Acts 15 Church Split

Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch. There they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.

Some time later Paul spoke to Barnabas. “Let’s go back to all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord,” he said. “Let’s visit the believers and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them. But Paul didn’t think it was wise to take him. Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia. He hadn’t continued with them in their work. Barnabas and Paul strongly disagreed with each other. So they went their separate ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas. The believers asked the Lord to give his grace to Paul and Silas as they went.Paul traveled through Syria and Cilicia. He gave strength to the churches there (vv. 35-41).

Interesting that church members have been fighting and parting ways since the very beginning!

Pay for Pray

In verses 3-14, Paul makes a case for full-time ministers to be paid for their time and to be allowed to marry.

Fight, fight, fight, fight!

In verses 36-41, we read about the sharp disagreement between Barnabas and Paul over John Mark.

Whose side are you on?

Couriers

In verses 22-35, we learn that members of the Jerusalem council select special messengers to deliver the new guidelines for Gentiles to the believers in Antioch.

Barnabas & Paul’s Review

In Acts 15:12, the believers listen to Barnabas and Paul describe their experiences with the Gentiles.

This is more evidence to encourage the council to take a simple stand on how to become a non-Jewish Christian.

Outline of Acts 15

1. Jerusalem Council: Gentiles don’t need to keep the whole Law
2. This ruling is communicated to the wider church
3. Paul and Barnabas argue about John Mark

Appointing Leaders

In verses 23-28, Luke describes the process that Paul and Barnabas go through when visiting various churches.

They wisely appoint elders in the churches they visit.

At the end, they report their progress to their home church in Antioch.  I wonder if they had a potluck dinner and a slideshow.

I Get Knocked Down

In verses 20-22, Paul and Barnabas “get knocked down, but they get up again; nothing gonna keep” them down!

Stoned

The crowd quickly turns against Paul and Barnabas, and they attack Paul with stones.

The abuse is so severe, they leave him for dead.

In fact, this event makes it into Paul’s famous list of trials in 2 Corinthians 11.

Cut It Out!

In verse 14-18, Paul and Barnabas beg the crowd to stop treating them like gods.