WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 2012

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On the fourth day of creation, God created the two great lights - the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night - as well as the stars. This is recorded in Genesis 1:14-19. The sun and the moon were created by God to be a source of light and to divide the day from the night. The stars were also created to give light on the earth and to be signs for seasons, days, and years.

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Prior to the day of Pentecost, the members that constituted the early Church were 120. This is recorded in Acts 1:15, which says, "In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)...." These 120 members of the early Church were mostly Jewish followers of Jesus who had witnessed his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. They were gathered together in Jerusalem, as Jesus had instructed them, to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. They spent their time praying, studying the Scriptures, and preparing themselves for the mission that Jesus had given them to spread the gospel to all nations. After the Holy Spirit came upon them on the day of Pentecost, their numbers grew rapidly as many people were converted to the faith. The 120 members of the early Church became the foundation of a worldwide movement that would eventually grow to millions of followers over the course of two thousand years.

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Jesus demonstrated his compassion for humanity in all the listed miracles except for the healing of the centurion's servant. In this miracle, Jesus healed the servant of a Roman centurion who had shown great faith in Jesus' ability to heal without physically being present. Although Jesus was willing to heal the servant, this miracle did not directly involve Jesus showing compassion for humanity in the way that the other miracles did. In contrast, the feeding of the five thousand and the four thousand demonstrated Jesus' compassion by feeding the hungry crowds, and the healing of the paralytic demonstrated Jesus' compassion by healing someone who was physically and socially marginalized.

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In the Transfiguration, Jesus took with him three of his disciples: Peter, James, and John. They went up to a mountain, and there Jesus was transfigured before them, with his face shining like the sun and his clothes becoming as white as light. Moses and Elijah also appeared and talked with Jesus. This event was a significant moment in the Gospels, revealing Jesus' divine nature to his closest followers and foreshadowing his eventual glory.

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According to the Sermon on the Mount, God's kingdom would be filled with those who were poor in spirit, meek, mournful, and hungry and thirsty for righteousness. In the Bible, the Sermon on the Mount is a collection of teachings given by Jesus to his disciples and a large crowd of people on a mountain. In this sermon, Jesus describes the qualities of those who are blessed and will inherit the kingdom of heaven. He says that the kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit, who recognize their need for God, and the meek, who are humble and gentle. Jesus also says that those who mourn will be comforted and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. In this way, Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility, compassion, and a desire for righteousness in those who seek to follow God and enter the kingdom of heaven.

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In the first creation story, the major difference between man and all other living things was that man was created in the image of the creator. This means that man was given a unique status and role in creation, different from all other living things. This image of God in man is what distinguishes him from all other creatures, and it is the basis of his special relationship with God. This also means that man has a special responsibility to care for and steward the rest of creation as God's representative.

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In Ezekiel 3:8-9, God promised to make Ezekiel's forehead hard like a diamond and stronger than flint, so that he could stand firm against the rebellious Israelites. This meant that God would strengthen and equip Ezekiel with the courage and resilience he needed to endure the difficulties he would face as a prophet. The hardening of his forehead symbolizes the mental and emotional toughness he would need to stand firm in the face of opposition and rejection from the people he was called to speak to. Essentially, God was promising to provide Ezekiel with the strength and determination he needed to fulfill his prophetic mission.

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Joseph named his first son "Manasseh" because God made him forget his hardship. According to the Bible, Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and was taken to Egypt. In Egypt, he faced many hardships, including being falsely accused of a crime and spending time in prison. However, God helped him interpret the dreams of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and he was eventually made a powerful ruler in Egypt. When Joseph's first son was born, he named him Manasseh, which means "to forget" in Hebrew, because he wanted to forget all the hardship and suffering he had endured in his past. Therefore, the name "Manasseh" symbolizes the idea of moving on from the past and looking towards the future with hope and gratitude for the blessings of God.

