How did Paul vote against Christians in the Sanhedrin?
Paul cast his vote against them when they were put to death, consenting to their execution. As believers confessed Christ before the Sanhedrin, he voted to put them to death. He also punished them often in synagogues, compelling them to blaspheme. He had no mercy, and his persecution was cruel.
Les explains that Paul is speaking in the first person before Agrippa in Acts 26. Paul says he thought he ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth, and he did these things in Jerusalem. He shut up many of the saints in prison, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death, he gave his vote or voice against them. Les teaches that as these believing Jews came before the Sanhedrin and confessed Christ as the Messiah, the Sanhedrin would vote, and Paul voted to put them to death. He had no mercy, and his persecution was cruel. Paul also says he punished them often in every synagogue and caused them to blaspheme. Les notes the Jews liked to use the lash, 39 stripes, and Paul was in favor of it, whipping them to make them deny their confession.
Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.