Jerusalem, he thought proper to depart, and preach the gospel to the Gentiles. Accordingly, being conducted by his brethren to Cesarea Philippi, he set sail for Tarsus, his native city; from whence he was soon after brought by Barnabas to Antioch, to assist in propagating Christianity in that city. In this employment he spent one whole year, and had the satisfaction of seeing the gospel flourish in a very remarkable manner.
It was in this city that the disciples first acquired the name of Christians, before which they were styled Nazarenes; but this appellation soon prevailed all over the world; and the latter was in a few ages almost entirely forgotten.
About this time a terrible famine, foretold by Agabus, happened in several parts of the Roman empire, particularly Judea, which induced the Christians at Antioch to compassionate the miseries of their brethren at Jerusalem. They accordingly raised considerable contributions for their relief, which they sent to the capital of Judea by the hands of Barnabas and Saul, who immediately after executing their commission, returned to Antioch. But while they were performing the public exercises of religion, it was revealed to them by the Holy Ghost, that they should “set apart Barnabas and Saul” to preach the gospel in other places; which was accordingly done, and they were immediately deputed for that service by prayer, fasting, and imposition of hands.
The first place they visited was Saleucia, where they did not continue long, but sailed for Cyprus; and at Salamis, a great city in that island, they preached in the synagogue of the Jews. From hence they removed to Paphos, the residence of Sergius Paulus, the pro-consul of the island, a man of great wisdom and prudence, but miserably seduced by the wicked artifices of Bar Jesus, a Jewish impostor, who styled himself Elymas, or the magician, vehemently opposed the apostles, and kept the pro-consul from embracing the faith.
The pro-consul, however, called for the apostles, who, after severely checking Elymas for his malicious opposition to the truth, told him the divine vengeance was now ready to seize upon him, and immediately he was deprived of his sight. This miracle couvinced the pro-consul of the truth of the doctrines taught by the apostles, and made him a convert to the faith.
St. Paul, after this remarkable success in Cyprus, repaired to Phrygia in Pamphylia, and taking another with him, in the room of Mark, who was gone to Jerusalem, travelled to Antioch.
Soon after their arrival, they entered the synagogue of the Jews, on the Sabbath-day, and after the reading of the law,
