A l l P r a i s e B u l l e t i n

“DISPATCHING THE TRUTHS OF THE WORD OF GOD”

WHEN GODLY PEOPLE DIFFER
By Chaplain Dave Purdle, Founder, Ministry 9-1-1, Shelby Twp., MI
Acts 15:36-41

Let me give you some facts about disagreements: 1) They are inevitable; 2) People will not always agree; 3) Disagreements have the same two ingredients: an issue and varying viewpoints; 4) There are some disagreements where each side is valid.

In Acts 15:36-41, we see a differing of opinion between Paul and Barnabas. The issue was John Mark, the nephew of Barnabas. Briefly, to give you some background, John Mark deserted missionaries Paul and Barnabas during their first journey. It is unknown as to why he left.

Notice the conflict did not concern a key doctrinal or biblical issue. Earlier in Acts 15, Paul, Barnabas, and other apostles had contended “for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (cf. Jude 3) at the Jerusalem Conference. The apostles, specifically Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and James, illustrated faith alone in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ (as opposed to faith plus works [i.e. the Old Testament law] that certain Christians Jews were teaching at that time). Let me say this with no apology: When there is a difference of opinion to God’s Word, then we have to fight for it (as illustrated in Jude 3, “should earnest contend”). But the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas is about an issue and/or varying viewpoint concerning a method, a procedure, or a human idea. Notice four thoughts from this passage of Scripture:

There was a decision. “And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do” (verse 36). Paul senses the need to return to all the churches they had visited and founded on that first journey, then retracing their steps back to Antioch. (As a sidenote, leading people to Christ is only the beginning. We must help them grow in the Lord as well.) Barnabas agrees with Paul’s plan for making a return trip, and suggests that his nephew, John Mark come with them (read verse 37 in the next point). So we have a decision. Yet God had some different plans for this pair. God, in His wisdom and because He is Sovereign, allowed things to be stirred up in order that the Gospel could go forward. What did Christ say before He ascended into heaven: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Many times in the book of Acts, through persecution, people scattered; God allowed this to happen to fulfill HIS PLANS.

There was a disagreement. “And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work” (verses 37-38). Look at both sides a moment. Barnabas had his reasons. He saw the situation through his giftedness (as a point of reference, the name “Barnabas” means “son of exhortation”); Barnabas was concerned about the maturing process of single follower of Christ; he was led by the Spirit to encourage an immature but growing brother; he saw a brother in need of “a second chance.” He felt it would be good for Mark if he came. Imagine some of Barnabas’ thoughts: “I will work with him more closely this time” – “Mark has grown after the first experience” – “We need to help him to grow so that he can do the task.” All of these are valid points. Now, let’s see Paul’s reasons. He saw the situation through his giftedness as well; Paul was deeply concerned about the work of the ministry of Jesus Christ; he was led by the same Spirit to encourage the churches; however, he thought it would be good for the work if Mark didn’t come. Use your imagination again and think about what Paul might have been thinking: “He deserted us the first journey” – “He’s a rookie” – “He does not have the will or desire necessary to complete the task the Lord called him to.” Again, these are valid points. Who is right? Thus…

There was a division. “And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other; and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus. And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches” (verses 39-41). There was a fall out, a blow up, a confrontation. Notice a couple of the words in verse 39. I’m sure all of us have been in situations where there is contention between individuals. Contention means a dispute in anger. But notice the word “sharp” as well. This means “rapid” or “acid.” We think of people in the Bible as perhaps timid or mealy-mouthed. Not in this case! If you’ve been in or heard a full-blown argument or disagreement, this was it! Out of this confrontation, there was a negative and a positive. The negative was that the missionary team of Paul and Barnabas was divided. Separation was not wrong of itself—sometimes we have to go our separate ways. But the way they separated was wrong. It was sin because of the anger shown between the two men. Notice how the two groups left (v. 40). Paul and Silas departed to Syria and Cilicia—recommended by the brethren (i.e. the church at Antioch); Barnabas and Mark sailed off to Cyprus—no recommendation seen in this Scriptures by the church at Antioch. In fact, there was no further mention of Barnabas and Mark in rest of the book of Acts. Let’s now look at the positive impact: The missionary potential doubled (for God’s glory). God used Barnabas to give Mark “another opportunity.” God used Paul to advance the work, because Paul and Silas ministered to new people on their second missionary journey.

