Slade's point is that those of the synagogue accepted Paul as a Pharisee,
although many of them became disagreeable with him after his challenge to
them to believe that Yeshua is the Messiah. Now being disagreeable with him
is not the same thing as considering him "apostate." Keep in mind that Paul
being a circumcised Benjamite was much more important to the Jewish mindset
than whether or not he believed in angels or the resurrection of the dead.
We have to be careful not to project our culture into the culture in which
Paul lived.
A very good point -- especially the last sentence or two.
J
