The first missionary journey: After Barnabas and Saul had been sent by the Holy Spirit, they went to Seleucia. Acts 13:4

The Book of Acts of the Apostles recounts how the evangelization of the pagan world began, an event that occurred after the founding of the Church of Antioch and the conversion of Saul to the Christian faith, events that prepared what would happen later by the will of the Holy Spirit. The Church of Antioch was, during the early days of the Church, one of the most important Christian communities, along with that of Jerusalem, and it was with this Church that the great transformation of the world began. It was in this city that the Lord's disciples received the name Christians, as the Book of Acts relates.
The Book of Acts recounts that Saul, who changed his name to Paul, lived for a long time in Antioch until he was called there for what would become his great mission: to spread the gospel to the Gentiles. A man who was a persecutor of Christians and who became a fervent believer in Jesus through the grace of God. The Book of Acts relates that the Church of Antioch was a vibrant community with doctors and prophets among whom were Barnabas, Simeon, and Saul. And according to the account in the Holy Scriptures, while the members of this community were worshipping and fasting, they were called by the Holy Spirit, who told them: "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them" Acts 13:2. After this, and after praying, the disciples laid their hands on Barnabas and Saul and sent them away to their mission. The Bible recounts what happens immediately after: "After Barnabas and Saul had been sent by the Holy Spirit, they went to Seleucia. From there they sailed to the island of Cyprus" Acts 13:4.
Although Paul's first missionary journey was relatively brief and short, as he visited Cyprus and some regions of Asia Minor such as Pamphylia and Lycaonia, now Turkey, the founding of new churches and the conversion of large numbers of pagans who did not accept circumcision forced the Church into a profound theological change, and to understand that the true recipients of the word of God were the pagans and not the children of Israel according to the flesh.

For more information, check out my profile, follow the link, and download my ebook.