WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 2004

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In Colossians, Paul advised fathers not to provoke their children. This means that fathers should not be too hard on their children, make them angry or discouraged by being unfair or unreasonable in their expectations. Fathers should rather treat their children with love, patience, and kindness, helping them to grow in their faith and character.

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The purpose of grace is to justify the sinner. Grace is the unmerited favor of God that offers forgiveness and salvation to humanity. Through grace, a sinner can be reconciled to God and receive salvation, even though they do not deserve it. Grace does not cancel or enforce the law, but it is given to encourage the sinner to turn away from sin and towards God.

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The greatest evidence of God's love for man is that He gave his only begotten son to ensure man's salvation. This is a central belief in Christianity that God so loved the world that he sent his only son to die on the cross to save humanity from sin and death. Christians believe that through faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross, they can have eternal life and be reconciled with God. This act of love is considered the ultimate expression of God's love for humanity.

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After his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus drove the sellers out of the temple. According to the Gospel accounts, Jesus entered the temple and found merchants and money changers conducting business there. He overturned their tables and drove them out, declaring that the temple was to be a house of prayer, not a den of thieves. This action caused controversy among the religious authorities and played a part in their decision to have Jesus arrested and put to death.

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According to the Gospel of Matthew, after Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane, he was first taken to Caiaphas the high priest.

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The question "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there these days?" was asked on the way to Emmaus. This question was asked by two disciples who were walking with Jesus after his resurrection, but they did not recognize him. They were discussing the events that had taken place in Jerusalem, including the crucifixion and the reports of the empty tomb. Jesus then explained to them the scriptures concerning himself, and later, when they broke bread together, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.

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The parable of the reckoning of the cost of building a house was used by Jesus to illustrate the statement "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple". In the parable, Jesus talks about a man who sets out to build a tower but first sits down to count the cost to ensure he has enough resources to complete it. Similarly, Jesus calls on his followers to count the cost of discipleship before deciding to follow him. This means being willing to give up everything and endure hardship in order to be his disciple.

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When the people of Israel lacked water in the wilderness, they reacted by blaming Moses for their plight. The Israelites became very thirsty and grumbled against Moses, accusing him of bringing them out of Egypt to die of thirst in the wilderness. Moses, in turn, cried out to God, and God provided water for the Israelites by having Moses strike a rock with his staff, which caused water to flow out of the rock.

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The snatching of Naboth's vineyard by Ahab and Jezebel amounted to murder and covetousness. According to the Bible, Ahab, the king of Israel, wanted to acquire Naboth's vineyard which was near his palace, but Naboth refused to sell it as it was his ancestral property. Ahab's wife Jezebel then hatched a plot and falsely accused Naboth of cursing God and the king, leading to his stoning to death. This allowed Ahab to seize Naboth's vineyard. Thus, this act involved the sin of covetousness, as Ahab and Jezebel coveted Naboth's property and committed murder by falsely accusing and killing him.

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Deborah was a prophetess and judge in ancient Israel. Her court was located between the cities of Ramah and Bethel, in the hill country of Ephraim. Therefore, the correct answer is "Rahmah to Bethel".

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During the first missionary journey, Paul was stoned at Lystra. Explanation: During Paul's first missionary journey, he visited the city of Lystra, where he healed a man who had been crippled from birth. The people of Lystra were so amazed by this miracle that they thought Paul and his companion, Barnabas, were gods. They even brought offerings to them. However, when Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel to them, the people turned against them. Some Jews from other cities came and persuaded the people to stone Paul. They dragged him out of the city and left him for dead. But Paul was not dead; he got up and went back into the city. The next day, he and Barnabas left Lystra and continued on their journey.

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In Corinthians, Paul urged Christians to give bountifully and cheerfully. This refers to giving generously and with a positive attitude, not out of obligation or duty, but out of a desire to help and support others. Paul believed that giving was an important part of Christian living and emphasized the importance of doing so in a joyful and willing manner.

