Genesis 50:20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

 

Our study through the Book of Acts has brought us to the time when Paul and Barnabas had a falling out. We find this in the 15th Chapter. The Church was doing well in Antioch and Paul decided that he wanted to take a trip and visit some of the Churches they had planted in the past. This would include Cyprus, Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.

 

Paul was a wholly consecrated man and he taught complete consecration. It would appear that he had heard that some things were happening in these churches that were not right and he wanted to see for himself what was going on. We know by his later letters to various churches that he did not mince words with them and brought swift correction as given to him by the Holy Spirit.

 

Barnabas was willing to go with Paul but he wanted to bring along his cousin, Mark. Paul was not happy about this and did not want Mark to travel with them. They had had a falling out prior because Mark left them once before. Paul didn’t like Mark because of this so, Barnabas took Mark and they went in a different direction than Paul and Silas.

 

As we read about this, it would appear that they had quite an argument which resulted in a separation. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: And so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus. (Acts 15:37-39) This would seem to be not good, but what the enemy meant for evil, God meant for good!

 

You see, Mark going with Barnabas caused him to become associated with Peter. Mark never knew Jesus personally but the time he spent with Peter caused him to know all about Jesus and write one of the Four Gospels of Christ we find in the Canon of Scripture. This was a part of God’s Plan for Barnabas’ cousin John Mark. He had gifted him with the ability to write eloquently and with simplicity, which he did.

 

And so, because of the separation between Paul and Barnabas, we have in the Canon of Scripture, the Gospel of Christ according to Mark. God works in mysterious ways and they are always good.

 

God’s Divine Plan will……….turn the tide……….in this world!

 

What an awesome God we serve!         Doreen

 

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