Paul and Barnabas were part of the first missionary team ever to go out. These two men experienced powerful, fruitful ministry together until a sharp disagreement occurred that would shape both of them going forward.
After Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, he preached Christ in the synagogues and people were amazed (see Acts 9:20-21). But when he went to Jerusalem and “tried to join the disciples … they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple” (9:26). Paul had killed Christians before his conversion and some believers thought he might be faking. But God had strategically placed a seasoned man of God named Barnabas in Paul’s path: “Barnabas took [Saul] and brought him to the apostles … [and] he was with them at Jerusalem” (9:27-28). So it seems that if there had been no Barnabas, there may not have been an Apostle Paul.
A disagreement between Paul and Barnabas occurred when Paul wanted to revisit the cities where they had ministered on their missionary journeys. A good idea on its face, but the two couldn’t agree on who would accompany them and “… the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another” (15:37-39). These brothers in Christ separated and we don’t hear anything more about Barnabas until six years later (see Galatians 2:13) — and the reference to him is not complimentary. We can only imagine something settled in his spirit that caused him to walk away from his original calling. Perhaps he had unrealistic expectations or he held a grudge that caused a crippling wound in his spirit. Whatever it was, Barnabas ended up in a really bad place.
You may occasionally have a sharp disagreement with someone in your life but Paul said, “If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your grudge. Don’t let the sun go down without dealing with your anger or you give a foothold to the devil” (see Ephesians 4:26-27).
The only thing that truly heals wounds is forgiveness. Whether you are the offender or the offended, the blood of Jesus covers the sin. How wonderful to know that the Lord is quick to forgive and he will work forgiveness in us if we will allow him to.
Pastor Tim pastored an inner-city congregation in Detroit for thirty years before serving at Brooklyn Tabernacle in NYC for five years. He and his wife Cindy presently pastor in Lafayette, Louisiana.