The Holy Spirit’s Continuing Ministry Some time later, Paul and Barnabas planned to go on another trip to visit believers in the various places. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark along, but Paul was reluctant to do so for John Mark had left them halfway on a previous trip, as we can read in Acts 15:36-41Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 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. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Paul and Barnabas could not come to an agreement as what to do with Mark, so they separated. This disagreement may have happened in part because of their particular personalities and giftings. Paul was very focused on ministry and he could not afford to have someone on his team on whom he could not rely . Barnabas was an encourager, as we know from the fact that he sought Paul out when he was a very new believer, as we can read in Acts 9:23-27 And Acts 11:25 Barnabas’ special gift was that of encouraging others. Very likely that is why he wanted to give Mark another chance, but Paul did not want to risk it. However, Barnabas did the right thing by taking Mark with him for eventually he proved very helpful to Paul, as we can read in II Timothy 4:11 And Mark is the author of the Gospel of Mark. Thankfully, God continued to bless the ministries of these two men and they both chose their partners to minister with. Paul took with him Silas, and later on a young disciple named Timothy joined them. They tried to enter certain regions but the Holy Spirit stopped them, as we can read in Acts 16:6-7 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us. “ 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. This time, God showed them the place they were to go to, Macedonia. Having been given direction, Paul set off for his destination, Philippi, which was the leading city of Macedonia. While there, he met a group of women who had gathered for prayer. One of them was a businesswoman named Lydia, as we can read in Acts 16:13-15 On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshipper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptised, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. She accepted the gospel message and invited Paul to stay in her home. |