I used to say insulting things about Jesus. I tried to hurt his followers, and I even used violence against them. But God had mercy on me because I did those things without knowing any better. I wasn’t a believer.
As for being strict about the law, I’m a Pharisee. As for zeal, I opposed and attacked the church. As far as keeping the law is concerned, I kept it perfectly.
“We’ve found that this Paul is a troublemaker. Everywhere he goes in the world, riots break out among the Jews. He’s the leader of a cult called the Nazarenes.
“I’m a Jew. I was born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but I grew up here in Jerusalem. I studied with Gamaliel, who trained me well in the law that was given to our people long ago. I wanted to honor God as much as any of you do.