WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 2011

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Paul asked the Thessalonians to imitate his action of working for his personal upkeep. In 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9, Paul says, "For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you." In other words, Paul didn't demand support from his converts or eat their food without paying for it. Instead, he worked hard day and night to support himself and not be a burden on the Thessalonians. This was an example of self-sufficiency and personal responsibility that Paul wanted the Thessalonians to emulate.

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Saul was converted on his journey to Damascus. Saul, who later became known as Paul, was a persecutor of Christians who was traveling to Damascus with the intent of arresting followers of Jesus. On the way to Damascus, Saul was struck by a blinding light and heard the voice of Jesus speaking to him. This experience caused him to realize that he had been wrong about Jesus and that he needed to repent and follow him. Saul was blinded by the light and had to be led into the city by his companions. While in Damascus, he was visited by Ananias, who restored his sight and baptized him. After his conversion, Saul became a fervent follower of Jesus and went on to become one of the most important figures in the early Christian church.

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Among the four options, the king who was raised by God against the Israelites for going after the Canaanite gods is Jabin. Jabin was the king of Canaan at the time when the Israelites were led by Joshua. Jabin was known for his military prowess, and he had a large army that he used to oppress the Israelites. The Israelites, under the leadership of Joshua, were able to defeat Jabin and his army, and they took control of the land of Canaan. Jabin's defeat was attributed to God's intervention on behalf of the Israelites, who were faithful to Him.

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This statement was Samuel's reaction to Saul's defense of disobedience. In the Old Testament of the Bible, Saul was anointed as the first king of Israel, but he disobeyed God's commands by sparing some of the spoils of war instead of destroying everything as he was instructed to do. When Samuel confronted him about it, Saul defended himself by saying he saved the best animals to sacrifice to God. Samuel then replied with this statement, explaining that obedience to God's commands is more important than making sacrifices or offerings. In other words, it is better to follow God's instructions in the first place than to try to make up for disobedience by offering sacrifices or performing other rituals.

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The sons Joel and Abijah were the sons of Samuel. Samuel was a prophet and judge in Israel and was an important figure in the Old Testament. He was the last judge of Israel and anointed Saul and later David as kings. Joel and Abijah were appointed as judges by Samuel but they did not follow in their father's footsteps and were corrupt judges.

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Following Jesus' death on the cross, the incidents that took place did not include the trembling of the chief priests. However, there were other remarkable events that occurred, such as the tearing of the Temple's veil into two, the quaking of the earth that broke rocks, and the opening of tombs. These events are recorded in the Bible as miraculous signs that accompanied Jesus' death and indicated the significance of His sacrifice. While the trembling of the chief priests is not mentioned in the accounts of these events, the other phenomena that took place were significant and memorable.

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David bitterly mourned when Abner was slain by Joab. Abner was a commander in Saul's army and had recently joined forces with David. However, Joab, who was David's commander, was still angry with Abner for killing his brother Asahel in battle. Joab tricked Abner into coming to him and then murdered him. When David heard the news of Abner's death, he mourned deeply and cursed Joab for his treachery. David even wrote a lament, which is recorded in 2 Samuel 3:33-34, expressing his sorrow and honoring Abner's bravery.

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The resurrection of Jesus is significant to Christians because it marks the assurance of eternal life for Christians. According to the Christian faith, Jesus died on the cross to save humanity from sin, and his resurrection is seen as a triumph over death and a confirmation of his divine nature. Through his resurrection, Jesus conquered death and paved the way for eternal life for all who believe in him. This event is a central part of Christian theology and is celebrated as Easter, which is one of the most important Christian holidays.

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According to Joseph's interpretation to Pharaoh's dreams, the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind represented years of famine. In the book of Genesis in the Bible, Joseph was a young man who had been sold into slavery in Egypt. He was able to interpret dreams and was eventually summoned to interpret Pharaoh's dreams. Pharaoh had dreamed of seven fat cows being devoured by seven skinny cows, and of seven plump ears of grain being consumed by seven thin and blighted ears of grain. Joseph interpreted these dreams as meaning that there would be seven years of abundance, followed by seven years of famine in the land of Egypt. The seven empty ears blighted by the east wind represented the seven years of famine that would follow the seven years of abundance. The east wind was known for its hot and dry nature, which would cause the grain to wither and become useless. Joseph's interpretation led Pharaoh to prepare for the coming famine by storing up grain during the years of abundance. This ultimately saved the people of Egypt from starvation and showed Joseph's wisdom and faithfulness to God.