There was a definite future impact. Before and after the incident, Paul made reference to Barnabas in his epistles (cf. I Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 2:1, 9; Colossians 4:10). As well, Paul speaks highly of John Mark in his prison epistles (cf. Colossians 4:10; II Timothy 4:11). Mark grew in maturity, and went on to become a man much used of God in the early church.

What do you do when conflict arises? Disagreements are inevitable. Work hard at seeing both viewpoints. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3-5). We can be blinded by our strengths. Seek a wise compromise. Is the disagreement a biblical or doctrinal one? Don’t back down if it is biblically sound and correct. If the conflict persists, care enough to work through it. Ask for God’s wisdom and direction. God can use our disagreements for His glory and our growth.

Bible Trivia: Signs

1. What food was a sign of the deliverance from Egypt?
2. What day was a sign of completion and rest?
3. Who received a wet fleece as a sign of God’s approval?
4. What was given as a sign that God would not flood the earth again?
5. Who set up twelve stones as a sign of God’s parting of the Jordan?
6. What was given as a sign that the shepherds had found the baby Jesus?

Public Safety Ministry Updates

We encourage you to support public safety ministries that glorify God, bring forth the truth of the Gospel, and are an encouragement to you. The Centurion Law Enforcement Fellowship (Denver, Colorado) (www.thecenturionlawenforcementministry.org) continues to grow under the ministry of Detective Michael "MC" Williams. You can sign up for their weekly newsletters by checking out their website. Detective Williams also is a board member with the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (www.fcpo.org) (Chattanooga, TN). The FCPO recently announced the retirement of their Executive Director, Grant Wolf, after 17 years of faithful service. The FCPO has selected Lamar Moore as their new director. We wish Lamar Moore God’s very best in his new position. Speaking of Grant Wolf (and we congratulate him on his retirement from FCPO), he is still actively involved in chaplaincy work at Chattanooga (TN) PD. Brother Wolf is also coordinating a new devotional book, tentatively entitled, “Stories from the Streets.” I am attaching a flyer from Brother Wolf to encourage you to contribute a story to his book. Citizens Obediently Praying for Safety (C.O.P.S Ministries) (www.copsministry.org) under the direction of Officer Randy Myers is a group that prays for law enforcement officers, corrections officers, and 911 dispatchers. I signed up for prayer through their website and have received a birthday card and a free t-shirt. Recently, Officer Myers contacted me to update his information so that his group could continue to pray for me. 10-4 Ministries, under Travis Yates (www.tenfourministries.org), has partnered with Grace Bible Church of Tulsa and certified Biblical Counselor and Retired Police Officer Kevin Johnson to offer Biblical Counseling, free of charge, to Law Enforcement Professionals and their family. If you are in need of Biblical Counseling, please contact 10-4 Ministries at (866)-596-2455. All information will be kept confidential. Please be in prayer for each of these vital ministries to public safety personnel!

In Christ,

Dave Purdle
Ministry 9-1-1
Email ministry-911@hotmail.com

Worry is the act of distrusting God and trusting self.

How much time a day do you spend worrying? Have you ever stopped to think about how much you worry? Consider these statistics from a recent study on the focus of people's worries:

40%-things that will never happen
30%-things about the past that can't be changed
12%-things about criticism by others, mostly untrue
10%-about health, which gets worse with stress
8%-about real problems that will be faced

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (I Peter 5:7)

(Excerpt from “Daily in the Word” 1/8/10 by Dr. Paul Chappell)

Bible Trivia answers: 1] Unleavened bread (Exodus 13:7-9); 2] The Sabbath (Exodus 31:13); 3] Gideon (Judges 6:36-38); 4] A rainbow (Genesis 9:13-17); 5] Joshua (Joshua 4:6); 6] The swaddling clothes and the manger (Luke 2:12)

As a representative of your agency, thank you for allowing us to send this bi-weekly newsletter to you. Please read and enjoy; feel free to pass it along to other dispatchers in your department. Ministry 9-1-1 is a non-profit, volunteer evangelistic and counseling outreach specifically for 9-1-1 telecommunicators. Call or write if we can be of any assistance to you or your agency.