in Antioch (That’s what “strengthening” the church means).

(v. 37-41) The split…

37 Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. 38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

This is the passage of Scripture where we get the whole, “agree to disagree”. Two men, leaders in the church, friends for over 15 years, and brothers in Christ, couldn’t come to an agreement and as a result, they “agreed to disagree”. But the reality is, Paul and Barnabas didn’t handle this well. They didn’t agree on anything here, even disagreeing. They divided and went their separate ways.

The right way for Christians to agree to disagree is not to break fellowship but rather to stop arguing about something that really doesn’t matter and especially isn’t worth the disunity it is causing. We agree to drop it in love and continue in unity and fellowship with one another. When you break fellowship over a matter, you aren’t agreeing to disagree.

If I had to say who handled it best, I would have to say Paul. I can see an argument for Barnabas, considering how Mark turned out, but that could have just been the grace of God coming in to play. The ends never justify the means...

39 ...Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

The church appears to have not only sided with Paul in this matter, they commissioned both he an Silas to go on the second missionary journey but they didn’t do that for Barnabas and Mark.

Let’s examine the split a little further:

The King James says, “… the contention was so sharp...”

Acts 15:37–39 (MSG)

37 Barnabas wanted to take John along, the John nicknamed Mark. 38 But Paul wouldn’t have him; he wasn’t about to take along a quitter who, as soon as the going got tough, had jumped ship on them in Pamphylia. 39 Tempers flared, and they ended up going their separate ways...

Acts 13:13 (NASB)

13 Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem.

The Greek word for “sharp disagreement” is “paroxusmos” and it means, in this context, “provocation” or “irritation”.

They became sinfully angry with one another. They were irritated, frustrated and provoked to anger, because of their unwavering sharp disagreement and it resulted in them going their separate ways.

Barnabas and Mark and not mentioned again in the book of Acts. That doesn’t mean God didn’t use them, in fact, we are going to look into how much God did use them here in a but. But what it does indicate, once again, is that the book of Acts primarily focuses on the birth of the church and the spread of the Gospel, the first half of the book zooming in on the leadership of Peter and the second half of the book zooming in on the leadership of the Apostle Paul.

What we know about Mark:

Colossians 4:10–11 (NASB)

10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.

Philemon 23–24 (NASB)

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.

2 Timothy 4:11 (NASB)

11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.

1 Peter 5:13 (NASB)

13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark.

And we also know Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark. Mark’s Gospel was the first of the four Gospels to be written.

What we know about Barnabas:

Isn’t it rather ironic that the two men that went to great lengths to stop the division in the church in Antioch, end up having a divisive argument themselves? And yet, the gracious redeeming sovereignty of God is on full display because this situation had a major positive impact on the spread of the Gospel.

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

I interpret it like this… Paul was right about who should go on the second missionary journey, but wrong on as a whole. Barnabas likely sided with Mark because he was family, and his heart to encourage and build up caused him to forget the role wisdom played in a missionary journey like this. We get no indication that Barnabas even did mission work after this. He went back home to Cyprus and brought Mark with him there. And maybe that’s why Mark did grow. A second missionary journey might have done him in for good. In Cyprus Mark was able to be discipled by Barnabas and grow without the major pressures of mission work that he wasn’t ready to handle. Silas was ready for it and we see that in Acts 16-18. God used Barnabas to disciple and develop Mark and then God sent Mark out when he was finally mature and ready.

Discussion Questions:

What does this passage teach us about God?

What does this passage teach us about man?

Do you see any commands to obey or principles to apply?

Do you see any promises to claim or blessings to enjoy?

Do you see any truths to meditate on or Gospel messages to share?

Did anything else stick out to you?