Hi Marques
These are some of my thoughts.
I see the Scriptures regarding both Paul and Barnabas as an admonition to us for our edification, encouragement and insight. We know that God is Sovereign and worked out the circumstances between Barnabas and Paul, just as He does now with our intimate and personal associations, fellowships, attachments and circumstances.
The Scripture you present Marques is :
But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another... Acts 15:36-39 God had a great Purpose in separating Paul and Barnabas.
God’s Plan was to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles through rejection by the Jews. This is expounded by Paul to the Romans in Chapter 11. God shutting up all in unbelief…
Rom 11:32 For God has shut up all in unbelief, so that He might show mercy to all.What are the qualifications to be saved? You have to be lost. We’re all lost. It’s apollumi - destroyed, perished, lost, you see. If you fit that category, and we all do, guess what? Christ came to save you! L Ray Smith. Ref Does All mean All / Biblestudy Sept_ 2007 …Paul and Barnabas preached THE Gospel. Not some other Gospel but the one and only Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Gal 2:19 for I through law, did die, (Rom 7:6 and now we have ceased from the law, that being dead in which we were held, so that we may serve in newness of spirit, and not in oldness of letter) that to God I may live;( Rom 8:2 for the law of the Spirit of the life in Christ Jesus did set me free from the law of the sin and of the death;)It is the work of God who is supplying His Spirit, and leading and working mighty acts of works Of Faith.
God divided Paul and Barnabas.
God Planned, and God caused their separation and sent the cause to establish their separation to the Purpose of His Plan for His Work. The Work of God is always perfect.
Act 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called THEM. ( God called THEM, BOTH Saul AND Barnabas. Why? For THE WORK….Who’s Work? GODS WORK!)
The Work God does is deep.
Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!
Rom 11:34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?
Rom 11:35 Or who first gave to Him, and it will be repaid to him?
Rom 11:36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things; to Him be glory forever! Amen.
God caused a serious disagreement between Paul and Barnabas.
Act 15:39 So there arose a serious disagreement between them, which resulted in their parting from one another, Barnabas taking Mark and setting sail for Cyprus. -
1912 Weymouth New Testament. This disagreement that resulted in the parting of the ways between Barnabas and Saul, was the express declared Will of God as FORETOLD
Act 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called THEM. "………….. ACCORDING TO THE PURPOSE OF HIM WHO WORKETH ALL THINGS AFTER THE COUNSEL OF HIS OWN WILL" (Eph. 1:11).
Rom 8:28 And we know that GOD works all things together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. I think what myms observes that Barnabas, the name meaning son of comfort and what John ( of Kentucky
) observes of Paul, makes sense.
Paul being "type A personality",as said in Isaiah, comparing spiritual with spiritual.
Isa 49:2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
Isa 49:3 And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I WILL BE GLORIFIED. Some Brothers bring comfort. Others bring Fire!
Brimstone and fire...Barnabas and Paul....all in a Pond of the LOF
Arc