The New Man

Paul concludes his letter to the Galatians by again presenting a final argument from the positions of the party of the circumcision and those who walk in the Spirit. How does one treat someone who has been overcome in a fault? Is he to be excluded, or made to feel he is not measuring up to the standard of what is expected? Of course not, but this is what we do to such a one, if we point to the Law, as our measure of righteousness. That is a conceited method that offers an impossible challenge to one who is already envious of another’s apparently righteous lifestyle (Galatians 5:26). Nevertheless, holding up oneself as a model is a work of self-deception (Galatians 6:3).

 

Barnabas and Paul

Before I say good-bye to Barnabas, I’d like to magnify his clash with Paul a bit more, because their differences are more about personality than they are about wrong-doing, and should not be viewed as weaknesses in the faith. It is simply a matter where the spiritual gifts of both leaders clashed as their human hearts expressed those gifts.

Barnabas was more of a “people-person” than Paul, and Paul was more of a goal or task oriented person than Barnabas. Paul was interested in the best way to get the job done. He wrote of pressing on for the prize and the upward call of God in Philippians 3:13-14), and later summed up his own ministry as “finishing the race” that God had set before him, saying he fought a “good fight” (2Timothy 4:7).  On the other hand, Barnabas was more interested in peace and harmony. He was a very generous person, selling his land to support the poorer brethren at Jerusalem, being called the “son of encouragement” by the disciples (Acts 4:36-37). It was Barnabas who believed in Paul’s conversion and won over the disciples at Jerusalem who didn’t trust him (Acts 9:26-27), and when the new gentile churches in Antioch needed to be established in the faith, it was Barnabas that was sent by the church in Jerusalem to encourage them in Christ. In fact, his so-called “faults” arise out of his eagerness to encourage others.

 

Why Did Paul and Barnabas Separate?

The separation of Paul and Barnabas had always troubled me whenever I read it in Acts 15:39. This seemed to have been a serious matter, and it probably was for both Barnabas and Paul. I do think reconciliation eventually occurred, because Paul asks Timothy to bring Mark with him to assist Paul when it seemed Paul was near the end of his life (2Timothy 4:11). We are not told when the reconciliation occurred, but there is little doubt that it did happen.

So, what did take place way back in Acts 15 (cir. 49-50 CE) that drove a wedge into Paul’s and Barnabas’ relationship? I think we have to return to Acts 13 to figure this out, because the reason for the separation was Paul’s unwillingness to take Mark with Barnabas and himself to visit and encourage the churches in Galatia, where they went on their first missionary journey (Acts 15:38).

 

The Call of Christ

In Luke 5:1-11 we read that the crowd pressed upon Jesus to hear him speak. I get a picture of Jesus being thronged by the people who wanted to touch him or to be near him, as he was pressed toward the lake. This behavior does not necessarily indicate one’s love for Jesus. On the contrary, people have been hurt as a crowd thronged celebrities in our own time. I have read of celebrities themselves being in jeopardy as their fans tore clothing from them to gain the smallest memento of their hero.

 

The Inner Authority

Consider the dilemma of authority from the point of view of this world’s leaders. For example, Herod means “hero like.” History shows Herod desired to be known as a great benefactor of the people and other leaders. Most civil authorities today would desire the same thing. Think about the campaign promises made by politicians today. Perhaps some wouldn’t want to put forth the effort, but all would like to leave behind a legacy that would show they were wonderful at what they did (cp. Genesis 6:4). Imagine Herod finding out he wouldn’t have any influence in God’s Kingdom, or that his reign would last only as long as it suited God. Why would he submit to the Gospel or influence his world for Christ? Herod was suspicious of the followers of Jesus, and so are the authorities of this world. They don’t understand our behavior or our words. They would prefer that we would behave like everyone else in the world. How can the governments of this world deal with people who claim allegiance to an unseen authority, an unknown authority, or an authority not of this world? They cannot, and therein lay their fear and suspicion of us.

 

The Violence of Inner and Outer Authorities

In Luke 16:16 Jesus says that men press into the Kingdom of God, implying violence on our part. Matthew 11:12 also implies we can take the Kingdom through violence. Is this understanding so? How can all these Scriptures be found to agree (cp. John 6:44; 12:32; 15:16)? Agree they must, if the Bible is the word of God.

 

Over Whom Does Jesus Have Authority?

John tells us that, immediately after the feeding of the 5000, Jesus put the apostles into the boat and sent them over to Capernaum, while he made his exit into the mountain to pray. Why did he do this? John shows us the people were about to try to force Jesus to be their King (John 6:15).

 

The Power in Authority

The feeding of the 5000 is a focal point of all four Gospel accounts. John places this event at or near the 2nd Passover in Jesus’ ministry (John 6:1-4), two years before his death. It is the only one of the four Passovers in his 3 ½ year ministry that was not spent in Jerusalem. He chose to celebrate this Passover in Galilee. Why? Perhaps the reason is that news of John’s beheading would set events in motion before Jesus wanted them to occur (cp. John 6:15). Jesus is always in control. He controlled all the events leading to his capture and crucifixion. No one laid hands on him, until he was ready. It is also true the authorities at Jerusalem were already seeking Jesus’ life for healing on the Sabbath day during the Pentecost season (John 5:16-18; John 7:1, 25). John’s death may have given these same authorities the impetus they needed to destroy Jesus as well. You know, ‘When you’re on a roll…’

 

The Authority of a Good Name

Jesus dispatched his disciples to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. He sent them out two by two and gave them his authority (Luke 9:1-5), because he would not be physically with them. They would act in his name, confronting demons, healing diseases and speaking his word, i.e. the Gospel.