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On Mount Gilboa, king Saul decided to commit suicide in order to avoid being captured and killed by the Philistines. In the Old Testament of the Bible, King Saul was the first king of Israel. However, he disobeyed God and eventually lost his favor. As a result, God chose David to be his successor. In one of the battles against the Philistines, Saul's army was defeated, and his sons were killed. Saul was injured, and he feared being captured and humiliated by the Philistines. Therefore, he asked his armor-bearer to kill him, but the armor-bearer refused. Saul then fell on his own sword, committing suicide. Saul's decision to commit suicide was not because of ridicule from the Philistines, witnessing the death of his sons, or the agony of the injuries received. Rather, he did it to avoid being captured and killed by the enemy.

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On Ascension day, two men in white robes appeared to the disciples and informed them that Jesus, who had just ascended into heaven before their eyes, would come again. This event is recorded in the book of Acts, and it marks the end of Jesus' physical presence on earth and the beginning of the disciples' mission to spread the gospel message throughout the world. The two men in white robes were likely angels, and their message was one of hope and encouragement for the disciples. They assured them that Jesus' departure was not the end of their relationship with him, but rather the beginning of a new phase in which Jesus would continue to be with them in spirit and would eventually return to establish his kingdom on earth.

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Paul was stoned and dragged out of the city by Jews from Antioch and Iconium. This event occurred during Paul's first missionary journey to Lystra in the book of Acts. Paul and Barnabas were preaching the gospel message, and a man who had been lame from birth was healed. The people of the city, including some Jews, were amazed and started to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods. However, when the Jews from Antioch and Iconium heard about this, they stirred up the crowd and convinced them to turn against Paul and Barnabas. They stoned Paul, leaving him for dead, and dragged him outside the city. Despite being severely injured, Paul later recovered and continued his missionary work. This event is significant in Christian history because it demonstrates the opposition and persecution that early Christians faced while spreading the gospel message.

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After the departure of the Israelites, God made Pharaoh pursue them in order to get glory over Pharaoh and his host. The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for 400 years and God had sent Moses to lead them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. However, Pharaoh initially refused to let them go, and it was only after God sent plagues upon Egypt that Pharaoh relented and allowed the Israelites to leave. But then Pharaoh changed his mind and pursued the Israelites with his army. God parted the waters of the Red Sea and the Israelites were able to escape, but Pharaoh's army was destroyed when the waters closed back up over them. This event demonstrated God's power and glory over Pharaoh and his host. It is recorded in the book of Exodus, chapters 7-14.

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The statement "Death is swallowed up in victory, oh death where is your victory?" is found in the book of Corinthians. Specifically, it can be found in 1 Corinthians 15:54. This passage is part of a larger discussion in which Paul is addressing the Corinthians' doubts about the resurrection of the dead. He argues that because Christ has been raised from the dead, so too shall believers be raised. The statement in question comes as Paul is emphasizing the ultimate defeat of death and the triumph of life through Christ's resurrection.

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Paul advised the Thessalonians to be sober in maintaining their hope of salvation regarding the date of the Parousia, also known as the Second Coming of Christ. The Thessalonians were worried that they had missed the coming of Christ, and some were even quitting their jobs and being idle, waiting for his return. Paul reminded them that no one knows the exact date of the Parousia, and they should not be deceived by false predictions or speculations about it. However, he also encouraged them to maintain their hope of salvation, living soberly and righteously, and being prepared for the Parousia whenever it may occur. He also reminded them to comfort and encourage one another in the face of persecution and to avoid complacency, but to continue working and living their lives as responsible members of society.

