Acts 9, Chuck Smith teaching (C2000, 1979 to 1985)

Read as you listen: Chuck Smith on Acts 9

Read the opening of his teaching

When Alexander the Great conquered the world, he left pockets of Greek culture throughout the world. So these pockets of Greek culture became very influential. And even though the Roman Empire conquered the Grecian Empire, yet the Grecian culture remained as a dominant characteristic throughout the world. So the world was under the Roman Empire, but it was dominated by Grecian culture.

Now the Grecian culture was more towards the arts, and in contrast, the Hebrew culture was very legalistic. The Pharisees were representatives of the Hebrew culture, very strict, very legalistic. They tended towards the legal side, whereas the Grecian was more cultural, more interested in the various forms of art and all. Thus, there was a real conflict in these cultures.