Two Teams

Pete Kersker - Sep 04, 2026

Paul wanted to go on another trip to encourage the believers in the cities where they had planted new churches. Barnabas wanted to bring along John Mark; equipping one more to serve. Paul was still frustrated with John Mark for leaving them in the middle of their first trip.

They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company (Acts 15:39a NIV).

There is a noticeable difference between the way Paul and Barnabas started these two journeys (Acts 13:1-3; 15:36-41). The first was clearly led by the Holy Spirit, who communicated to five of them in a way that they were in unity. The second had much more of themselves in the the two of them had a "sharp disagreement" and parted ways.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28 NIV).

In both cases, though, the two of them loved the Lord. We can see this in the way God works things out. They do not go on this next trip together, but they both go on this next trip. They do not travel as a team, but each of them travel as a team of two; just as Jesus sent out others (Mark 6:7; Luke 10:1). Their dispute threatened the unity and work of Christ's church, but God, once again, worked it out for good.

Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches (Acts 15:39b-41).

Have you ever seen God work something out for good that started off bad?
Have you ever experienced it yourself (God working something bad out for your good)?
Take some time to just pause to thank and praise God for working with us in this way.