What was Paul's religious background before he became a Christian?
Before conversion, Saul of Tarsus was a Jew’s Jew, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, and a Pharisee of the Pharisees. He was educated at the feet of the greatest rabbi of that time, saturated with Judaism, more religious than many peers, and devoted to Jewish rules, regulations, and law-keeping.
Les explains that Saul of Tarsus had been a Jew’s Jew, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, and a Pharisee of the Pharisees, educated at the feet of the greatest rabbi of that time. He was saturated with Judaism and more religious than many of his peers. Les contrasts Judaism’s rules, regulations, and law-keeping—and Phariseeism on Paul’s part—with stepping into the grace of God, which is received freely. Les also notes that it may have taken time to get Judaism out of his system, and that such cleansing requires the power of God.