Acts 22:30–23:9 | Paul Before the Sanhedrin

“Paul loved God. Paul lived his life for God, but even Paul got it wrong sometimes. And it really is encouraging.” - Pastor Stacey

In this episode of The Tree Church Bible Study, Pastor Stacey sits down with Pastor Matthew and Pastor Chris to continue their study through the book of Acts. The discussion centers on Acts 22:30–23:9, where Paul stands before the Jewish high council, faces opposition, and reacts in a very human way. What begins as a tense moment of confrontation turns into a powerful lesson about humility, repentance, and growth in faith.

The conversation opens with a reflection on Paul’s mission. He had been sent to bring the message of Jesus to the Gentiles, but his boldness stirred anger among both the crowd and the Roman officials. As Pastor Stacey explains, Paul was released to appear before the high council to explain himself. He began with confidence, declaring that he had lived before God with a clear conscience. But when the high priest ordered someone to strike Paul on the mouth, his anger flared.

Pastor Chris lightheartedly notes Paul’s strong response “God will slap you, you corrupt hypocrite!” and the group laughs at the rawness of the scene. Pastor Matthew points out that while Paul was justified in feeling wronged, his reaction also crossed a line. When Paul realized he had insulted the high priest, he immediately corrected himself, acknowledging the authority of Scripture that commands respect for leaders. This moment, the pastors explain, reveals the balance between passion and humility.

From there, the group discusses how Paul’s repentance models humility for believers today. Pastor Matthew shares that he loves when Scripture shows the “rawness of real life”, that even strong followers like Paul make mistakes and then turn back to God. Pastor Stacey connects this to everyday life, saying it’s comforting to see that spiritual maturity doesn’t mean perfection. It means turning to Jesus again and again when we fall short.

The conversation turns practical as Pastor Chris describes how important it is to model apology and reconciliation, especially as parents. He shares how apologizing to his children teaches them what humility looks like in real life. Pastor Matthew agrees, saying that true leadership, whether in a family, workplace, or church, means being willing to admit when we’re wrong and ask forgiveness. These moments of humility create space for healing and growth.

The pastors also reflect on how reconciliation is often not modeled well in our culture. Pastor Matthew recalls growing up in a home where conflict would flare up and then simply be ignored. There was little example of healthy resolution. He explains that when parents admit mistakes to their children, they are showing them what godly reconciliation looks like. It teaches them that apology is not weakness, it’s strength guided by love and truth.

Pastor Stacey summarizes it simply: admitting when we’re wrong allows others to see Christ in us. It’s not about defending our image but about demonstrating submission to God’s authority. Each pastor emphasizes that apologizing reveals a heart measured against Scripture, not personal pride.

The conversation then moves into a new section of Acts 23, where Paul divides the council by declaring himself a Pharisee who believes in the resurrection. This clever statement stirs debate between the Pharisees and Sadducees, giving Paul a temporary reprieve. Pastor Stacey notes that Paul used a keen understanding of human nature here, he knew that people often cling to their existing beliefs and resist challenge.

This launches the group into a deeper discussion about confirmation bias, the tendency to seek out information that supports our opinions while ignoring anything that challenges them. Pastor Chris defines it as “surrounding yourself with information that upholds your view,” while Pastor Matthew expands on how dangerous that mindset can be. He shares how personal growth, both spiritual and practical, requires openness to new understanding. Without humility, he says, “you’ll still be the same person you were 16 years ago.”

Each pastor shares personal experiences of how God has used dialogue and disagreement to shape their faith. Pastor Matthew recalls years of theological discussion with Pastor Chris, where both men grew in understanding through honest and safe conversations. They emphasize that disagreement doesn’t mean division, when rooted in love and mutual respect, it leads to deeper truth.

Pastor Stacey observes that this approach reflects the culture of The Tree Church. It’s a space where questions are welcomed and faith is strengthened through learning. Together, the pastors encourage listeners to seek wisdom from Scripture, listen with humility, and remember that spiritual growth always requires a teachable heart.

The discussion closes with reflection on how modern culture often reinforces division. Social media, politics, and pride make it easy to fall into “echo chambers,” where people only hear their own perspective echoed back. The pastors urge believers to resist that pattern and to choose humility over certainty. Pastor Matthew reminds listeners that relationships are more important than being right, and Pastor Chris agrees that love should always lead the way.

As the conversation ends, Pastor Matthew prays for everyone listening, to have humility, openness, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s voice. His prayer reminds listeners that God continues to shape us daily, and that growth comes when we remain humble before Him.