What was Saul of Tarsus's religious background before his conversion?
Before his conversion, Saul of Tarsus was thoroughly religious: an absolute believer in the Old Testament, Judaism, and the Mosaic Law. He was a Pharisee of the Pharisees, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Jew through and through. He passionately hated Jesus of Nazareth, viewing Him as an imposter destroying Judaism.
Les teaches that Saul was totally religious, an absolute believer of the Old Testament. He believed in Judaism and the Mosaic Law, was a Pharisee of the Pharisees, of the tribe of Benjamin, and a Jew through and through. Yet he absolutely hated Jesus of Nazareth with a passion, because he felt Jesus was an imposter trying to destroy that which was his whole life. Saul persecuted in the name of religion, seeking to stamp it out and do God a favor.