Paul and Barnabas had a fight.  We are not told who was in the right or who was in the wrong, but their disagreement was so sharp that they went their own ways.  God used this foul up.  He actually had two teams emerge from where there had been one.

You may have a sharp disagreement with someone.  You may be unable to reconcile with a family friend, a church, or a colleague.  However, God can use these things for his kingdom.  We should not look for a fight, but we should not grieve a falling out as if it is a disaster.

Acts 15:36-16:10

³⁶ Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” ³⁷ Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, ³⁸ but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. ³⁹ They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, ⁴⁰ but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. ⁴¹ He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

¹ Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. ² The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. ³ Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. ⁴ As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. ⁵ So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

 ⁶ Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. ⁷ When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. ⁸ So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. ⁹ During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Questions

1. What were Paul and Barnabas fighting about?
2. Where did Paul and Barnabas go and with whom?
3. How would you describe Paul’s ministry in this passage until he receives a vision from God to go to Macedonia?
4. Why does God allow infighting among churches, missions, and Christians?
5. What difficulties are you having in your relationships?  How can God use those struggles?