Did Paul have knowledge of Moses and the Law before conversion?

Paul wrote that he was very versed in the law, and was a student of Galadriel (Ok, now I'd better check spelling....)

heh, not Galadriel, lol...Gamaliel. lol!

Then Paul said: 3“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. ..."

Acts 22:3 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I am just as zealous for God as any of you here today.

(other places Paul talks of how he was so much a Pharisee)

heh, this is an interesting verse I hadn't seen for a while now:

Acts 23:6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial."

It would be disrespectful not to honor the Holy Spirit and Apostle's every notation on himself,

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

Philippians 3:4-6

Carl Emerson said:

Hi there,

One among us is adamant that Paul was not knowledgeable concerning Moses and the Law before conversion.

I would appreciate insight on this issue.

I have always had the impression that he was quite well informed in such matters.

Thanks for your help.

Click to expand...

Well Rock and Anchor beat me to the best verse, but this is another worth mentioning.

Act's 26

24At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!”


Believing Paul didn't know about Moses etc. would be like a person going away to college without understanding some basic thing like the alphabet or basic arithmetic. Indeed in the Book of Galatians Paul calls the Law a "pedagogue" which was something like a nursery school teacher, Kindergarten teacher (A slave that escorted a kid to school and instructed them in their very early years.)

Carl Emerson said:

Hi there,

One among us is adamant that Paul was not knowledgeable concerning Moses and the Law before conversion.

I would appreciate insight on this issue.

I have always had the impression that he was quite well informed in such matters.

Thanks for your help.

Click to expand...

Well, "one among us" doesn't know what s/he's talking about. Paul was highly educated and devout concerning Judaism and the Law. “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated with strictness under Gamaliel according to the law of our ancestors, and was zealous for God just as all of you are today." Acts 22:3

Carl Emerson said:

Hi there,

One among us is adamant that Paul was not knowledgeable concerning Moses and the Law before conversion.

I would appreciate insight on this issue.

I have always had the impression that he was quite well informed in such matters.

Thanks for your help.

Click to expand...

Philippians 3
Easy-to-Read Version
Christ Is More Important Than Anything
3 And now, my brothers and sisters, be filled with joy in the Lord. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again. I want to be sure that you are prepared.

2 Be careful of the dogs—those men whose work does only harm. They want to cut on everyone who isn’t circumcised.[a] 3 But we are the ones who have the true circumcision—we who worship God through his Spirit. We don’t trust in ourselves or anything we can do. We take pride only in Christ Jesus. 4 Even if I am able to trust in myself, still I don’t do it. If anyone else thinks they have a reason to trust in themselves, they should know that I have a greater reason for doing so. 5 I was circumcised on the eighth day after my birth. I am from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. I am a true Jew, and so were my parents. The law was very important to me. That is why I became a Pharisee. 6 I was so eager to defend my religion[c] that I persecuted the church. And no one could find fault with the way I obeyed the Law of Moses.

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Romans 4:16
So people get what God promised by having faith. This happens so that the promise can be a free gift. And if the promise is a free gift, then all of Abraham’s people will get that promise. The promise is not just for those who live under the Law of Moses. It is for all who live with faith as Abraham did. He is the father of us all.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Romans 5:13
Sin was in the world before the Law of Moses. But God does not consider people guilty of sin if there is no law.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Romans 7:1
An Example From Marriage
Brothers and sisters, you all understand the Law of Moses. So surely you know that the law rules over people only while they are alive.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Romans 9:4
They are the people of Israel, God’s chosen children. They have the glory of God and the agreements he made between himself and his people. God gave them the Law of Moses, the Temple worship, and his promises.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
1 Corinthians 9:9
Yes, it is written in the Law of Moses: “When a work animal is being used to separate grain, don’t keep it from eating the grain.” When God said this, was he thinking only about work animals? No.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
1 Corinthians 14:34
The women should keep quiet in these church meetings. They are not allowed to speak out but should be under authority, as the Law of Moses says.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
2 Corinthians 3:15
Yes, even today, when they read the Law of Moses, there is a covering over their minds.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Galatians 3:19
So what was the law for? The law was given to show the wrong things people do. The law would continue until the special Descendant of Abraham came. This is the Descendant mentioned in the promise, which came directly from God. But the law was given through angels, and the angels used Moses as a mediator to give the law to the people.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Galatians 3:21
The Purpose of the Law of Moses
Does this mean that the law works against God’s promises? Of course not. The law was never God’s way of giving new life to people. If it were, then we could be made right with God by following the law.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Philippians 3:6
I was so eager to defend my religion that I persecuted the church. And no one could find fault with the way I obeyed the Law of Moses.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Titus 3:9
Stay away from those who have foolish arguments, who talk about useless family histories, or who make trouble and fight about what the Law of Moses teaches. These things are useless and will not help anyone.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Hebrews 7:19
The Law of Moses could not make anything perfect. But now a better hope has been given to us. And with that hope we can come near to God.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Hebrews 9:19
First, Moses told the people every command in the law. Then he took the blood of young bulls and mixed it with water. He used red wool and a branch of hyssop to sprinkle the blood and water on the book of the law and on all the people.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Hebrews 10:28
Whoever refused to obey the Law of Moses was found guilty from the testimony given by two or three witnesses. Such people were not forgiven. They were killed.

