Paul And Barnabas

by R. Ross, Hartlepool | Category: The Life And Work Of Paul | Jun 1971

"Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles" (Acts 9:27).

With these words Luke focuses attention on the beginning of a friendship between two mighty men in divine things; a friendship which was designed, under God, to open up new horizons in the expansion of the work of the Lord in that day.

Paul's immediate past was well enough known. He had been the arch-enemy of the truth of God, infatuated with ideas of his own importance, until he met the Lord on the way to Damascus and was converted from the error of his way. Three years had run their course since then (Gal. 1:18), but the spectre of the persecutor still haunted the saints (Acts 9:26); hence the necessity for a man of the calibre of Barnabas to act as link-man between Saul and the saints via the apostles. At this juncture Barnabas proved to be a true "son of consolation" and on his testimony Saul was accepted by the apostles.

Shortly after this Paul (the Roman form of his name, as he was later called) had his first crisis in Jerusalem. During his preaching he encountered Greek-speaking Jews against whom he disputed, presumably because of their opposition to his teaching. Later these Jews sought his life and the brethren decided, for his own safety, to send him to Tarsus, his home city. This was the overruling of God, for later the work spread to Antioch in northern Syria (which was contiguous with Cilicia, and Tarsus was reasonably near) in a manner which could not have been predicted by the apostles except perhaps through prophetic utterance.

The work in Antioch of Syria

In the sovereign outworking of God's will certain of those who were of the church at Jerusalem at that time were scattered abroad through the tribulation that arose about Stephen. Among them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they eventually reached Antioch, preached the Lord Jesus to the Greeks as well as to the Jews. Great blessing followed their labours (Acts 11:21). The report of this reached the apostles (the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem) and forthwith they sent Barnabas (a man who would know the area well, its customs and its dialects) in whom they had every confidence. He was entrusted with the task of linking the new work in Antioch with the established work in Jerusalem. This he did most effectively. The calibre of the man is clearly seen in the record: "he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith". As a result of his work many were added to the assembly in Antioch by the Lord (Acts 11:23,24).

Barnabas perceived the importance of this development in the work amongst both Jews and Gentiles. How could the work be advanced? To translate thought into action a suitable co-worker was necessary. Who better than the indomitable Paul, near at hand in Tarsus, a vessel prepared, meet for the Master's use? So Barnabas sought out Paul and brought him to Antioch, and for a whole year they worked in harness teaching the pure doctrine of the Lord. They were teachers of the highest order and the effect of their labours was obvious. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. A willing response to the Lord's word always produces Christlikeness in those who believe.

Antioch and beyond - the first tour

There were many gifted prophets and teachers in the church in Antioch. The order of the names is, perhaps, significant (Acts 13:1). Barnabas, the patriarchal figure, a man worthy of double honour (1 Tim. 5:17), was probably numbered with the assembly since its inception, then Saul (Paul), the last mentioned though not the least thought of; less than the least of all saints in his own estimation, yet whose faithfulness and gentleness acclaim him as one of the greatest apostles.

There was evidently deep exercise in the church at Antioch about outreach; their fasting was evidence of this. It was during this time that the unmistakable direction of the Holy Spirit was heard, "Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them" (Acts 13:2). These beloved servants of the Lord were to be loosed from their labours in Antioch for a specific work among the Gentiles, thus giving effect to the great commission of our Lord (Matt. 28:18-20). Only those exercised to comply with the will of the Lord will be called to do it, and such a call is specifically to the exercised individual.

The word through David would seem to be apposite here, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1). Though of differing temperaments Barnabas and Saul learned to dwell together in fellowship, in harmony in the Spirit, to the blessing and benefit of others. Such servants the Lord could use. The white harvest fields of needy Gentiles beckoned them on. We note that Barnabas and Saul were sent to the work with the full fellowship of the leaders in Antioch (Acts 13:3), and in response to the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit-"sent forth by the Holy Spirit" (v.4).

John Mark accompanied the Lord's servants as an attendant, useful for ministering in the daily round on the more mundane things of travel and movement in those days. It is possible that Barnabas may have influenced his fellow-worker in the choice of Mark because Mark was the cousin of Barnabas (Col. 4:10). It is significant that when Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem Mark accompanied them (Acts 12:25).

At this point Barnabas seemed to be playing a leading part in what might be called policy decisions. The party heads for Cyprus, the home-country of Barnabas, and with significant thoroughness they covered the whole island in their labours. Their encounter with Elymas was a highlight of the tour. At Paphos, while they were addressing Sergius Paulus the proconsul, Elymas (who appears to have been numbered with the proconsul's household-a kind of private eye) withstood the apostles by heckling, seeking to minimize the importance of the message. Saul (called Paul here for the first time by the narrator) by the power of the Spirit, in a masterly indictment, crushed the opposition of Satan through the sorcerer, who was stricken with temporary blindness. When the proconsul saw the summary effect of divine judgement, he believed.

Paul now moves into the foreground of the narrative: "Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia" (about 275 miles west of Antioch in Syria). At this point John Mark departed from them and returned unto Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). This departure was deliberate and, as may be deduced from Paul's analysis of these events, was certainly not for health reasons (Acts 15:38). The action, though seemingly innocuous, had grave repercussions later

on. We should remember that "none of us liveth to himself" (Rom. 14:7), and that our actions can affect the Lord's work for good or ill.

