Wednesday Evening Bible Study (May 6, 2026)

Topic

To Submit Or Not To Submit? (1 Peter 2:11-25), Part 1

Bible Study Scriptures

¹³ Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. ¹⁶ Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. ¹⁷ Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

¹⁸ Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. ¹⁹ For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. ²⁰ For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. ²¹ For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. ²² He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. ²³ When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. ²⁴ He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. ²⁵ For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. ^[1]

Group Discussion

If you were to rate your natural inclination for being submissive on a scale of one to ten, where would you place yourself and why? (One is a mud-covered doormat; ten is a banner-waving firebrand.)

Bible Study Questions

1. What are human institutions?  Please provide some examples
2. What challenges do you encounter when dealing with human institutions present?
3. What do foolish people who are ignorant of the person and ways of Jesus (and His church) do to Christians?  Why?  Where do you find these type of people?
4. According to 1 Peter 2:11, Christians are sojourners and exiles on earth, so why do we even bother to deal with human institutions?
5. What does it mean to be subject or submit to a human institution?
6. Why are Christians to submit to human institutions?
7. In a practical sense, how do Christians submit to human institutions?
8. How do Christians silence the ignorance of foolish people?
9. According to 1 Peter 2:17-20, what does it mean to do good?
10. How do we measure whether or not we are doing good?
11. Why do “good” people suffer and “unjust” people seem to prosper?
12. How does one endure sorrows while suffering unjustly?
13. How can a Christian submit to human institutions in a manner that glorifies (honors & pleases) God?
14. How will you put this Bible study into practice in your life and within our local congregation?

^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 1 Pe 2:13–25.

Baptist Church Of All Nations Bible Study Summary -05-06 19:18(GMT-4:00)

Key Outcomes

Charles Hightower Jr led a challenging Bible study on 1 Peter 2:11-25, examining how Christians should navigate submission to human institutions while maintaining biblical advocacy for justice. The teaching emphasized that submission does not mean accepting abuse or injustice, and that God calls believers to represent Christ through both obedience to just laws and courageous opposition to oppression.

Main Teaching Points

Submission in Context

• Human institutions are imperfect by nature, created by flawed people, yet Christians are called to be subject to them “for the Lord’s sake”
• Peter intentionally identifies the emperor as part of a human institution, not divine, challenging the Roman cultural view of emperors as gods
• The purpose of civil authority is to punish evil and praise good, promoting safety, harmony, and order in community
• Christians represent Jesus in how they conduct themselves, even under unjust leaders or difficult circumstances

Justice and Advocacy

• God is a God of justice who commands His people to “rescue the oppressed” (Jeremiah 22:3) and “loose the bonds of wickedness” (Isaiah 58:6)
• Biblical examples show God actively intervening against injustice, such as delivering Israel from Egyptian slavery through Moses
• The Baptist Church Of All Nations’ church covenant intentionally includes being “biblical advocates of justice” as a Christ-like calling
• There are times when Christians must engage in “good trouble” (John Lewis’s term), like the midwives in Exodus who defied Pharaoh to save babies

Civil Disobedience and Witness

• Civil disobedience is appropriate when laws are unjust, but must be conducted in a Christ-like manner
• The civil rights movement exemplified this principle: protesters dressed in suits, sat peacefully at lunch counters, and endured abuse without retaliating, silencing critics through dignified conduct
• Christians must “silence the ignorance of foolish people” by doing good works that demonstrate God’s character, even when falsely accused
• Representing Christ well means maintaining holy conduct (abstaining from fleshly lusts) while treating others with love and honor

Suffering and Restrictions

• The passage addresses servants/slaves dealing with unjust masters, acknowledging situations where people have limited control or agency
• Suffering unjustly while maintaining godly conduct is gracious in God’s sight, following Christ’s example of enduring the cross without bitterness
• This does not sanction abuse – God never approves of violence or mistreatment; believers should seek help and advocate for those in abusive situations
• Christians may need to remain in difficult employment or restricted situations temporarily while praying for change and seeking opportunities for advancement