Carl Emerson said:

Hi there,

One among us is adamant that Paul was not knowledgeable concerning Moses and the Law before conversion.

I would appreciate insight on this issue.

I have always had the impression that he was quite well informed in such matters.

Thanks for your help.

Click to expand...

First off, No one is saying Paul didn't know something about Moses before his conversion. Pilot knew something about Moses. Since you are accusing someone on this forum of saying, teaching, implying, that Paul didn't know anything about Moses before his conversion, can you back up your accusation with an example? This person's Words? Anything? Or are you just making the accusation up?

The question is about whether or not Paul was an Expert on Moses and Prophets before his conversion, or if he was an expert in the Jews religion which Jesus said;

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves."

There was someone who posted these words regarding Paul.

24 At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!”


This is quoting Paul after his conversion. If Paul had confronted such a converted man such as himself, before his conversion, he would have held the coats of the men who stoned him to death, just as he held the coats of those who murdered Stephen, who was an expert on the Law and Prophets. And just as they stoned Paul after his conversion after God revealed His truth to Paul, about Moses and the Law.

The question is this "Was Paul an expert in the Law and Prophets like Zacharias was, before his conversion? Or was he an expert in the religion JESUS said taught for doctrines the Commandments of men? Religious leaders who were given the Law of Moses, but didn't keep them. Who knew of Moses, but didn't believe him. A religion whose religious "experts" "Omitted the weightier matters of the Law". A religion whose Law condemned Jesus to death, whose Law made it a sin to walk through a cornfield on the Sabbath and pick a strawberry along the way.

A religion which "bind's heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers."

Personally I am astonished that so many are willing to ignore all these things just to promote some religious philosophy which implies that Paul's sin was knowing and following God's Laws "before" his conversion.

I would ask you Carl, after you show us who "among us" teaches that Paul didn't know about Moses before his conversion, "if Paul was an Expert on Moses and the Prophets, then why did he persecute Stephen and the true church of God??

How is it, in your religious philosophy, Paul was an expert on Moses and the Prophets before his conversion, while killing folks who believed and followed them, but Zacharias and Simeon who knew Jesus when HE came, is not even mentioned?

For the record, I believe Zacharias, Simeon, Stephen were the Biblical experts on Moses. But Paul, before his conversion, was only an expert in the religion of the Pharisees, the religion Gamaliel promoted. A religion which brought forth "children of the devil" as Jesus Himself says.

This is a very good discussion that if folks honestly examine the relevant scriptures will help expose another popular "wind of doctrine" that is false at it's very foundation.

One scripture which best exposes the false preaching which teaches Paul was an "Expert", before his conversion, on the Law of Moses comes from Jesus Himself.

John 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. 46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

But of Zacharias, the Same Christ inspired this to be written.

Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

This man knew Jesus when HE came, because HE believed Moses. Paul, before his conversion, didn't know Jesus, because he didn't believe Moses. Paul had a religion, he was an expert in it. It just wasn't the Law and Prophets.

Phil. 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (What Law? Pharisees Law which JESUS Himself said were the Commandments of men."

and again;

Gal. 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: (Where did Moses teach to do this?)

14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. (Is this what Moses taught?)

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

Who was the "Expert here on Moses and the Law? Jesus or the Pharisees? Who was Paul aligned with here, before his conversion?

And last but not least. After Paul's Conversion, Paul was accused to turning against Moses and the Prophets.

Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they (Pharisees that Paul used to be) call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

So how in the world can you preach that Paul was an "Expert" in the Law of Moses, before the Spirit of Christ was even on him? How can you preach Paul was an expert in the Law and Prophets before Jesus gave him the knowledge?

Carl, you are wrong here Biblically and Spiritually speaking. I know it is a widely believed religious philosophy, and I also know you believe it.

But Paul was not an expert on the Law and Prophets before his conversion. He became one after God revealed HIS Truth to Him. But not while he was promoting and following the mainstream religion of the land he was born into.

And for those following along. How did Paul become an expert on Moses and the Prophets, without the Holy Spirit given him "AFTER" his conversion?

It's a relevant question.

Halbhh said:

Paul wrote that he was very versed in the law, and was a student of Galadriel (Ok, now I'd better check spelling....)

heh, not Galadriel, lol...Gamaliel. lol!

Then Paul said: 3“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. ..."

