WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 1994 (Essay)

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(a) The moral weakness of Eli's children and their father's failure (1 Samuel 2-4)

Eli was the priest and judge at Shiloh, and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, served as priests. They were described as worthless men who did not know the Lord. Their moral weaknesses were grievous:

• They abused the offerings of the people, sending their servant to take by force the raw meat with a fork before the fat was burned to God, thus despising the offering of the Lord.
• They committed immorality, sleeping with the women who served at the entrance of the tent of meeting.

To a large extent this wickedness was due to Eli's lack of firm parental responsibility. Eli did hear of their evil deeds and rebuked them mildly, asking why they did such things and warning that there is no intercessor if a man sins against the Lord. However, his correction was weak and ineffective; he did not restrain them or remove them from office. God Himself charged Eli with honouring his sons above God by allowing them to grow fat on the best of the offerings. Thus Eli's indulgence, his failure to discipline decisively, and his placing of family sentiment above God's honour allowed the corruption to continue. Yet the sons were also personally guilty, for they knowingly persisted in sin, so the blame was shared: the father through weak oversight and the sons through wilful wickedness.

(b) How God reacted to this lapse

God was angry and pronounced judgment on the house of Eli. A man of God, and later the boy Samuel, delivered the sentence: God would cut off the strength of Eli's house so that no old man would be found in it; Eli's descendants would lose the priesthood, which God would give to a faithful priest; and as a sign, both Hophni and Phinehas would die on the same day. This was fulfilled when the Philistines defeated Israel, captured the ark of God, and killed the two sons in one day. On hearing that the ark was taken, Eli fell backward off his seat, broke his neck and died. Thus God's word of judgment against the negligent house was fulfilled.

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(a) John's presentation of Jesus as the door and the good shepherd (John 10:1-18)

Jesus as the door: Jesus declared, "I am the door of the sheep." He contrasted himself with thieves and robbers who climb into the sheepfold by another way. He is the legitimate entrance: whoever enters by Him will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. All who came before Him claiming to be the way were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. As the door, Jesus is the only means of access to salvation, safety and abundant life; He came that the sheep might have life and have it more abundantly.

Jesus as the good shepherd: Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." Unlike the hireling, who does not own the sheep and flees when the wolf comes, leaving the flock to be scattered, the good shepherd cares deeply for his sheep. He knows his sheep and they know him, just as the Father knows Him and He knows the Father. He also has other sheep not of this fold whom He must bring, so that there will be one flock and one shepherd. He willingly lays down His life for the sheep and has power to take it up again, pointing to His sacrificial death and resurrection.

(b) Two ways this teaching relates to Christian leadership

1. Sacrificial, self-giving service: Like the good shepherd, Christian leaders must be ready to sacrifice their own comfort and even their lives for the welfare of those under their care, not exploit them.
2. Genuine care and knowledge of the flock: True leaders must know, guide, protect and provide for their people faithfully, unlike the hireling who abandons them in danger, and must lead them to Christ, the true door and shepherd.

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(a) The fulfilment of the promise of power and the reaction of the witnesses (Acts 2:1-41)

Before His ascension, Jesus promised the disciples, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. The disciples were all together in one place when suddenly there came a sound from heaven like a rushing mighty wind that filled the whole house. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared and rested on each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Devout Jews from every nation were dwelling in Jerusalem, and hearing the sound, a crowd gathered. They were amazed and perplexed because each one heard the disciples speaking in his own native language about the mighty works of God. Some were bewildered and asked what it meant, while others mocked, saying the men were filled with new wine. Peter then stood up with the eleven, denied the charge of drunkenness (it being only the third hour), and explained that this was the fulfilment of Joel's prophecy that God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh. He preached about Jesus, crucified and raised, and the people were cut to the heart and asked what they should do. Peter called them to repent and be baptised, and about three thousand souls were added that day.

(b) Significance of the descent of the Holy Spirit to the Church

• It marked the birth of the Christian Church and the beginning of its worldwide mission.
• It empowered the disciples for bold witness, preaching and miracles.
• It fulfilled the promise of Jesus and the prophecy of Joel.
• It broke language and national barriers, showing that the gospel is for all nations.
• It provided the Church with the continuing presence, gifts and guidance of God's Spirit.

