How prominent was Paul in Judaism at the time of Christ?
Paul was high up in the echelons of Judaism at the time of Christ. He was a Pharisee of the Pharisees, likely a member of the Sanhedrin, and he voted with religious councils to have Jewish believers put to death or imprisoned.
Les teaches that Paul described his former manner of living in the Jews’ religion, calling himself a Pharisee of the Pharisees in Philippians. Les is positive Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin, and he notes others have confirmed his thinking that Paul must have been a husband and father, or he would not have been a member of the Sanhedrin. Les also points to Acts 26, where Paul says that when Jewish believers were brought before the religious councils, he along with others voted to have them put to death or thrown in prison. Therefore Paul was high up in the echelons of Judaism as it was known at the time of Christ and the temple worship. Les further explains that Paul persecuted the assembly of God beyond measure, bringing it under pressure, and clarifies that the word translated “Church” in the New Testament is the Greek word Ekklesia, which does not always mean the Body of Christ.