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When Stephen said that "yet the most high does not dwell in houses made with hands," he was arguing that God cannot be confined to a physical structure or temple made by humans. He was emphasizing that God is not limited by space or time, and that He is everywhere and in everything. Therefore, Stephen's defense suggests that God is omnipresent, meaning that He is present everywhere at the same time.

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According to Daniel, the command of Nebuchadnezzar to worship the golden image amounted to idolatry. This is because idolatry is the worship of idols or images as gods, and in this case, Nebuchadnezzar had commanded that everyone should worship the golden image he had set up.

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According to Peter, doing the right thing is a way of expressing our faith in Christ. In 1 Peter 2:15-16, he encourages believers to live as free people, but to use their freedom not as a cover-up for evil, but to do good and honor God. He emphasizes that doing what is right is pleasing to God, and it is a way of showing that we trust in Him and believe in His goodness. As Christians, we believe that our salvation is a gift from God, and we are called to respond to this gift by living a life that honors Him. This includes doing what is right and just, even when it is difficult or goes against the norms of society. When we live in this way, we demonstrate our trust in God's plan for our lives and our confidence in His ability to guide us. Overall, Peter teaches that doing the right thing is not just a matter of morality, but it is a way of expressing our faith and trust in Christ. It is a way of demonstrating our gratitude for God's love and grace, and it is a way of honoring Him in all that we do.

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The Philippians showed their solidarity with Paul while in prison by sending gifts to him through Epaphroditus. This is evidenced in Philippians 4:18 where Paul thanks them for the gifts they sent him, saying "I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent." The gifts were not just a material provision but also a show of support and encouragement from the Philippian church to Paul during his difficult time in prison.

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Abram was 99 years old when God appeared to him the second time. God's appearance to Abram is recorded in Genesis 17, where He promised to establish an everlasting covenant with him and his descendants. At the time of this encounter, God also changed Abram's name to Abraham, which means "father of many nations," and promised him a son through his wife Sarah, despite their advanced age. This appearance was significant because it renewed God's promise to Abraham and served as a reminder of God's faithfulness. Despite Abraham's doubts and uncertainties, God fulfilled His promises and blessed Abraham and his descendants.

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When Elijah's sacrifice was consumed by fire at Mount Carmel, the people reacted by saying, "The Lord is God" (1 Kings 18:39). This event occurred during a time when Israel was struggling with idolatry and disobedience to God. Elijah challenged the prophets of the false god Baal to a test of power, and the God of Israel demonstrated His supremacy by consuming Elijah's sacrifice with fire from heaven. The people's response of "The Lord is God" was a recognition of God's power and authority over all other gods. It was a turning point for Israel, as they were reminded of God's faithfulness and provision. This event is significant because it marked a moment of spiritual renewal for the nation and served as a catalyst for the people to turn away from their idolatry and back to God.

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The statement by Tobias was meant to taunt and ridicule the Jews. Tobias was an enemy of the Jews who opposed the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. In this statement, he was expressing his contempt for the Jews' efforts to rebuild the walls by suggesting that their work was so poorly done that even a small and insignificant animal like a fox could easily destroy it. This was meant to discourage and belittle the Jews and make them feel like their efforts were pointless and insignificant.

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In the book of Galatians, Paul teaches that Christians become sons of God by having faith in Jesus Christ. He argues that it is not by observing the law or by any human effort that one can become a child of God. Instead, it is through faith in Jesus Christ that we are justified and become heirs of God's promise to Abraham. In Galatians 3:26-27, Paul writes: "For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Thus, it is through faith in Jesus Christ and being baptized into him that we become children of God.

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According to Matthew's account of the baptism of Jesus, the voice from heaven said "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17). This means that the voice from heaven was identifying Jesus as God's beloved Son, who had been sent to earth for a special purpose, and expressing satisfaction with him.

