04_Sandnes_550-564_copia_550-564 10/12/15 10:24 Pagina 551 551 PROPHET-LIKE APOSTLE 551 paves the way for questions of identity and theology with far-reach- ing implications. It is with this recent development in mind that I now revisit the topic of Paul’s self-understanding from the viewpoint of the Old Testament prophets. For sure, this invites questions far beyond the scope of this contribution, such as Paul and the Law and all the ques- tions impinging on that. The aim is to mold the question of Paul as a prophet in the light of this ongoing debate, and thus to look into one important assumption. Can Paul’s prophet-like apostleship shed some light on the issue of the parting of the ways? I will concentrate on the Damascus event and its follow-ups in his epistles. This im- plies that many aspects relevant to Paul’s prophet-like apostolate will not be touched upon; this applies for instance to the charismatic Paul involved in revelatory or inspired speech (oracles), so-called “Redegattungen”, apocalyptic visions, charismatic exegesis and his performing of miracles 5. I. Damascus – A Merging of Two Paradigms Paul’s experience outside Damascus (thus according to Acts) is told in his autobiography in Gal 1,15-16a. Here is found scriptural language of election, echoing the calling in Jer 1,5 and Isa 49,1, or possibly a blending of such texts 6. Being called from the mother’s womb is in itself not distinctive of a prophetic understanding; how- ever, the way this piece of information serves to introduce the com- mission makes a difference, since it corresponds to the use of this 5 NICKLAS, “Paulus”, 102 mentions “prophetic signs” with reference to 1 Thess 1,5; 2 Cor 12,12; Rom 15,18-19. I am doubtful that these references justify the label “prophetischen Zeichenhandlungen.” He labels any miracles wrought by the apostle prophetic, but prophetic signs have certain character- istics which are not found in Paul’s letters. A common feature is the corre- spondence between sign and its oral interpretation. New Testament examples are the act and words of institution at the Lord’s Supper, and also Agabus in Acts 21,10-11 which clearly illustrates how message and sign interrelate. 6 R.E. CIAMPA, The Presence and Function of Scripture in Galatians 1 and 2 (WUNT II/102; Tübingen 1998) 111-112; NICKLAS, “Paulus”, 78-79; AERNIE, Paul, 136-137, 159; D.F. TOLMIE, Persuading the Galatians. A Text- Centred Rhetorical Analysis of a Pauline Letter (WUNT II/190; Tübingen 2005) 58-59.