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In his comparison of the human body with the body of Christ, Paul did not mention the nose. In 1 Corinthians, Paul uses the analogy of the human body to explain how the church should function as the body of Christ. He explains that just as the human body has many parts that work together to form a complete body, so too does the body of Christ have many members who work together for the common good. Paul mentions several body parts, such as the hand, foot, and eye, to illustrate the point that each member of the body has a unique role to play. However, he does not mention the nose in this analogy.

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James advised Christians to portray their faith in Jesus by practicalizing their Christian belief. In his epistle, James emphasized the importance of not just hearing the word of God but also putting it into practice. He encouraged Christians to show their faith by their deeds, such as caring for the needy, visiting the sick, and being merciful to others. James believed that faith without works is dead, and that true faith is demonstrated by one's actions. While prayer and fasting are also essential practices for Christians, James emphasized the importance of practical actions in demonstrating one's faith. By living out their faith, Christians can be a witness to others and bring glory to God.

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In Corinthians, Paul argues that the gospel message can only be ineffective or "lifeless" for Christians if they deny the message of resurrection. In other words, if Christians do not believe in the resurrection of Christ, then the gospel message loses its power and meaning. Paul also discusses other problematic behaviors among Christians that can hinder the effectiveness of the gospel message, such as persecuting one another, gossiping, and entertaining idolatrous practices. However, these actions are not specifically mentioned as causing the gospel message to be lifeless.

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The Galatians were reminded by Paul that they were Abraham's offspring and heirs according to the promise. In the New Testament of the Bible, the book of Galatians is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the churches in Galatia. Paul had preached to them the gospel of Jesus Christ, but some false teachers had come and were teaching that the Galatians needed to follow the Jewish law and traditions to be saved. In his letter, Paul reminded the Galatians that they were saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and not by their own good works or by following the Jewish law. He also reminded them that they were heirs according to the promise that God had made to Abraham. God had promised Abraham that through his offspring, all nations of the earth would be blessed. Paul explained that this promise was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who was a descendant of Abraham and who brought salvation to all who believed in him. Therefore, Paul was urging the Galatians to hold fast to their faith in Jesus Christ and not be deceived by false teachings that added requirements to their salvation. He reminded them that they were heirs of the promise made to Abraham, and that this promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

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The name Moses means "drawn out of water." According to the Bible, Moses was a Hebrew baby who was placed in a basket and floated down the Nile River by his mother to protect him from being killed by the Egyptians. He was later found and adopted by the daughter of Pharaoh and raised as an Egyptian prince. The name "Moses" reflects this story of being drawn out of the water.

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James strongly condemned partiality in the Church for all the following reasons except that it accords due respect to the rich who merit it. James argued that showing partiality towards the rich and powerful while ignoring the poor and less fortunate was contrary to Christ's example of humility and a transgression of God's commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. He stated that faith in Christ should be expressed through impartial love towards all members of the Church, regardless of their social status or wealth. Therefore, James did not suggest that the rich should not be respected, but rather that showing favoritism towards them in the Church is not in harmony with Christian virtue of love.

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The words "My son, your sins are forgiven" were spoken by Jesus to a paralytic man. According to the Gospel accounts, the paralytic man was brought to Jesus by some friends who had to lower him through the roof of the house where Jesus was preaching because of the large crowd. Jesus saw their faith and said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." This statement was significant because in Jewish culture, illness or disability was often seen as a result of sin. So by forgiving the man's sins, Jesus was also healing him physically and demonstrating His authority as the Son of God. Some religious leaders who were present at the time objected to Jesus' claim to forgive sins, but Jesus responded by healing the paralytic man and proving that He had the power to do both.

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According to Paul, the phrase "As sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness" in Romans 5:21 refers to the power of grace to overcome the power of sin and death. In this passage, Paul is explaining how sin entered the world through Adam's disobedience, and how God's grace came into the world through Jesus Christ's obedience. Paul says that just as sin once had power over all people and led to death, now grace has even greater power through righteousness, or right standing with God, which is obtained through faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, the phrase "As sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness to..." is completed by the option "eternal life", which refers to the new life that believers in Jesus Christ receive, a life that is characterized by freedom from sin and the promise of eternal life with God. This eternal life is made possible through the grace of God, which overcomes the power of sin and death.