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In prophet Amos' message, the phrase "you who afflict the righteous" implies oppressing the faithful and the diligent. Amos was addressing the wealthy and powerful people of Israel who were taking advantage of the poor and needy. He criticized their injustice and warned of the impending punishment from God. The phrase highlights the oppression and mistreatment of those who are upright and doing what is right, and serves as a warning against such behavior.

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David committed adultery with Bathsheba. Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah, one of David's trusted soldiers. While Uriah was away at war, David saw Bathsheba bathing on a rooftop and was attracted to her. He sent for her, slept with her, and she became pregnant. David then tried to cover up his sin by bringing Uriah back from the war and encouraging him to go home to his wife. However, Uriah refused to go home and instead slept at the palace gates. David then ordered Uriah to be placed in the front line of battle where he was killed. After Uriah's death, David married Bathsheba.

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Joshua's farewell address to the elders of Israel took place at Shechem. Shechem was an important city in ancient Israel located in the hill country of Ephraim, between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. It was the site of several significant events in the Bible, including Abraham's first altar in Canaan, Jacob's well, and the gathering of the Israelites to hear Joshua's farewell address.

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Those who made a false report about Daniel were cast into the Lion's den in the end. The false report was made because of their jealousy towards Daniel and his position in the government. They plotted against him and convinced the king to sign a decree that prohibited anyone from making a petition to any god or man other than the king for 30 days. Daniel disobeyed the decree and continued to pray to God. As a result, he was thrown into the Lion's den. However, God protected him and he was unharmed. The ones who made the false report were then thrown into the Lion's den themselves, and were killed by the lions. This showed that God is a just God who protects those who are faithful to Him and punishes those who seek to harm His people.

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In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, when he referred to Christians as "the salt of the earth," he meant that Christians should make a positive impact on the world by allowing the gospel message to reflect in their lives. This means that they should live exemplary lives that reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians are supposed to be the ones who help to preserve and flavor the earth, just as salt does to food. By living a life of love, kindness, and forgiveness, Christians can make the world a better place and draw others to Christ.

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In the New Testament, Paul teaches that when we accept Christ, we become new creatures and our old sinful nature is replaced with a new life in Christ. This new life is bound up with Christ, and as such, we become heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. This means that just as Christ rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of God, we too will share in his future manifestation and glory. Our new life in Christ also means that we are no longer subject to the elemental spirits of the world and are free from the bondage of sin.

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According to Paul in Corinthians, the evidence of Jesus' Resurrection was that Christians saw the resurrected Jesus. After his death, Jesus appeared to his disciples, and this was witnessed by many people. Paul also saw the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus, which is his personal testimony. The empty tomb and the testimony of Mary Magdalene were also important in the Resurrection story, but Paul did not mention them as evidence in Corinthians.

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Paul praised the Philippians because they sent him gifts. In his letter to them, Paul expressed his gratitude for their support and partnership in spreading the Gospel. He commended them for their generosity and sacrificial giving, noting that their gifts were a fragrant offering and pleasing sacrifice to God.

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David spared Saul's life at Ziph because Saul was the Lord's anointed. According to Jewish belief, Saul was appointed by God as the first king of Israel, and anointed with oil by the prophet Samuel. David, who was anointed by Samuel as Saul's successor, respected the sacredness of the anointing and did not want to harm Saul, despite being pursued by him. David believed that it was not his place to harm the one whom God had anointed.

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In the parable of the True Vine, Jesus used the metaphor of a vine and its branches to illustrate the importance of abiding in Him for spiritual growth and fruitfulness. He explained that just as branches cannot bear fruit on their own but must remain connected to the vine to receive sustenance, disciples must remain connected to Him to receive spiritual sustenance. Therefore, the correct option is spiritual sustenance.

