Paul and Barnabas split and the ministry doubles in size.

Acts 15:39-41

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“Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.” Acts 15:39-41

Barnabas and Mark sailed to Cyprus, which is the island in the middle of the map below. Paul and Silas went through Syria and Cilicia [Cilicia/Tarsus is seen northwest of Antioch in Syria]. Paul was from Cilicia/Tarsus where he was known as Saul before he met our Lord Jesus Christ. “Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia…” Acts 21:39

Sometimes, sharp contentions will arise between two people who love God, live for Jesus Christ, and embrace the Holy Spirit. The contention will result in each other going in separate directions. This happened between Paul and Barnabas. Barnabas insisted on bringing his cousin, Mark, with them, but Paul insisted that they didn’t. For that reason, they parted ways with each other but didn’t part ways with their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

While Paul and Barnabas disagreed with each other, they persevered in the Holy Spirit, which caused the missionary work to double in size. Whereas the missionary journey once just included one group, such as Paul and Barnabas, now there would be two groups. Barnabas would take his cousin, Mark, and go to Cyprus and Paul would take Silas and go to Cilicia and Syria.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11