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(a) Why Paul commended the virtue of giving shown by the Philippians (Philippians 4:10-20; 2 Corinthians 8)

Paul commended the Philippians' giving for several reasons:

• They alone supported him consistently: When he first preached the gospel and left Macedonia, no church shared with him in giving and receiving except the Philippians, and even in Thessalonica they sent help more than once.
• Their gift revived their care for him: After a period without opportunity, they renewed their concern by sending a gift through Epaphroditus in his time of need and imprisonment.
• Their giving was a fruit that increased to their credit: Paul valued not the gift itself but the spiritual profit that abounded to their account before God.
• Their offering was pleasing to God: He described it as "a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God."
• It expressed genuine partnership in the gospel: Their generosity showed fellowship in his sufferings and in the spread of the gospel, and he assured them God would supply all their needs.

(b) Four situations when a Christian should give

1. When there is a needy person, such as the poor, the sick, orphans, widows or strangers.
2. When supporting the work of God, the church, ministers and missions.
3. During emergencies and disasters, such as famine, flood, war or accidents.
4. In gratitude to God for blessings, through offerings, thanksgiving and helping others as an act of worship.

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(a) Why Jeremiah proclaimed God's punishment on Judah

Jeremiah warned Judah of coming judgment because the nation had persistently sinned against God and refused to repent. The main reasons were:

• Idolatry: Judah had forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters, and turned to worship other gods and idols, even offering their children to Baal and burning incense to false gods.
• Covenant-breaking and disobedience: They broke God's covenant and refused to walk in His laws despite repeated warnings.
• Injustice and oppression: They oppressed the poor, the widow, the orphan and the stranger, and shed innocent blood.
• Corrupt worship and hypocrisy: They trusted in the temple as a charm while living wickedly, saying "the temple of the Lord" yet stealing, murdering, committing adultery and swearing falsely.
• False prophets and corrupt leaders: Prophets prophesied lies and priests ruled by their own authority, misleading the people.
• Refusal to repent: They ignored God's repeated calls through the prophets to turn from evil.

Because of these sins, Jeremiah announced that God would bring a foe from the north (Babylon) to destroy the land, and the people would go into captivity.

(b) Two things Jeremiah would condemn in present-day Nigeria

1. Corruption, bribery and injustice: Cheating, embezzlement of public funds, oppression of the poor and perversion of justice by those in authority.
2. Idolatry and hypocritical religion: Empty religiosity combined with immoral living, fraud (such as ritual money and cultism), and trusting in outward worship while ignoring true obedience to God.

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(a) Instructions given to the twelve before their mission (Matthew 10; Mark 6:7-13)

Jesus called the twelve, gave them authority over unclean spirits and to heal every disease, and sent them out. His instructions included:

• Go only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, not to the Gentiles or the Samaritans (in Matthew).
• Preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
• Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out demons.
• Give freely, having received freely, without charging for their ministry.
• Take no gold, silver or copper in their belts, no bag, no extra tunic or sandals or staff (with variations between the accounts); the labourer deserves his food.
• When entering a town, find a worthy household, stay there, and salute it with peace.
• If any place would not receive them or hear their words, shake off the dust from their feet as a testimony against it.
• Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves, and endure persecution, for the Spirit would speak through them when they were brought before authorities.

(b) Four notable differences between Matthew's and Mark's accounts

1. Sending out: Mark states clearly that Jesus sent them out two by two; Matthew simply lists the twelve without stressing the pairing.
2. The staff and sandals: Mark permits them to take a staff and to wear sandals, while Matthew (and Luke) forbid taking a staff or sandals.
3. Scope of the mission: Matthew restricts them to Israel and forbids going to Gentiles or Samaritans; Mark contains no such restriction.
4. Length and content: Matthew gives a long discourse including warnings of persecution, family division and rewards; Mark's account is brief and mainly practical, and it adds that they anointed the sick with oil and healed them.

