Was Paul a religious fanatic before his conversion?
Yes. Before his conversion, Paul was a Pharisee of Pharisees who persecuted believers in Jerusalem, trying to stamp them out, believing he was doing God a favor. In Acts 26 he admits he thought he ought to do many things contrary to Jesus of Nazareth, as a religious fanatic.
Les teaches from Acts 26 that Paul rehearses his past life when he was active in Judaism. He was a Pharisee of the Pharisees, persecuting the believers in Jerusalem who had become followers of Jesus of Nazareth. Paul tried to stamp them out and thought he was doing God a favor. In Acts 26:9, Paul says he verily thought he ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth, as a religious fanatic, which he also did in Jerusalem. Les also notes that some mistakenly think Paul was a bachelor who had a thing against women and marriage, but the point is he was alone when he began his apostolic ministry.
I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
More Questions
When did Paul persecute believers and act contrary to the name of Jesus?
Paul's persecution of believers at Jerusalem and his opposition to the name of Jesus of Nazareth happened before his salvation.