From Perga the company struck northwards to Antioch in Pisidia, laterally about 300 miles from the base in Antioch in Syria. There the door of opportunity swung open for the evangelists. Paul used every legitimate means for the promulgating of the gospel. On the sabbath in the synagogue he fearlessly presented the truth as it is in Jesus. His address (Acts 13:16-41) is a model one; historically penetrating and well punctuated with scripture references. His Jewish audience were left in no doubt as to the implications of the message. Then there was the after-meeting (v.43) and the aftermath (vv. 44-52). As a result the evangelists made many contacts and their presence in town became widely known. A week later "almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God". This was probably the largest open-air gathering so far addressed by Paul and Barnabas. But the work of the Adversary was soon evident. The national pride of the Jews was aroused by the presence of so many Gentiles and caused them to contradict the word and blaspheme. The rebuke administered by Paul and Barnabas indicates the serious consequences of rejecting the divine offer of eternal life. The inclusion of Gentiles in God's saving plan was in accord with the commandment of the Lord and brought gladness to them. Many believed and the word of God was spread abroad throughout all the region. But the Jews urged on the nobility of the city to persecute Paul and Barnabas and to cast them out of their borders.

The cities of Lycaonia (Lower Galatia)

Much of the tribulation of travelling in those days is veiled in the narrative. Abruptly we are introduced to the first of a cluster of cities south-east from Antioch in Pisidia-Iconium. Again the synagogue was the trysting-place: "They so spake that a great multitude both of Jews and Greeks believed" (Acts 14:1). What conviction the message carried! The zeal of God's house and kingdom spurred the preachers and God gave the increase. In face of mounting opposition from both Jews and Gentiles they continued "speaking boldly in the Lord" who confirmed their testimony by the signs which followed, until, becoming aware of a plot to stone them, they fled to the nearby cities of Lystra and Derbe. These dear men did not seclude themselves; on the contrary "they preached the gospel" in those cities (Acts 14:7).

At Lystra Paul met a congenital cripple and with God-given discernment perceived that the man had faith to be made whole. With a loud voice the apostle commanded him to stand upright, and the man leaped up and walked. The miracle was seen by many. The men of Lycaonia, being steeped in Greek mythology, concluded that Paul and Barnabas were theophanic manifestations of their gods, so-called. They would have done sacrifice to them but were restrained by the apostles, who rent their garments and cried out, "We also are men of like passions with you ... turn from these vain things unto the living God" (Acts 14:15). Then came Jews from Antioch and Iconium and persuaded the multitudes, whereupon they stoned Paul and callously dragged him out of the city in the belief that he was dead. We believe the apostle alludes to this stoning experience in 2 Cor. 12:1-4. What a tragedy, speaking after the manner of men, had Paul been removed at that point! But the God whom he served in his spirit in the gospel of His Son stood by His servant, and Paul was miraculously restored to the disciples. Undaunted he re-entered Lystra an~ the next day with Barnabas moved on to Derbe reaching the end-point of their tour. Paul's natural force seemed unabated in spite of the ordeal at Lystra. They both preached the gospel and many disciples were made.

The return Journey

In Derbe, Lystra, Iconium and Antioch of Pisidia churches of God were planted in accordance with principles enunciated by the apostles under the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. Obviously the apostles were anxious that what the disciples had been taught should be firmly established in their minds and were therefore at pains to confirm them in matters relating to the Faith and the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). The appointment of elders in every church was no afterthought of the apostles but an integral part of the Faith. Men of spiritual maturity and vision were to bear rule in the assemblies "according unto God" (1 Pet. 5:2). Retracing their steps, Paul and Barnabas eventually reached Antioch in Syria from whence they had been sent to the work. What a welcome meeting it must have been after years of absence as they rehearsed to the church all that God had done and how. He had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles

The parting of the ways (Acts 15: '30-31)

After tarrying for some time teaching at Antioch Paul proposed to Barnabas that they should re-visit the various churches which had been planted in Gentile territory. Barnabas willingly concurred, but it would seem only on the condition that Mark accompanied them. Paul considered the suggestion unwise in view of Mark's case-history, and his precipitate withdrawal from the work on the first tour. We cannot think that Paul harboured any resentment towards. John Mark. Rather it would seem he was passing a value-judgement on Mark's suitability for the work, at least at that point. Paul's firm attitude led to a confrontation between these two mighty men, and "there arose a sharp contention". Did Barnabas regard his co-worker's non-compliance with his wishes as a personal insult seeing he was cousin of Mark? We may never know, but on the face of it it was a melancholy tragedy. Unity, particularly in leadership, is vital to progress in spiritual things. It must have been a scene tinged "with sadness when these two great men parted the one from the other, Paul eventually choosing Silas as a co-worker to go forth once more to the Lord's work in fellowship with his brethren, and Barnabas, still greatly loved by Paul, sailing away to Cyprus with Mark.

R. Ross, Hartlepool | Jun 1971
The Life And Work Of Paul