We noted earlier that Acts 15 contains two classic conflicts in the church. They are doctrinal disputes (vs. 1-35) and personality differences (vs. 36-41). In our last study we discussed the problem created by the believing Pharisees who sought to bind the Law of Moses on the Gentile converts. The last passages in chapter 15 related briefly the conflict between Paul and John Mark. At the beginning of chapter 15, it was Paul and Barnabas who powerfully opposed and disputed with the Judaizers.

The King James Version says that they "had no small dissension and disputation with them." (15:2.) The NIV reads, "This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them." Disputes between converted men will occur. Some of these disputes may be over serious doctrinal matters; but often they are personality conflicts reflecting the immaturity of the disputants.

All we know about this conflict is found in these few verses. Paul did not want to take John Mark because he left the missionary work at Pamphylia. Paul was determined to not allow him to go with them this time. Barnabas, whose name means consoler, wanted to take Mark. Due to this dispute, the missionary effort had two arms of outreach. Paul and Silas left together; Barnabas took Mark with him. According to Colossians 4:10, Mark was Barnabas’ sister’s son, or his nephew.

Who was right in this conflict? Paul or John Mark? We know that Paul was upset because Mark left the work. We do not know why he left. It might be helpful if we knew why. Was Paul overbearing in his zeal? Few people could keep up with Paul in doing mission work. What do you do with a man like Paul who is so filled with determination and purpose? He wrote that he labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Cor. 15:10.) You let them go to the work. Be as helpful and supportive as possible. The church needs people like Paul. Don’t criticize them. Let them work in spreading the Gospel. Was Mark faithful in his work? We know that his mother had a church that met in her house in Jerusalem. (Acts 12:12.) Mark was raised under the influence of such a prominent disciple. Is it not interesting that the Bible does not tell us who was right in this conflict?

It is not necessary to determine who was right. Remember that Solomon wrote, "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord ponders the hearts." (Prov. 21:2.) "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he that hearkens to counsel is wise." (Prov. 12:15.) Paul by inspiration wrote, "If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men." (Rom. 12:18.) We are wrong when we display an un-Christ-like spirit. We are wrong when the sun goes down on our wrath, when the dispute turns into bitterness and bitterness into hatred. We are wrong when our personality disputes hinder others from obeying the Gospel. Notice that Paul and Mark went on with their missionary work. It does not matter where you go, just go! It does not matter with whom you go, just go!

By the way, Paul and Mark did not remain mad at each other forever. Later, Paul wrote these words about Mark: "Take Mark and bring him with thee, for he is profitable to me for the ministry." (2 Tim. 4:11.) He wrote this about Barnabas: "Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord and Cephas? Or Barnabas and I, have not we power to forbear working?" (1 Cor. 9:5-6.)

A fellow preacher suggested this possible conversation between Paul and Barnabas over allowing Mark to go with them again.

Barnabas: I really think we ought to give Mark another chance.

Paul: No. The Lord said, No one after putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62.)

Barnabas: He also said, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. (Matt. 5:7.)

Paul: This trip won’t be easy, and we must be able to depend on everyone who goes. The Wise Man said, Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble. (Prov. 25:19.)

Barnabas: If you are going to appeal to the Scriptures, don’t forget the stories of David, Jonah, and others. If God is willing to give people a second chance, why shouldn’t we?

Paul: You wouldn’t be standing up for Mark if he weren’t your nephew? (Col. 4:10.)

Barnabas: You aren’t my cousin and I stood up for you in Jerusalem---remember? (Acts 9:26-27.)

(Rick Atchley, "When Brothers Get Off the Mark," May 4, 1986, quoted in Acts 15-28; Truth for Today Commentary, David Roper, 43-44.)

Conflicts are not necessarily evil. The Bible does not try to hide this disagreement from us. It plainly records it for all to read. An inspired apostle and a faithful preacher were involved. Conflicts are not inherently wrong.

Someone wrote, "Conflict is natural, normal, neutral and sometimes even delightful. It can turn into painful or disastrous ends, but it doesn’t have to. Conflict is neither good nor bad, right nor wrong. Conflict simply is." (Caring Enough to Confront, David Augsberger, 11.)

Another person wrote, "Conflict is the price you pay for your individuality." Individuals will always have their own perspective and thoughts. "If two people always agree, then one of you is not necessary." A good marriage is not one in which there are no disagreements, but one where there is mutual respect and constant adjustments to one another out of love.

Conflicts in churches are often dreaded and avoided because many think that Christians do not get involved in conflicts. Yet, good can come from conflicts. Change for good can occur through conflict.

The Cause is greater than conflicts. Paul, Barnabas, Mark and Silas kept right on preaching the Gospel. They were all converted people and knew the Cause for which they worked. The Cause of Christ was greater than any individual conflict between them. We should remember that as well. In a few short years, all four of these missionaries would lie silently in their graves and the Kingdom of God would continue. Whatever their personal desires and ambitions were, the things that belong to Christ are greater. Paul wrote this about Timothy: "I have no man likeminded who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own and not the things which are Jesus Christ’s." (Phil. 2:21.)

There is no evidence that this conflict continued beyond this discussion. They did not write letters condemning one another in the local brother-hood papers. One did not call the other a liberal or a legalist. One did not accuse the other of not being sound in doctrine. Often in personality conflicts, in order to justify the continued bickering, one will accuse the other of not standing for the truth. Neither Paul, Barnabas, nor Mark did that kind of thing. Not long ago a brother was invited to preach in a Gospel Meeting in a city in Tennessee. Some of the brethren who did not like this preacher put up a banner across a busy street downtown announcing their displeasure with this brother and stating that they would not support the meeting! Imagine what harm was done to the Cause of Christ in this community by such a public display of the conflict. Even if they were right in their objection, they were wrong in how they handled it.

Conflicts can become contentious and wrong. It is difficult to do, but the emphasis should be upon the problem being discussed, not the persons involved. Do not allow it to become bitter and personal. I know two preachers who occasionally meet with us in our monthly area-wide meetings. These two preachers are like gas and fire. They do not go together! Sparks start flying the minute these two get together.

This story appeared in Cecil May, Jr.’s "Preacher Talk," July 2001.

"During a service at an old synagogue in Eastern Europe, when the Shema (Deut. 6:4-5) prayer was said, half the congregants stood and half remained sitting. The half that was seated started yelling at those standing to sit down, and the ones standing yelled at the ones sitting to stand up.

"A new rabbi, learned as he was in the Law and commentaries, did not know what to do. His congregation suggested that he consult a 98-year old man who was one of the original founders of their temple. The rabbi hoped the elderly man would be able to tell him what the actual temple tradition was, so he went to the nursing home with a representative of each faction of the congregation.

"The one whose followers stood during Shema said to the old man, Is it our tradition to stand during this prayer? The old man answered, No, that is not our tradition. The one whose followers sat asked, Is it our tradition to sit during Shema? The old man answered, No, that is not our tradition.

"Then the rabbi said to the old man, the congregants fight all the time, yelling at each other about whether they should sit or stand. . . " The old man interrupted, exclaiming, That is our tradition!"

Sadly, that is true for us as well. It is our tradition far too often.

Conclusion: Psalm 133

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren

To dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious ointment upon the head

That ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard,

That went down to the skirts of his garments.

As the dew of Hermon and as the dew that descended

Upon the mountains of Zion;

For there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forever more