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(a) The teaching of James on prayer (James 1:5-8; 4:2-3; 5:13-18)

James gives rich practical teaching on prayer:

• Pray for wisdom in faith: If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach; but he must ask in faith, with no doubting, for the doubter is like a wave of the sea and will not receive anything from the Lord.
• Ask with right motives: People do not have because they do not ask, and when they ask they do not receive because they ask wrongly, to spend it on their passions.
• Pray in every circumstance: Whoever is suffering should pray, whoever is cheerful should sing praise.
• Prayer for the sick: If anyone is sick, let him call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord; the prayer of faith will save the sick, the Lord will raise him up, and his sins will be forgiven.
• Confession and mutual prayer: Believers should confess their sins to one another and pray for one another that they may be healed.
• The power of righteous prayer: The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. James cites Elijah, a man of like nature, who prayed that it might not rain and it did not rain for three and a half years, then prayed again and the heavens gave rain.

(b) Four factors that may hinder the effectiveness of prayer

1. Doubt and lack of faith: The double-minded, wavering person should not expect to receive from God.
2. Wrong or selfish motives: Asking to satisfy one's own pleasures and lusts.
3. Unconfessed sin and unrighteous living: Sin and disobedience break fellowship with God and hinder answers.
4. Unforgiveness and broken relationships: Failure to forgive or reconcile, along with an unrepentant, quarrelsome or hypocritical heart.

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(a) The role of Joshua in the story of the twelve spies (Numbers 13-14) and why God chose him to succeed Moses

Moses sent twelve leaders, one from each tribe, to spy out the land of Canaan. Joshua the son of Nun represented the tribe of Ephraim. After forty days the spies returned with the fruit of the land, but ten of them brought a discouraging report, saying the land was inhabited by giants (the descendants of Anak) before whom they felt like grasshoppers, and that the cities were fortified. This report spread fear and rebellion among the people, who wept, murmured against Moses and Aaron, and wished to return to Egypt.

Joshua, together with Caleb the son of Jephunneh, stood against this faithless majority. They tore their clothes and encouraged the people, declaring that the land was exceedingly good, that if the Lord delighted in them He would bring them in, and that they should not fear the inhabitants or rebel against the Lord, for the Lord was with them. The angry congregation threatened to stone them, but the glory of the Lord appeared. God judged the unbelieving generation to die in the wilderness over forty years, but promised that only Joshua and Caleb, because of their faith, would enter the Promised Land.

Reasons God chose Joshua to succeed Moses: He was a man of faith and courage who trusted God against the crowd; he was obedient and loyal, having served Moses faithfully as his assistant; he was filled with the spirit of wisdom; and he had proven military leadership (he had led Israel in battle against Amalek). God commissioned him publicly before Eleazar the priest, laying hands on him to lead the people into Canaan.

(b) Four lessons church leaders can learn

1. Courage to stand for the truth: Leaders must uphold God's word even when the majority opposes them.
2. Faith and trust in God: Genuine leaders rely on God rather than being paralysed by obstacles or fear.
3. Faithful service and loyalty are rewarded: Joshua's long, humble service prepared and qualified him for higher responsibility.
4. Leaders must encourage and not discourage their followers: A good leader builds up the people's faith and vision rather than spreading fear and complaint.

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The right Christian attitude to persecution and suffering according to Peter (1 Peter)

Peter wrote to encourage Christians who were suffering for their faith, and he set out the proper attitude they should have:

• Rejoice in suffering: Believers should rejoice that they share in Christ's sufferings, so that they may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. Though grieved by various trials, they should rejoice, for the testing of their faith is more precious than gold.
• See it as testing that refines faith: Trials come to prove and purify faith, as gold is refined by fire, resulting in praise, glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
• Suffer for doing right, not for wrongdoing: There is no credit in suffering for evil deeds, but it is a gracious thing to endure suffering unjustly while doing good. No one should suffer as a murderer, thief or evildoer.
• Do not be surprised, and do not be ashamed: The fiery trial is not something strange; if one suffers as a Christian, he should not be ashamed but glorify God in that name.
• Follow the example of Christ: Christ suffered for us, leaving an example. When reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but entrusted Himself to God who judges justly.
• Endure patiently, entrusting oneself to God: Those who suffer according to God's will should entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while continuing to do good.
• Be watchful and resist the devil: Be sober and vigilant, for the devil prowls like a roaring lion; resist him, firm in faith, knowing that fellow believers everywhere endure the same sufferings, and God will restore and strengthen them.

In sum, Peter teaches that Christians should bear persecution with joy, patience and steadfast faith, doing good, following Christ's example, and trusting God for final vindication and glory.