Prophetic identity of the apostle Paul based on his vocation and conversion

Abstract

The texts on Paul’s conversion in a Judeo-Christian environment highlight the importance of this event for God and his authority in this type of situation. The transition in the life of the apostle, however, is hardly mentioned, that is, it is not an event that extends over time, but occurs in the midst of a dialogue, which makes the miraculous aspect almost natural, since the act following the divine intervention is to begin preaching Jesus in the synagogues, proclaiming that he is the Son of God. The aim of this article is, therefore, to identify in Paul’s experience a possible prophetic vocation, based on his conversion according to the accounts of the Acts of the Apostles, the testimony presented in the Letter to the Galatians and particularly in the prophetic accounts of the Old Testament, and some testimonies of the New Testament. In the first place, some Old Testament texts that speak to us about the call and vocation of some characters, particularly the prophets, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Samuel and Amos, have been addressed. Secondly, we have approached some New Testament stories that tell of the call of Jesus, who transforms lives and makes of those he calls, his disciples, servants or witnesses. Finally, we approach the call and conversion of Paul, which is recounted three times in the Acts of the Apostles, with some differences, but always referring to the same event, and in the letter to the Galatians in which he himself tells his testimony. Finally, to identify in the apostle a prophetic vocation, which enables him to be a hearer of the Word and a proclaimer of it.