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The miracle witnessed during Peter's mission to Joppa was the raising of Dorcas from the dead. According to Acts 9:36-42, Dorcas was a disciple who had died, and the believers in Joppa had prepared her body for burial. Peter was summoned to Joppa, and upon arrival, he prayed over Dorcas's body and told her to arise. Dorcas opened her eyes, sat up, and was presented alive to the believers. The miracle caused many people in Joppa to believe in the Lord.

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According to St. Paul, "Grace" is a free gift from God for the man of faith. It is an unmerited favor that God bestows upon believers, which they do not deserve and cannot earn. Grace is seen as a central concept in Christianity, representing God's love and mercy towards humanity. It is believed that through God's grace, believers can receive forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation. Grace is therefore a fundamental part of Christian theology, and is viewed as a key element in the relationship between God and humanity.

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Jeremiah's condemnation of Israel was primarily because they broke their covenant with God and followed Baals. The Israelites turned to idol worship, and this was a major reason for their downfall. They also committed sins such as cultism and harlotry, but their failure to keep the covenant was the main reason for Jeremiah's condemnation.

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After Jesus had cast out the evil spirit from the demoniac, the people pleaded with Jesus to leave their town.

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The Love of God for humanity especially for sinners is clearly manifested in the parable of the "Lost Coin". The parable tells the story of a woman who lost a coin and searched for it diligently until she found it. This parable shows how much God loves and values each and every one of us, even when we are lost and have strayed away from Him. It is an illustration of how God rejoices when a sinner repents and turns back to Him. The parable teaches us that no matter how far we have gone from God, He is always searching for us and is ready to welcome us back with open arms.

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Hosea compared Israel's love for God to a "morning cloud". A morning cloud is a cloud that appears in the sky in the morning but quickly disappears as the day progresses. Hosea used this analogy to describe how Israel's love for God was temporary and superficial, as they would often turn away from Him and worship other gods. Just like a morning cloud, their love for God was fleeting and did not last.

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In 1 Peter, the apostle encourages Christians to rejoice in the sharing of Christ's suffering, so that they may also rejoice when his glory is revealed. This means that Christians should not be discouraged or ashamed if they face persecution or hardship for their faith, but rather they should consider it an honor to share in the same kind of suffering that Christ endured. By sharing in Christ's sufferings, Christians can look forward to the day when Christ returns and his glory is fully revealed, at which time they will be able to share in his joy and triumph.

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The statement "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears...." was directed to the priests, leaders, and men of Israel.

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Peter advised Christians living among non-Christians to live exemplary lives. This means that they should be good examples of the Christian faith by living according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. They should be honest, kind, and respectful to others, even if they are not Christians. By doing so, they would be showing the love of Christ to those around them and may even be able to influence others to become Christians.

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The first four commandments in the Bible are all about our duties to God. They teach us to have no other gods before Him, not to make idols, not to take His name in vain, and to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. These commandments emphasize the importance of putting God first in our lives and worshiping Him alone. They are considered foundational to the Judeo-Christian faith and serve as a guide for believers in their relationship with God.

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In the Beatitudes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the peacemakers" means that those who work for peace and reconciliation among people are blessed and considered as children of God. This is because peacemakers demonstrate the qualities of Christ, who is the Prince of Peace. They seek to promote harmony, healing, and restoration in relationships, families, communities, and nations. By doing so, they reflect the nature of God and contribute to the building of a more just and peaceful world. The phrase concludes with the promise that they will be called the children of God, indicating that their actions align with the will of God and reflect His character.

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The person who carried out a religious reform in Judah was Josiah. He was one of the kings of Judah who reigned in the late 7th century BCE. During his reign, he initiated religious reforms that aimed at restoring the worship of Yahweh as the sole God of the Israelites. He removed all the foreign gods and their symbols from the temple in Jerusalem and prohibited the worship of them. He also destroyed the shrines and altars of other gods in the cities of Judah. This religious reform was based on the rediscovery of the book of the law during the repair of the temple, which had been neglected for a long time. The book was believed to be the law given to Moses by God. Josiah's religious reforms were significant in shaping the religious practices and beliefs of the Israelites in Judah.

