Les Feldick Bible Study

What did Paul do to the believers in Jerusalem before his conversion?

Before his conversion, Paul persecuted the believers in Jerusalem who had become followers of Jesus of Nazareth. He actively tried to stamp them out, thinking he was doing God a favor, and he did these things in Jerusalem as a religious fanatic.

Les explains that Acts 26 rehearses Paul's past life when he was still active in Judaism as a Pharisee of the Pharisee. Paul persecuted the believers in Jerusalem who had become followers of Jesus of Nazareth, trying to stamp them out, and he thought he was doing God a favor. Les points out that Paul himself admits he was a religious fanatic and that this is what he did in Jerusalem, acting contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

More Questions

How many times is Paul's conversion detailed in Acts?

Paul's conversion is recorded in full detail three times in Acts: chapter 9, chapter 22, and chapter 26.

Which accounts of Paul's conversion are told in the first person by Paul himself?

Acts 9 is Luke the writer's record of Saul's conversion, while Acts 22 and 26 are Paul's own first-person rehearsals of the same event.