White Flag Church starts Bible study on book

White Flag Church began its six-week Bible Study on the book of First Peter. (Photo taken from White Flag Church’s website)

White Flag Church started its Bible Study about the Book of 1 Peter on Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The church’s website announced it would be an opportunity to see how the early church was persecuted and scattered, yet remained hopeful in Jesus.

They added that it will be a six-week study every Tuesday until Tuesday, March 28.

About First Peter

According to Insight for Living Ministries website, Peter wrote the First Peter, the first word of this epistle. They noted that he regarded himself as one of Jesus Christ’s apostles.

The website revealed that Peter dedicated this letter to a community of Christians around the northern areas of Asia Minor, where he may have previously shared the gospel.

Besides, they mentioned that the group of people included Jews and Gentiles. Peter addressed the letter’s recipients as “aliens,” which indicated that he was speaking to all Christians, not just to the Jews or the Gentiles.

As further explained, the apostle is speaking to these people living their lives so that they would be different from the surrounding culture.

Peter's Revelation of Persecution

The same website emphasized that in the book of First Peter, the apostle discussed about persecution. They explained that they had anticipated they must endure the persecution of Christians in the final years of Nero’s regime.

Moreover, they said Peter was not yet arrested when writing the book. The website revealed that he wrote this letter before his martyrdom around AD 66-68.

The website pointed out that Peter likely wrote in AD 64 that the persecution of Christians under Nero was ramping up. They explained that there are a lot of references to suffering and persecution in the book of First Peter.

Significance of First Peter

The website stressed that the book centers on the values of believers enduring unjust suffering but still living well. They revealed that some regard the book as the “Job” of the New Testament.

According to the website, it empowers true Christians to continue the journey Jesus laid for all His followers. They said that the apostle refers to the same story of Job, who suffered despite his righteousness.

Moreover, they noted that Peter emphasized the kind of faithful perseverance that God wants for His people.

Hope amidst Suffering

The website noted that Peter wants to lead his readers to Jesus in the best possible direction. In First Peter, he called out to Believers to “sanctify Christ as Lord” in their hearts so they may live and do what Jesus wants them to do while living here on earth.

In addition, the book mentions that submission to authority, despite their injustices, and following the government rules at home and in the workplace are all part of living out as Christians.

More importantly, the website said that Jesus is the focal point for changing one’s life amidst trials and challenges. They added that if people would root their perseverance in the person and work of Jesus, they can always rely on hope during their suffering.