Acts 22:3 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I am just as zealous for God as any of you here today.

(other places Paul talks of how he was so much a Pharisee)

heh, this is an interesting verse I hadn't seen for a while now:

Acts 23:6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial."

Click to expand...

This was after Paul's conversion, and he is speaking to folks who Carl is saying were "Experts on the Law and Prophets". "zealous for God as Paul used to be when he was murdering members of God's true church.

rocknanchor said:

It would be disrespectful not to honor the Holy Spirit and Apostle's every notation on himself,

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

Philippians 3:4-6

Click to expand...

He was a Pharisee. They were "children of the devil" according to Jesus. Hypocrite and liars. Paul followed their religion and their law "perfectly" the same way a Cardinal is an "expert" on Catholicism and follows their law faultless. But they didn't follow the Law of Moses, they weren't experts on the Law and Prophets. Paul said they considered the Law and Prophets "Heresy" (Acts 24)

How are these biblical truths not relevant to this discussion?

Pavel Mosko said:

Well Rock and Anchor beat me to the best verse, but this is another worth mentioning.

Act's 26

24At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!”


Believing Paul didn't know about Moses etc. would be like a person going away to college without understanding some basic thing like the alphabet or basic arithmetic. Indeed in the Book of Galatians Paul calls the Law a "pedagogue" which was something like a nursery school teacher, Kindergarten teacher (A slave that escorted a kid to school and instructed them in their very early years.)

Click to expand...

This was after Paul's conversion. If Paul had met himself before his conversion he would have held the coats of them who stoned him to death, as they did Stephen. Is this not true?

Daniel Marsh said:

Philippians 3
Easy-to-Read Version
Christ Is More Important Than Anything
3 And now, my brothers and sisters, be filled with joy in the Lord. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again. I want to be sure that you are prepared.

That is why I became a Pharisee. 6 I was so eager to defend my religion[c] that I persecuted the church. And no one could find fault with the way I obeyed the Law of Moses.

Click to expand...

Jesus did, the Prophet's did, but they killed Him and the Prophets. Jesus called Paul a child of the devil and told him the reason why Paul persecuted his church was because he didn't believe Moses, or know God.

In fact, the entire Law and Prophets, and the NT is a Rebuke of the way Paul, before his conversion, and the Pharisees that Paul followed perfectly, rejected the Law of Moses.

Is this not what Jesus said of the Pharisees?

Daniel Marsh said:

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Romans 4:16
So people get what God promised by having faith. This happens so that the promise can be a free gift. And if the promise is a free gift, then all of Abraham’s people will get that promise. The promise is not just for those who live under the Law of Moses. It is for all who live with faith as Abraham did. He is the father of us all.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Romans 5:13
Sin was in the world before the Law of Moses. But God does not consider people guilty of sin if there is no law.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Romans 7:1
An Example From Marriage
Brothers and sisters, you all understand the Law of Moses. So surely you know that the law rules over people only while they are alive.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Romans 9:4
They are the people of Israel, God’s chosen children. They have the glory of God and the agreements he made between himself and his people. God gave them the Law of Moses, the Temple worship, and his promises.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
1 Corinthians 9:9
Yes, it is written in the Law of Moses: “When a work animal is being used to separate grain, don’t keep it from eating the grain.” When God said this, was he thinking only about work animals? No.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
1 Corinthians 14:34
The women should keep quiet in these church meetings. They are not allowed to speak out but should be under authority, as the Law of Moses says.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
2 Corinthians 3:15
Yes, even today, when they read the Law of Moses, there is a covering over their minds.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Galatians 3:19
So what was the law for? The law was given to show the wrong things people do. The law would continue until the special Descendant of Abraham came. This is the Descendant mentioned in the promise, which came directly from God. But the law was given through angels, and the angels used Moses as a mediator to give the law to the people.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Galatians 3:21
The Purpose of the Law of Moses
Does this mean that the law works against God’s promises? Of course not. The law was never God’s way of giving new life to people. If it were, then we could be made right with God by following the law.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Philippians 3:6
I was so eager to defend my religion that I persecuted the church. And no one could find fault with the way I obeyed the Law of Moses.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Titus 3:9
Stay away from those who have foolish arguments, who talk about useless family histories, or who make trouble and fight about what the Law of Moses teaches. These things are useless and will not help anyone.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Hebrews 7:19
The Law of Moses could not make anything perfect. But now a better hope has been given to us. And with that hope we can come near to God.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Hebrews 9:19
First, Moses told the people every command in the law. Then he took the blood of young bulls and mixed it with water. He used red wool and a branch of hyssop to sprinkle the blood and water on the book of the law and on all the people.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Hebrews 10:28
Whoever refused to obey the Law of Moses was found guilty from the testimony given by two or three witnesses. Such people were not forgiven. They were killed.