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In Corinthians, Paul stated that he was unfit to be called an apostle because he persecuted the Church. This means that he considered himself unworthy of being called an apostle because he had a past of persecuting and killing Christians before he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. He recognized that he was a sinner and did not deserve the grace of God, but it was only through God's mercy and forgiveness that he was able to become an apostle and preach the gospel.

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This statement, "He saved others, he cannot save himself," was said by the crowd of people during the crucifixion of Jesus. The statement is a taunt to Jesus, implying that since he was known for performing miracles and saving others, he should also be able to save himself from his current situation. However, the statement also has a deeper meaning as it relates to Jesus' mission on earth, which was to sacrifice himself for the salvation of others. Therefore, he could not save himself because he had to fulfill his purpose of saving humanity from sin.

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The last words of Jesus on the cross were "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." These were the final words that Jesus spoke before he died on the cross. They are recorded in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 23, verse 46. Jesus had been crucified and was experiencing intense physical suffering, but he remained faithful to his mission and trusted in God until the very end. He spoke these words as a statement of surrender, entrusting his spirit to the care of his heavenly Father. This statement is a powerful example of Jesus' unwavering faith and devotion to God, even in the face of death.

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On the day of Pentecost, the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke in tongues. This means that they were able to speak in languages they did not previously know, and the people from different regions who had gathered in Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost were able to hear the message of the gospel in their own languages. This event was significant because it marked the beginning of the spread of Christianity to different parts of the world, and it fulfilled the prophecy of Joel that God would pour out his Spirit on all people.

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The first directive given to man after God had created him was "Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it." This means that God commanded Adam and Eve to procreate and populate the earth with their offspring, and also to take care of the earth and all that was in it. This directive implies that God's original plan was for humans to be in charge of the earth, taking care of it and all the living things in it.

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The Israelites under Barak defeated the Canaanite troops led by "Sisera". This story is found in the Book of Judges in the Bible. According to the story, the Canaanite king Jabin had oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. Deborah, a prophetess and judge in Israel, summoned Barak to lead the Israelite army against the Canaanites. Sisera was the commander of Jabin's army, which had 900 iron chariots and a large number of soldiers. However, with God's help, the Israelites, led by Barak, were able to defeat Sisera and his troops. Sisera fled the battlefield and sought refuge in the tent of a woman named Jael. However, while he was sleeping, Jael drove a tent peg through his temple, killing him. The victory of the Israelites over the Canaanites was seen as a result of their faith in God and their obedience to His commands.

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According to Paul in 2 Thessalonians, one of the signs of the second coming of Christ would be the revelation of the man of lawlessness. This man is described as one who opposes and exalts himself above everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Therefore, the man of lawlessness is a symbol of evil, and his appearance would signal the end times and the imminent return of Christ.

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In his letter to Philemon, Paul emphasizes the theme of forgiveness. The letter is a personal appeal to Philemon to forgive his runaway slave, Onesimus, and to receive him back as a brother in Christ. Paul expresses his confidence in Philemon's ability to do the right thing and to show forgiveness, highlighting the importance of extending grace to others. The letter shows how forgiveness and reconciliation are central to the Christian faith and how it can lead to unity and healing within the community. Therefore, forgiveness is the main theme of Paul's letter to Philemon.

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Solomon showed lack of wisdom in marrying foreign wives. Despite being warned by God not to marry foreign women who would turn his heart away from God, he still married many wives from different countries. This resulted in him turning away from God and worshipping foreign gods, which ultimately led to the division of Israel after his death.

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The words "Tabitha, arise" were said by Peter during the raising of Dorcas from death. Dorcas, also known as Tabitha, was a disciple who was known for her good works and acts of charity. After she died, her friends prepared her body for burial and sent for Peter, who was in a nearby town. When Peter arrived, he went into the room where Dorcas' body was laid out, and after praying, he said, "Tabitha, arise." Miraculously, Dorcas came back to life, and many people in the town believed in the Lord as a result.