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Paul pleaded with Philemon to forgive Onesimus. In the New Testament of the Bible, the book of Philemon is a letter written by the apostle Paul to Philemon, a Christian who owned a slave named Onesimus. Onesimus had run away from Philemon and had eventually met Paul in prison. Paul had become a Christian leader and had helped Onesimus also become a Christian. In the letter, Paul urged Philemon to forgive Onesimus for running away and to welcome him back as a brother in Christ. Paul also offered to pay any debt that Onesimus may have owed Philemon. The letter shows Paul's compassion for both Philemon and Onesimus, and his belief in the power of forgiveness and reconciliation.

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The statement "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me..." was made by the woman of Samaria. This encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman is recorded in John 4:1-42. Jesus was passing through Samaria when He stopped at a well to rest. The woman of Samaria came to draw water from the well, and Jesus asked her for a drink. The woman was surprised that Jesus, a Jew, would speak to her, a Samaritan woman. There was a long-standing hostility between Jews and Samaritans, and Jews typically did not associate with Samaritans. However, Jesus engaged the woman in conversation and revealed to her that He was the Messiah. The woman was so moved by this encounter that she went and told others in her town about Jesus.

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The words "And I asked them concerning the Jews that survived, who has escaped exile, and concerning Jerusalem..." were spoken by Nehemiah. Nehemiah was a Jewish cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes I. He was concerned about the state of Jerusalem and its walls, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians. In 445 BC, he obtained permission from the king to go to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls. The quote refers to a conversation Nehemiah had with some men who had recently returned from Judah. He asked them about the Jewish survivors and the state of Jerusalem, likely to assess the scope of the task ahead of him. The conversation is recorded in Nehemiah 1:2.

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On the fourth day of creation, God created the two great lights - the greater light to rule the day (the sun) and the lesser light to rule the night (the moon). These lights were set in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth and to mark the seasons, days, and years. God also created the stars and set them in the expanse of the sky. This is recorded in Genesis 1:14-19.

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On the day of Ascension, Jesus promised his disciples the power of the Holy Ghost. This event is recorded in the book of Acts, where Jesus commanded his disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they received the promise of the Father, which was the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Before his ascension, Jesus told his disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Ghost came upon them, and that they would be witnesses for him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. After Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples waited in the upper room, praying and fasting, until the Holy Ghost descended upon them on the day of Pentecost. The promise of the Holy Ghost was fulfilled, and the disciples were empowered to preach the gospel message with boldness and perform miracles. The power of the Holy Ghost continues to be available to Christians today, providing comfort, guidance, and strength to live a holy and fruitful life.

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The sons of Eli were regarded as worthless men for sleeping with the women at the tent of the meeting, taking the meat for sacrifice before boiling, and showing no respect to God. However, they were not considered worthless for failing to attend the places of worship regularly. Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests who were entrusted with the responsibility of serving God at the tabernacle. Instead, they abused their position and engaged in sinful behavior, dishonoring God and bringing shame to their father's name. As a result, they were judged by God and punished severely. This story is recorded in 1 Samuel 2:12-36.

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According to Paul in Galatians, the law ceased to be our custodian as soon as Christ adopted us as his children. In Galatians, Paul argues that the law was given to the people of Israel as a temporary measure to protect and guide them until the coming of Christ. However, with the arrival of Christ and his adoption of believers as his children, the law is no longer necessary as a custodian. Instead, believers are guided by the Holy Spirit and are called to live by faith in Christ. Paul emphasizes that salvation comes not from following the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ.

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Peter called for the construction of three booths or tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah during the Transfiguration. The Transfiguration is an event in the New Testament where Jesus was transformed in appearance, and his clothes became dazzling white. During the Transfiguration, Jesus appeared with Moses and Elijah, and they talked about his upcoming death in Jerusalem. Peter, James, and John witnessed this event and were amazed. Peter suggested building three booths, one for each of them, as a way to honor and commemorate the event. However, this suggestion was not accepted, and a voice from a cloud proclaimed that Jesus was the beloved Son of God and that they should listen to him. This event is significant in Christian theology because it reinforces the belief that Jesus is the Son of God and that he has a unique relationship with God the Father.

