Before his conversion to Christianity, Paul was a devout Jew known as
Saul of Tarsus. Here's a summary of his life before his encounter with Jesus:
* Pharisee: He was a Pharisee, a Jewish sect known for its strict adherence to religious law and tradition.
* Well-Educated: He was well-versed in Jewish law and scripture, having been educated by the renowned Pharisee Gamaliel.
* Roman Citizen: He was a Roman citizen by birth, which gave him certain legal rights and protections within the Roman Empire.
* Persecutor of Christians: He was a zealous persecutor of early Christians, actively seeking to suppress the movement. He believed that Christianity was a dangerous heresy that threatened Jewish law and tradition. The Book of Acts describes his involvement in the stoning of Stephen, one of the first Christian martyrs, and his efforts to imprison and persecute other Christians.