Acts 9:26-30; 15:35-41, New Testament Teamwork

Let’s think today about “teamwork” in the NT.  “Teamwork” is probably not the term any theologian would select to describe the relationship of God the Father and God the Son.  But it actually illustrates “teamwork” at it’s best, with the Son submitting Himself to the will of His Father at all times.  1 Cor. 11:3 on the various “headship” relationships allows us to study the Trinity for truth about “teamwork.”

Let me just briefly note a few other of these relationships.  There was Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (John 19:38-42).  Joseph had the tomb and brought the linens; Nicodemus brought the spices.  These two members of the Sanhedrin who believed Jesus to be the Christ cooperated as a team.

Peter and John, in Acts 3-4, is a great study.  Both were together; both arrested; both were threatened by the leaders.  But Peter is the talker and John is not recorded to have said anything.  Perhaps he was the “prayer.”  For sure, he encouraged Peter.

Paul and Silas were partners (Acts 16-18).  We don’t get much of a picture of Silas’s role.  Again, in Philippi, both were together, both arrested, both singing in jail, both miraculously released, and both stood up to the city fathers.  But Paul was the talker when they were together. 

The team we get the best look at is Paul and Barnabas.  There is no question that Barnabas is the primary driving force in the creation of this team (humanly speaking, not to discount the Head of the Church who places people where He desires them to be, or the Holy Spirit whose gifts and fruit make fruitful relationships possible).  We meet Barnabas first in Acts 4:36-37 as the generous brother re-named by the Apostles because of his gift of encouragement.  Next we see him in 9:26-30 taking Saul before the Jerusalem Church.  The last time we see him, at the time of the splitting up of the team, he takes his nephew John Mark, the one who had left the team earlier, and heads for Cyprus for ministry (15:39).  His continued encouragement of Mark resulted in the young man’s spiritual growth so that Paul later found him desirable in ministry (2 Tim. 4:11).

Consider how this team changed over the course of time.  First, Barnabas was the leading figure; but on the first missionary journey Paul became prominent (from “Barnabas and Saul" (13:7,) to “Paul and his party" (13:13.)  Paul had become the lead speaker (14:12).  Not many “teams” can stand this kind of transition; but it worked for these two.  Undoubtedly Barnabas’ gift was a lot of the reason.  What you see, in all the relationships we have mentioned, one member of the two is more prominent, either as the One making the decisions (God the Father) or the one who is more out in front than the other.  The humility of John (with Peter) and Barnabas (with Paul) is essential in teamwork.  It is interesting that both these men went on to take the lead in ministry in other settings.

To my way of thinking, Barnabas’ “encouragement” was at the heart of the splitting up of the team.  He refused to just drop Mark.  Even as he had been willing to come alongside Saul at the beginning, so he stood with Mark.  I also have no doubt that Paul’s gift and calling was at the core of the division.  His desire to get the gospel to the nations made him reluctant to have team members whose loyalty or stick-to-itiveness might be iffy.  His task was too critical.  In the end, we never hear again from Barnabas (not a bad thing, just a fact) but, as we noted, we do hear of Mark.  And it is Paul, from prison, who has a positive word to say concerning the one he believed should not be part of the team on the second journey. 

Concerning the team, after the sharp contention (15:39) here is something we can say: neither Paul nor Barnabas quit the ministry over the matter.  That is something we often cannot say when there are divisions in ministry.  It means that pride was not at the basis of the argument.  Teamwork in ministry is essential and the best way to work.  Contrary to what you might think: the keys to this teamwork are not compromise and taking turns.  The keys are always Spirit-led headship and Spirit-led submission.