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The contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal took place at Mount Carmel. The story of the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal is found in 1 Kings 18 in the Old Testament. The prophets of Baal were false prophets who worshiped a pagan god, and Elijah was a prophet of the Lord God. Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest to see which God was truly powerful and would answer their prayers. The contest took place at Mount Carmel, a mountain range in Israel. Elijah instructed the prophets of Baal to build an altar and call on their god to send down fire to light the altar, but despite their fervent prayers and rituals, no fire came. Elijah then built an altar to the Lord God and called on Him to send down fire, and immediately, fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice and the altar. The contest at Mount Carmel was a demonstration of the power and glory of the Lord God, and a rebuke to the false worship of the prophets of Baal. It was also a turning point in the history of Israel, as many of the people who witnessed the contest turned back to the worship of the Lord God.

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The statement "Go up and join this chariot" was made to Phillip. It is recorded in the book of Acts in the Bible, when Phillip was on a missionary journey and encountered an Ethiopian eunuch reading from the book of Isaiah in his chariot. The Holy Spirit instructed Phillip to approach the chariot, and when he did, the eunuch invited him to explain the meaning of the scripture he was reading. After Phillip explained it to him, the eunuch asked to be baptized, and Phillip baptized him.

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The presentation of myrrh to Jesus signifies Jesus' suffering and impending death. In the New Testament of the Bible, the wise men, also known as the Magi, visited Jesus after his birth, bringing him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Myrrh is a fragrant resin that was often used for embalming the dead. The presentation of myrrh to Jesus is significant because it foreshadows his suffering and impending death. It is believed that the wise men presented myrrh to Jesus as a symbolic gesture, recognizing that he would face great suffering and eventually die. In addition to its use in embalming, myrrh was also used as a pain reliever and to alleviate suffering. Therefore, the gift of myrrh to Jesus can also be seen as a symbol of comfort and support, acknowledging that he would face great trials and offering him the gift of relief from pain. Overall, the presentation of myrrh to Jesus signifies his suffering and impending death, as well as the recognition of his future trials and the offering of comfort and support.

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God's constant love for unfaithful Israel is demonstrated in the book of Hosea. The book of Hosea is a prophetic book in the Old Testament, written by the prophet Hosea to the people of Israel during a time of great unfaithfulness and idolatry. Hosea's message was one of warning and judgment, but it was also a message of love and hope. In the book, Hosea was instructed by God to marry a prostitute named Gomer, who represented Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Gomer repeatedly left Hosea and returned to her life of prostitution, but Hosea continued to love her and take her back, just as God continued to love Israel despite their unfaithfulness. Through the story of Hosea and Gomer, God showed His constant love and faithfulness to Israel, even in the midst of their sin and rebellion. Hosea's message was a call for Israel to repent and turn back to God, and a reminder of God's unfailing love and mercy towards His people.

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The first king of Israel was Saul. Saul was chosen by God to be the first king of Israel, according to the Old Testament of the Bible. He was anointed as king by the prophet Samuel, who poured oil on his head as a sign of his selection by God. Saul's reign as king was not always successful, and he made some mistakes that angered God. For example, he disobeyed God's commands and spared the life of a king he was supposed to destroy. As a result, God rejected him as king and chose David to be his successor. Despite his flaws, Saul played an important role in the history of Israel as its first king. He led the Israelites in battles against their enemies and helped establish a monarchy that would continue for generations to come.

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Solomon's empire remained intact until his death in spite of his apostasy because God had offered for David's sake to spare the punishment due to Solomon. Solomon, the son of King David, was known for his wisdom and wealth. However, he also fell into apostasy by marrying many foreign wives who led him astray to worship their gods. This angered God, and He had warned Solomon that He would tear his kingdom apart and leave him with only one tribe because of his disobedience. Despite Solomon's sin, his empire remained intact because of God's promise to David, Solomon's father. God had promised David that his dynasty would continue forever, and because of David's faithfulness to God, God would spare his kingdom from destruction. Therefore, even though Solomon's actions had consequences, God's promise to David allowed his empire to remain intact until his death.

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