Was Paul guilty of murder for persecuting Christians before his conversion?
Yes, Paul was guilty of murder in his persecution of Jewish believers before his conversion, because he demanded their death and, in his own mind, murderously put them to death. Though he was religious and fanatical, the law was not touching him at that time.
Les explains that Saul was so religious and fanatical that the law was not even touching him; it rolled off like water off a duck. Yet he was guilty of what can be called murder, because he demanded the death of Jewish believers and, in his own mind, murderously put them to death. Later, when old Adam and Saul woke up, the law condemned him, and he realized it was killing him, bringing conviction and eternal death as a lawbreaker.