Was Apostle Paul a Prophet?
1) Direct Answer
Yes. Paul was an apostle-prophet—a sent messenger who received the Word by direct revelation and spoke it with prophetic authority.
2) Scriptural Explanation
- Acts 13:1 shows Saul (Paul) listed among “prophets and teachers” at Antioch. That places him in a prophetic company from the start of his ministry.
- Galatians 1:11-12 and Ephesians 3:3-5 declare that his Gospel and the mystery were given “by revelation of Jesus Christ,” revealed to “His holy apostles and prophets.” Paul stood in that revelation realm.
- 2 Corinthians 12:1-7 records “visions and revelations of the Lord,” even being caught up to the third heaven—clear prophetic experience.
- Acts 16:9; 18:9-10; 23:11; 27:23-25 show repeated visions, angelic visitation, and accurate foretelling (the shipwreck deliverance) that came to pass—hallmarks of a prophet.
- 1 Corinthians 14:37, Paul says, “the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord,” marking his words with divine, prophetic authority.
- Ephesians 2:20 shows the church built upon the foundation of “apostles and prophets.” Paul laid that foundation in doctrine, proving his foundational, prophetic role.
- 2 Peter 3:15-16 counts Paul’s writings with “the other scriptures,” confirming the inspired, prophetic nature of his message.
3) Simple Clarifying Logic
A prophet is one to whom God reveals His Word and who speaks it by inspiration; an apostle is a sent one who lays foundation. Paul did both: he planted churches (apostolic) and received/declared the mystery by direct revelation with visions and fulfilled predictions (prophetic). Saying he was only an apostle ignores Acts 13:1 and his own testimony of revelation. If he wasn’t operating prophetically, why the visions, the angelic messages, the foretelling, and the claim that his writings are the Lord’s commandments?
4) Reinforcing Statement
You see, God set Paul as the pattern messenger to the Gentiles—an apostle with a prophet’s revelation—so the church could be founded solidly on the revealed Word.
Ask a Follow-up Question
What did the Laodicean Church Age (our age) Angel (- messenger) Say about this?
Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
Position of a believer in Christ
55-0227A §31
Paul said in Ephesians ... I mean, in Galatians 1:8, he said this Gospel was so sure, that even if an Angel from heaven come and taught any other Gospel, let him be accursed. Notice Paul now: ... an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God... Now, he's presenting it to them which are at Ephesus, to the faithful in Christ Jesus. Now, watch. He designated this letter, that first: He was an apostle by the will of God. God called him to be an apostle, and he sent it to those that are in Ephesus in Christ Jesus. Now,...
Exploits of faith
53-1213E §71
...gues." I said, "Then Jesus couldn't come, because He died speaking in tongues." It's true. And He taught speaking in tongues. The Bible teaches speaking in tongues. All the apostles, all the saints and everything believed it, taught and received it. Well, now Paul said, "If you all speak with tongues and there be no interpretation for edification of the church." Some unlearned person say, "Now aren't you all mad?" But if one is a prophet and would reveal the things that's in the person's heart, then they will fall...
A prophet like unto Moses
59-1120 §40
[Blank space on tape.] ... aren't called by the church, or so forth, they are chosen by God. Apostles; second, prophets; third, (I may not have these lined just right,) third I think is teachers and evangelists and pastors. Five spiritual offices in the church to set the church in order. Apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, pastors. Those are called offices by God. Then in the local congregation, there's nine spiritual gifts that work among the people. Now, in these offices and places, in the offices you hear...
Show us the Father and it will satisfy us
59-0419E §54
When old Elijah, called on a case where there was the prophet and there laid a dead baby, he walked up and down the floor, what was it? A man walking. But all at once he felt the anointing come on him and he stretched hisself across the baby, and he sneezed seven times and come to life. What was that? God in His people. There was Paul, who taken from his body aprons and sent them to the sick and afflicted and they were healed. What was that? God in His people. There was Peter the apostle, not enough education to wr...
The Message of Grace
61-0827 §105
Then there's a prophet. Now, that ... now you come into an office. Them's gifts, them are---speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues, and knowledge, and wisdom, and discernments, and so forth. Them are all gifts. But then there's five offices. First is apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, and pastors. That's ordained offices of God. Men hold them, see. They are not ... you can't wish for them, you can't pray for them. They're sovereignly given, you're born. A prophet is not a prophet ... somebody la...