You can go your own way

Context: Where does this fit in the Big Picture of God's Glory?

After the church has addressed Church-wide problems in Acts 6 and Acts 15, we now see interpersonal conflict

Between mature believers

Acts 15:36–41 CSB

36 After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers and sisters in every town where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they’re doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take along John who was called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord. 41 He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Overview: What's going on here?

What is clear: Paul did not want Mark to go with them. Barnabas did want Mark to go with them.

(Ref Acts 13:13 where Mark left them on the first trip.)

What is not clear: The nature/depth of the argument or situation, except that it was “sharp”; we do not know WHY Mark left

Reflection: Why does this matter?

Sometimes the best thing you can do is go forward to what God is telling you to do, and let others go fulfill their calling.

New Testament V: Acts They Yield to One Another

I think that the parting took place advisedly and that they said to each other, “Since I wish to, but you do not, let us distribute the places so that we should not fight.” Therefore it was because they yielded to each other that they parted. For Barnabas wanted Paul to prevail and so withdrew. Likewise Paul wanted Barnabas to prevail and he, too, withdrew. Would that we should part such partings to go forth for preaching. “Paul,” it says, “chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.” A wonderful man is he, and very great!

New Testament V: Acts A Quarrel Occurred

A QUARREL OCCURRED. BEDE: Do not think this a moral fault, for it is not evil to be agitated. Rather it is evil to be agitated unreasonably, when no just reason demands it. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

Expectations: What do we do about it?

After you’ve been on a missions journey, been stoned and left for dead, and come back to defend truth and grace, then you can fight about things in church.

If you cannot work together without quarrelling, find separate pathways to work.

Don’t so insist that you win that you completely immobilize others in their work.

Wherever you go, however you go: strengthen one another. Too often, we move from one disappointment to spread discouragement around the world rather than moving on and bringing joy at our presence