Yes, Paul persecuted early Christians by voting for their death, punishing them with lashes, and forcing them to blaspheme.
Paul, as Saul of Tarsus, led a campaign to stamp out Jewish believers in Jesus. He consented to Stephen's death, voted for the death of others, shut many saints in prison, and compelled believers to blaspheme.
Acts 26:10-11 — Paul's own testimony directly enumerates his persecution: imprisoning saints, voting for their death, and compelling them to blaspheme.
In Acts 26:10-11, Paul recounts his former actions: "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. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities."
Les Feldick emphasizes that Paul, as a religious fanatic, was blinded by zeal for Judaism and sought to eradicate any Jew who confessed Jesus as Messiah. He describes Paul as the leader of a terrible persecution, dragging men and women to prison and consenting to their deaths. Les highlights that Paul later suffered for Christ's name, illustrating 'what goes around comes around.'
Paul admitted he 'gave his voice against them' when they were put to death, meaning he voted in favor of their execution. Les describes Paul as the chief advocate of putting believers to death, eager to get them off the scene.
Paul punished believers often in every synagogue, compelling them to blaspheme. Les notes that Paul, as a religious fanatic, cared little for his victims' suffering as long as his religion prevailed.
Paul persecuted believers 'even unto strange cities,' such as Damascus, where he intended to drag them bound to Jerusalem for trial by the Sanhedrin. Les explains Paul went to synagogues to find Jewish believers and bring them back forcibly.
Les describes Paul as a religious fanatic who was 'exceedingly mad' against believers, breathing out threatenings and slaughter. He considered them imposters and blasphemers and believed he was serving God by eliminating them.
Paul's Suffering for Christ
Les explains that Paul, who caused utmost suffering, was told he would suffer great things for Christ's name.
Consenting to Stephen's Death
Les describes Paul as consenting to Stephen's death and leading the persecution against the Jerusalem assembly.
Compelling Blasphemy
Les notes Paul punished believers and compelled them to blaspheme, acting as a religious fanatic.
Leader of Persecution
Les emphasizes Paul was the leader of the terrible persecution to stamp out Jewish believers.
Dragging Believers to Prison
Les describes Paul dragging men and women from synagogues to prison in Jerusalem.
Religious Zeal
Les portrays Paul as a religious fanatic trying to stamp out opposition to Judaism.
Shutting Saints in Prison
Les explains Paul received authority from chief priests to shut saints in prison and put them to death.
Voting for Death
Les details Paul's role in putting believers to death, including his vote against them.
Acts 26:10: 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.
Paul's confession of his role in imprisonment and death of saints.
Acts 26:11: And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
Paul describes punishing believers and forcing them to blaspheme.
Paul did not personally execute, but he voted for their death and consented to Stephen's execution. He was complicit in the deaths of believers.
Paul forced believers to deny Christ or speak against Him, likely under torture or threat of death, as part of his persecution.
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