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The option that was not a result of Saul's sin of disobedience is "Destruction of Jericho". The destruction of Jericho occurred during the conquest of Canaan, which happened before Saul's time as king. Saul's sin of disobedience led to his downfall and ultimately, his death, which is one of the options listed. Additionally, his disobedience resulted in his frequent mental crises, as he was plagued by an evil spirit. Finally, his disobedience also led to the death of his children.

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The Israelites rejected the rule of Samuel's sons because they took bribe and perverted justice. Samuel, the last judge of Israel, appointed his sons as judges over Israel, but they were corrupt and took bribes, causing the people to lose trust in them. The elders of Israel came to Samuel and requested a king to rule over them instead of his sons. Samuel warned the people of the potential abuses of power by a king, but they insisted, and Saul was later anointed as the first king of Israel.

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Gehazi was a servant of Elisha, a prophet in the Old Testament. In 2 Kings 5, Gehazi lied to Naaman, a foreigner who had come to Elisha to be healed of leprosy, and asked for money and clothing in return for Elisha's healing. Elisha found out and cursed Gehazi and his descendants with Naaman's leprosy. Therefore, Gehazi was punished with leprosy because of his greed and corruption.

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When Jesus referred to Lazarus as "fallen asleep," he meant that Lazarus had passed away or died. This was a common metaphor used in biblical times to describe death, as sleep is seen as a temporary state that one can eventually wake up from, just as death is seen as a temporary state that one can eventually be resurrected from. Jesus used this metaphor to prepare his disciples and others for the miracle he was about to perform, raising Lazarus from the dead.

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After Jesus had cast out the evil spirit from the demoniac, the people pleaded with Jesus to leave their town. This is recorded in Mark 5:17-18, where the people of the region of the Gerasenes, who had witnessed the miracle of the demoniac being healed, were overcome with fear and asked Jesus to leave their region. The reason for their fear may have been because they had never seen such a powerful display of divine power before and did not fully understand who Jesus was.

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The Israelites under Barak defeated the Canaanite troops led by Sisera. This event is recorded in the book of Judges, chapter 4. Deborah, a prophetess, had instructed Barak to gather an army and face the Canaanites led by Sisera. The Israelites, with God's help, defeated the Canaanite army and killed Sisera.

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Unanswered prayers may be caused by various factors, including sin, unfaithfulness, and greed, but diligence is not a cause of unanswered prayers. In fact, being diligent in prayer and seeking God's will can increase the chances of prayers being answered. Therefore, the correct answer to this question is "diligence."

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According to the Gospel of John, John the Baptist identified Jesus as the Lamb of God by seeing the Spirit of God descending on Jesus like a dove. This happened when John was baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River. John saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and remaining on Jesus, and he declared, "I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God" (John 1:32-34). The imagery of the dove is significant because in Jewish tradition, the dove was a symbol of God's spirit and of peace, and this event signifies the coming of God's spirit upon Jesus.

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According to the Mosaic law, the only authority to declare a leper healed was the priest. In ancient Israel, leprosy was considered a highly contagious disease and lepers were ostracized from society. The Mosaic law provided strict regulations for dealing with leprosy, and the priest played a central role in the process of determining whether someone was healed from the disease. Once a person was suspected of having leprosy, he or she would be examined by the priest who would declare them "unclean." If the person was later healed, they would need to present themselves to the priest who would perform a ritual to declare them "clean" and allow them to re-enter society.

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James taught that pure religion is a combination of work and faith. In James 1:27, he states that "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James emphasizes the importance of not only believing in God but also living out one's faith through good works, especially by caring for those in need. Thus, pure religion is not just about praying or offering sacrifices, but also about putting one's faith into action through works of compassion and kindness towards others.

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