Who was the church that Paul persecuted before his conversion?
The church Paul persecuted was the assembly of God—the Jewish believers in Christ from His earthly ministry, gathered in Jerusalem, the congregation over which Peter was preaching in the book of Acts. Paul admits he persecuted this church beyond measure and wasted it before his conversion.
Les explains that Paul is speaking in Galatians 1 about his former manner of life in the Jews' religion. When Paul says he persecuted the Church, Les says this means the assembly of God. In context, that refers to the Jewish believers of Christ's earthly ministry after He was gone, there at Jerusalem, over whom Peter was preaching in Acts. Les notes Paul was steeped in Judaism, which by then had become a religion of man-made laws, rules, and traditions, and he persecuted that assembly beyond measure and wasted it.
For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
Who were the Church that Paul persecuted according to this teaching?
The Church Paul persecuted was the assembly of God, specifically the Jewish believers of Christ's earthly ministry after His ascension, located at Jerusalem. These were the believers over whom Peter was preaching in the book of Acts, as mentioned in Galatians.
What does Paul mean when he says he persecuted the church 'beyond measure'?
Paul means his opposition to the assembly of God was extreme and despicable, not mild. As a high-ranking Pharisee and council member, he actively persecuted Jewish believers, voting to have them put to death or imprisoned. The term "church" there is the Greek ekklesia, an assembly, not always the Body of Christ.
More Questions
What was Paul's life like before his conversion in the Jews' religion?
In times past Paul lived in the Jews' religion as a Pharisee and as a member of the Sanhedrin, and beyond measure he persecuted the church of God and wasted it.