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God provided water for the Israelites by asking Moses to strike the rock of the Wilderness of Sin. When the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness after leaving Egypt, they became thirsty and complained to Moses. God instructed Moses to strike a rock in the Wilderness of Sin with his staff, and when he did, water gushed out for the people to drink. This was a miraculous provision of water by God to sustain the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness.

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The virtue exhibited by the Centurion in the healing of his servant was faith. In the story, the Centurion approached Jesus and asked for healing for his servant who was paralyzed and suffering greatly. When Jesus offered to come and heal the servant, the Centurion humbly replied that he was not worthy to have Jesus under his roof and believed that if Jesus simply spoke the word, his servant would be healed. Jesus was amazed by the Centurion's faith and declared that it was the greatest faith he had seen in all of Israel. Therefore, it was the Centurion's strong faith in Jesus' ability to heal his servant that resulted in the miraculous healing.

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Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel for his farewell address at Shechem. According to Joshua 24:1, Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel at Shechem and summoned the elders, leaders, judges, and officials of Israel. There, he recounted the history of Israel and reminded the people of God's faithfulness to them. He then challenged them to choose between serving the Lord or serving other gods, declaring "as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). Shechem was an important city in ancient Israel, located between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, and was a significant site for the Israelites.

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Paul believes that spiritual gifts are of great advantage to the Church because they promote growth in diverse ways. Spiritual gifts are special abilities that Christians receive from the Holy Spirit to help them serve God and others. These gifts enable Christians to edify, encourage, and strengthen the Church, thereby promoting its growth. Moreover, each Christian has a unique spiritual gift that he or she can use to help others, and when Christians exercise these gifts, the Church is built up and strengthened.

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The phrase "Son of Man" emphasizes the humanity of the prophet Ezekiel. This phrase indicates that despite being a prophet, Ezekiel was a mere mortal, just like any other human being. It highlights his humble nature and reminds him of his place before God. The phrase "Son of Man" was also used by Jesus in the New Testament to emphasize his humanity and his role as a mediator between God and humanity.

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The Jewish religious sect which did not believe in resurrection were the Sadducees. The Sadducees were a wealthy and powerful group of Jews who were closely associated with the Temple and the priesthood. They rejected many of the traditional Jewish beliefs and practices, including the belief in resurrection, the existence of angels and demons, and the authority of the Oral Torah. The Sadducees believed that only the written Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, were authoritative, and they rejected the teachings of the prophets and the writings of the rabbis. They also rejected the idea of an afterlife, and believed that human beings were simply physical beings who ceased to exist after death. This belief in the non-existence of an afterlife and the lack of belief in resurrection put them at odds with other Jewish groups, such as the Pharisees, who believed in both.

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When Jesus arrived at Jacob's well, he was tired and thirsty from his journey, and he asked the Samaritan woman who had come to draw water for a drink. This request by Jesus was the beginning of a conversation between him and the woman. The woman was surprised that a Jewish man would speak to a Samaritan woman, and Jesus used this as an opportunity to teach her about the true nature of worship and salvation. He told her that the time was coming when true worshipers would worship the Father in spirit and in truth, rather than in a specific physical location such as the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus also revealed to the woman that he was the Messiah, which he had not yet openly declared to the Jewish people. He revealed to her that he was the living water, and that anyone who drank of this water would never thirst again. The conversation continued as Jesus exposed the woman's past, revealing that she had been married several times and was currently living with a man who was not her husband. This revelation convinced the woman that Jesus was a prophet, and she went on to tell others in her community about him. In summary, Jesus initiated the conversation with the Samaritan woman by asking for water to drink, which opened the door to a deeper conversation about worship, salvation, and Jesus' identity as the Messiah.

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In His teachings as the True Vine, Jesus maintained that prayers could be answered if the disciples abide in Him. In John 15:7, Jesus says, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." The emphasis is on the importance of maintaining a close, intimate relationship with Jesus, through which the disciple can receive and experience the power of the Holy Spirit, and have their prayers answered.

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