Acts 15:37-39 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.… I. THE APOSTLES WERE NOT GOING FORTH AS THE DELEGATES OF A SUPREME CENTRAL LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY. 1. There was union between the Churches, but that was purely spiritual. 2. The visit was perfectly natural. 3. Being a second visit, it was calculated to show that they were not ashamed of their principles, nor afraid of their opponents. II. STABILITY OF CHARACTER WAS NECESSARY TO USEFULNESS IN SUCH A MISSION. 1. Friendship is no reason in itself why a man should be promoted to office. 2. Fickle men are not to be trusted in the service of truth when there is difficulty in the way. III. DIFFERENCES OF OPINION SHOULD NOT LEAD TO THE ABANDONMENT OF PRINCIPLE. 1. Some wreak their vengeance on the cause of truth. 2. When two men cannot agree to toil in the same corner of the vineyard, let them honestly divide, and betake them to other departments. 3. The holiest men may have ruffled tempers sometimes. 4. The apostle afterwards received Mark into fellowship. "To err is human — to forgive, Divine." (J. Parker, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.WEB: Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also. |
    |