<P> In Acts 13: 9, Saul is called "Paul" for the first time on the island of Cyprus--much later than the time of his conversion . The author (Luke) indicates that the names were interchangeable: "Saul, who also is called Paul ." He thereafter refers to him as Paul, apparently Paul's preference since he is called Paul in all other Bible books where he is mentioned, including those that he authored . Adopting his Roman name was typical of Paul's missionary style . His method was to put people at their ease and to approach them with his message in a language and style to which they could relate, as in 1 Cor 9: 19--23 . </P> <P> The two main sources of information by which we have access to the earliest segments of Paul's career are the Bible's Book of Acts and the autobiographical elements of Paul's letters to the early church communities . Paul was likely born between the years of 5 BC and 5 AD . The Book of Acts indicates that Paul was a Roman citizen by birth, more affirmatively describing his father as such, but Helmut Koester takes issue with the evidence presented by the text . </P> <P> He was from a devout Jewish family in the city of Tarsus--one of the largest trade centers on the Mediterranean coast . It had been in existence several hundred years prior to his birth . It was renowned for its university . During the time of Alexander the Great, who died in 323 BC, Tarsus was the most influential city in Asia Minor . </P> <P> Paul referred to himself as being "of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee". </P>

Where did paul in the bible come from