To man, these things might seem to make Saul the most fit person to convince his countrymen, but not so with God, Who had chosen Saul especially to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. In answer to his pleading, therefore, Jesus now gave this positive command, "Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles." This was enough, and from henceforth Saul became a distinguished preacher to the Gentiles. "And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry," (that is, the work which they came to do,) "and took with them John, whose surname was Mark," who had before this accompanied Peter to Rome. Barnabas and Saul therefore went back to Antioch, but they did not long remain there. "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers," who joined with Barnabas and Saul in preaching the Gospel. "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." In what way the Holy Ghost spake, we are not told; but in some way or other the Lord made known His Will to His faithful servants, whilst they were engaged in the performance of their religious duties. The work unto which Barnabas and Saul were now called, was that of preaching the Gospel, not to Jews only, or even to Proselytes of the Gate, but also to the idolatrous Gentiles, so as to bring them to leave their false religion and become Christians. Although the appointment of Barnabas and Saul to this work was direct from God, yet outward forms were to be observed in dedicating them to it, and solemn prayers offered up for their success. In this matter, no doubt the prophets and teachers acted by the direction of the same Spirit which had bade them separate, or set apart the two Apostles for this particular work. "And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." Barnabas and Saul now set out on their first journey, about A.D. 45. "So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia," a port at the mouth of the river Orontes, a little to the west of Antioch; "and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis," a city in the eastern part of the island, "they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews"; for though they had a positive commission to preach to the Gentiles, they were not to neglect the Jews, but preach the Gospel first to them, if they would but listen to it. "And they had also John (or Mark) to their minister,"--to help in their ministry or work. Chapter XI.--SAUL'S NAME CHANGED TO PAUL.