Modern Application

• Slavery is illegal worldwide today, so the text’s application shifts to analogous situations of workplace injustice, economic oppression, or systemic inequality
• When encountering human trafficking or modern slavery, Christians must act to rescue and provide help, not remain passive
• The prison industrial complex represents a form of modern slavery through exploitative labor practices
• Believers must discern when to distance themselves from demonic or dangerous situations while praying for those involved, as Daniel did with Nebuchadnezzar and David with Saul

Theological Framework

• Christians are “sojourners and exiles” – this world is not our home, but we must not become so heavenly-minded that we ignore earthly injustice
• The text balances spiritual citizenship in God’s kingdom with responsible engagement in earthly systems
• Jesus is the ultimate example: He suffered unjustly, committed no sin, did not retaliate when reviled, and entrusted Himself to God who judges justly
• God uses imperfect leaders (like Nebuchadnezzar) for His purposes, but this does not make their injustice righteous because the LORD God also punished Nebuchadnezzar (and Babylon) for their unrighteousness

Practical Challenges Addressed

Workplace Injustice

• When underpaid or passed over for promotion due to race/gender, believers should continue honoring God through quality work while seeking better opportunities
• Do not quit impulsively out of pride when mistreated, especially if family depends on income; instead, pray, update resume, seek other opportunities, and trust God’s timing
• Advancement within organizations is possible through education and skill development, as illustrated by progression from mental health worker to LPN to RN

Responding to Systemic Injustice

• Christians must speak up against injustice, not remain silent to avoid controversy or maintain comfort
• The “lust of the flesh” includes the desire to be liked, to avoid being seen as controversial, or to not get involved when witnessing abuse
• Advocacy may create enemies, but representing God’s justice is more important than human approval

Distinguishing Lawful Authority from Abuse

• Breaking the law to commit evil (trafficking, abuse) nullifies any claim to legitimate authority
• When laws themselves are unjust, Christians should work to change them while maintaining Christ-like conduct
• Believers have agency even in restrictive situations to choose how they respond and represent Jesus Christ

Questions Addressed

Q: How do we deal with demonic spirits or evil leaders?

A: Biblical examples provide guidance. Daniel warned Nebuchadnezzar before his judgment, then prayerfully waited for his restoration without abandoning Babylon. David was called and equipped by God to walk alongside Saul after God’s Spirit left Saul and despite his possession of an evil spirit. Not everyone has such callings – sometimes distance and prayer are appropriate (even Daniel & David had some space between them and Nebuchadnezzar and King Saul). Believers should always pray for people, seek help from a distance when necessary, and only engage directly if called and anointed by the Holy Spirit.

Q: Why should slaves obey masters if slavery is unjust and illegal?

A: When the text was written, slavery was legal, so the instruction applied within that context. Now that slavery is illegal worldwide, the application changes. The principle shifts to 1 Corinthians 7:21: “although if you can gain your freedom, do so.” Christians should not submit to illegal enslavement but should work to rescue those trapped in it. The broader principle is representing Christ well in difficult circumstances, not legitimizing abuse or illegal oppression.

Q: Will there be another exodus for injustices like the Atlantic slave trade?

A: Scripture promises that Jesus is coming back to gather believers (the rapture described in 1 Thessalonians), take them to heaven, and establish His eternal kingdom. When Christ returns, “foolish people” will see Jesus and His followers were telling the truth – those who opposed justice and persecuted believers will recognize they were wrong. God will reward saints for their faithfulness and vindicate those who suffered while advocating for others. This ultimate restoration surpasses any earthly exodus.

Context and Preparation

• The study required retooling due to the challenging nature of the text, with significant input from Charles’s wife, Rev. Pastor Nikki, to deepen the teaching
• This is part one of a two-part series; next week will address wives, husbands, and submission in the context of marriage from 1 Peter 3:1-7
• The teaching acknowledges this is a “very challenging scripture” that can be difficult to interpret due to multiple factors (our distance in time for the original audience, culture, and context for example), but contains important blessings.

Next Study

Topic: Submission in marriage (1 Peter 3:1-7)  

Focus: How submission operates in Christian marriages, addressing common misunderstandings.