Click to expand...

These are great scriptures, but they are the words of Paul "After" his conversion. The OP is claiming Paul was an "Expert on the Law and Prophets" BEFORE his conversion.

I agree he was an expert on God's Laws "after" God revealed Himself to him, but not before, when he was murdering innocent people.

But thanks for all the scriptures.

Carl Emerson said:

Good responses thanks...

This is what 'one among us' said...
============================
I just posted scriptures where Paul Himself tells us what he was an expert in. HE says "the traditions of his fathers" "Jews religion". He said where his religion came from "at the feet of Gameliel" not Moses. I also posted the Christ's own Words, as well as others, which teach that the "Jews Religion" and the "tradition of the fathers" were not from God or God's Law. Jesus said they didn't even believe Moses. He said their father was satan.
===========================

The thread is here...
Let's TALK about debate!

What I was trying to get across is that the Scriptures without the Spirit were Satans weapon of choice during the temptation in the wilderness.

I was also quoting the verse "the letter kills but the Spirit gives life..." and saying that the letter refers to the Law.

I was also saying the Pharisees knew the Word backwards including the Law but didn't recognise the Author when He arrived and killed His followers.

Concluding then - the Word without the Spirit is deadly

I was also saying that we would have less arguments on CF if we all were hearing the Spirit before expounding on the Word.

And for my efforts to lay bare the Truth I am considered to be expounding some religious philosophy !!

Thanks for helping me to be assured I haven't lost the plot !!!

I just say it as it is - and I guess noses get put out of joint...

Click to expand...

I asked once "what is the "Letter that kills"?

Lev. 19:17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

OR this? Ex. 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Are these the letter that kills in your religion, or philosophy, or belief, I have to call it something?

OR is this the Letter that Kills.

10 And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

I asked, but you refused to answer or engage. The questions are relevant. Are you preaching that the entire Law and Prophets are the "Letter that kills"? What are you preaching here? What do you mean when you yield the phrase "The Letter Kills" like a club that beats up other verses?

Do you have a meaning for this phrase? Does it include "EVERY Word of God written for our admonition?

It's not a Sin to ask you or challenge your religious philosophy. I am commanded to do so.

Studyman said:

This was after Paul's conversion, and he is speaking to folks who Carl is saying were "Experts on the Law and Prophets". "zealous for God as Paul used to be when he was murdering members of God's true church.

Click to expand...

Yes, I do think we all realize that the Pharisees considered themselves to be experts on the law -- but didn't truly know it well enough (most or many of them) so that they really were keeping it in essence (which we get so very clearly they were so far from doing, nit picking on their own traditions, and failing to keep the "more weighty matters of the law" !)

And I think probably we all know what Christ said of them so clearly and strongly in Matthew 23. But it could be good to ask someone at times if they've read Matthew chapter 23 for instance, as this chapter can be more...decisively convincing than just an isolated verse or 2.

Carl Emerson said:

Hi there,

One among us is adamant that Paul was not knowledgeable concerning Moses and the Law before conversion.

I would appreciate insight on this issue.

I have always had the impression that he was quite well informed in such matters.

Thanks for your help.

Click to expand...

The following is of Saul the Pharisee, he knew the law:

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. Rom7:7-13

happy traveller said:

The following is of Saul the Pharisee, he knew the law:

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. Rom7:7-13

Click to expand...

Before Conversion.

read to here

happy traveller said:

The following is of Saul the Pharisee, he knew the law:

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. Rom7:7-13

Click to expand...

Paul was a different man after his conversation. A New man. A man who was an expert on the Law and Prophets. Before his conversation he was simply promoting a religious philosophy taught be a religious sect called Pharisees.

His religious philosophy changed, when God revealed Himself to Paul.

The implication of the OP is that the Pharisees were trying to please God by following HIS Law to the letter. That the Pharisees were experts in God’s Law.

But the Scriptures do not support this religious philosophy.

This philosophy promotes something untrue about the Hypocrites, it implies that they were just innocent victims of a God who placed unjust, impossible to follow laws on them.

When the truth is they rejected God’s laws and created their own. Unlike Zacharias and Simeon, who were experts regarding God’s laws.

This is just one of many subtle, cleaver doctrines which promotes a lie. By itself it’s no huge deal, but when combined with other subtle untruths, it becomes a huge deal.

My hope is that we, who love the truth of God, will examine the Oracles of God He delivered into our own homes, and doctrine by doctrine, except what they teach, or as Paul calls it “Prove what is that acceptable perfect will of God”.

And in this case, the religious doctrine that preaches Paul was an “Expert in the Law of
God” before his conversation, is untrue. He was an expert in a certain religion of the land he was born into, a religion taught by religious philosophers, not the Law and Prophets.
Zacharias was taught by Word of God, not the Pharisees.

I’m You should read about what he knew.