Does Paul Ever Work With John Mark Again
And yet, St. Mark despite his less than stellar kickoff in Church Leadership came to show his worth and was reconciled to St. Paul.
Perhaps to piece of work the back story a bit we should start by focusing on St. Barnabas for a moment, and then turn our Attention to St. Paul.
St. Barnabas was a Jew, a native of Cyprus, and was of the tribe of Levi. As such he likely served in the Temple equally a priest, depending on his age at his conversion to Christianity. His given name was Joseph, merely the Apostles chosen him Barnabas, which means "Son of Encouragement" (cf Acts four:36).
Likewise he was probably a wealthy man, for St. Luke presents him early on in the book of Acts as a generous man who sold land to support the growing Church.
Most critically, it was he who vouched for the new convert Saul of Tarsus later known equally Paul. For Paul was viewed with suspicion by those in Jerusalem, including the Apostles, who only been recently targets of his persecutions (cf Acts nine:26).
Talk most one of the most pivotal introductions in history! Indeed it may be argued that this introduction changed the form of Western History and surely that of the Church. Barnabas smoothed the mode for the Church building's nearly zealous missionary and her greatest Biblical Theologian, St. Paul. Afterward Barnabas' introduction, Paul was able to move freely about the disciples.
Some fourth dimension after this, the apostles in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch which was now growing and thriving congregation of both Jews and Gentiles. Information technology seems clear he was not considered yet to be of the rank of campaigner or bishop, (for Acts 13:1 calls him a teacher), it appears he went more to discover and be of aid. Under his leadership and the leadership of others, the Church at that place thrived and grew quite rapidly.
So Barnabas sent for Paul to come and join him. They work together for the catamenia of at to the lowest degree a year, and it was at Antioch the disciples were called Christians for the first time (Acts xi:26). In so doing he continues to advance and build up Paul'southward ministry in the Church. Frankly this likewise is a stunning moment in Church history, given us by Barnabas. It is not incorrect to telephone call St. Paul the protege of Barnabas.
At a certain critical moment leaders at Antioch laid hands on Barnabas and Saul. And while it is debated by some, this is the clearest moment when nosotros can now say they are ordained, and given the rank of Bishop and the title "Apostle."
Missionaries – Having done this, the Church leaders at Antioch, directed past the Holy Spirit, send them forth on missionary work. This journey is what is now come to be known equally Paul's first missionary journey. It is interesting to annotation, that early in the missionary journeying, Barnabas is ever listed first, and so Paul. But rather chop-chop, in Acts 13:43, the social club changes, and Paul is ever listed showtime. This suggests a alter in leadership.
They took with them on this offset journey the cousin of Barnabas, John, who was called Mark. Somewhat early on this missionary journey, Mark decides he tin no longer continue and turns away from the missionary trip. This volition bear witness significant later on.
The last major function for Barnabas was in Acts, in the 15th chapter, at the Council of Jerusalem which was chosen to decide whether Gentile converts could become full members of the church building without converting to Judaism. Barnabas, along with Paul, provided of import evidence every bit to the zeal and conversion of the Gentiles.
A Pitiful moment – After the Quango in Jerusalem Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch in triumph, their ministry building vindicated. They planned another missionary journey together. But here comes the critical and distressing moment, that sets forth our instruction:
Some fourth dimension later Paul said to Barnabas, "Allow united states of america go dorsum and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." Barnabas wanted to take John, as well called Marking, with them, merely Paul did not remember it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the piece of work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted visitor. Barnabas took Marking and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left….(Acts 15:36-forty)
A deplorable moment, but illustrating the human situation. Hither are two men who accept been like brothers. Paul owes his inclusion in leadership largely to Barnabas, and together they had taught together, and journeyed hundreds of miles by ship and then past pes into the northern mountains making converts in constructive ministry together. And, more recently they accept just returned from Jerusalem, their vision and ministry approved and vindicated against nay-sayers amid the brethren. And yet, at this magnificent moment Paul and Barnabas argue and function company over Mark, the cousin of Barnabas.
One of the things I adore most about the Biblical text is that it does not "clean upwards" stuff similar this. Our heroes are non perfect men, they are flawed, and allegorical of the human status: gifted and strong, but struggling as well with the aforementioned issues and demons that haunt u.s.a. all.
The lesson? God uses us even in our weakness. Who was correct and who was incorrect here? Information technology is difficult to say. 2 gifted men unable to overcome an impasse, alas, the fallen human condition. Merely God will continue to work. He can brand a way out of no fashion and write straight with crooked lines.
Even more than deplorable, this is the terminal nosotros hear of Barnabas in any substantial style. He who had been so instrumental in the life of his protege Paul, and in the early Church, now exits the stage in the heat of an argument. The text says he and Mark sailed for Cyprus, and so silence……
In that location is mention of him in Galatians only, given the vague timeline it is difficult to assume it takes place after the disagreement. It likely took place earlier and may illustrate that there were already tensions between Paul and Barnabas before the "Mark incident." For information technology would seem that Barnabas was following Peter'south weak instance of not eating with Gentiles, and this clearly upset Paul (cf Gal 2:13).
Healing? Yet, It would too seem that Barnabas continued to labor as a missionary for Paul makes mention of him to the Corinthians (cf one Cor 9:six). And although his reference is passing, information technology is not unrespectful. This suggests some healing of the rift, even if information technology does not mean they labored together again.
More healing? And fifty-fifty for John, called Mark (likely the same Mark who became secretary to Peter and authored the Gospel of Marking), information technology would seem Paul and he overcame their difficulties. For St Paul wrote to Timothy, likely about the same Mark: Get Marker and bring him with you, considering he is helpful to me in my ministry building (2 Tim 4:11). Something of a redemption here for Mark and a healing for Paul. The "useless" deserter Mark, at present one who is helpful to Paul.
Perhaps, though the loss and seeming disappearance of St. Barnabas is distressing, in that location is still the Story of St. Mark'southward growth to greater maturity and to leadership. Though less than reliable at first, he later proves hsi worth. It would seem nosotros have St. Peter to thank for that, taking Mark every bit his secretary and age. We besides have St. Barnabas to thank who did not give upwards on Marking. But at the end of the John Marking proves himself helpful in the ministry and St. Peter could call him "My son." (i Peter 5:14)
God can brand a mode out of no mode. Even in our weakness, (and often only because our weakness keeps us humble), God tin can do cracking things.
Source: http://blog.adw.org/2013/04/on-the-story-of-mark-and-what-it-teaches-us-about-reconciliation/
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