WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 1994

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According to Peter, "when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23). Therefore, the illustration that is not mentioned as an example of how Jesus lived a life worthy of imitation is "when he suffered, he fought back spiritedly". Peter emphasizes that Jesus did not retaliate when he suffered but rather committed himself to God's righteous judgement, showing us how to respond to unjust suffering with patience, trust, and faith in God.

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Saul's war with the Amalekites was called Holy War because Yahweh ordered total destruction. According to the Bible, in 1 Samuel 15, God commanded Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites and all that belonged to them, sparing nothing. This was seen as a holy war because it was fought for a religious purpose and was sanctioned by God. Saul was supposed to completely devote the Amalekites and their possessions to destruction as an act of obedience to God. However, Saul spared some of the spoils of war, which angered God and resulted in his downfall.

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Naaman the Syrian leper was healed by Elisha, according to the Bible. Naaman was a Syrian commander who suffered from leprosy, and he went to Elisha for a cure. Elisha instructed him to dip himself seven times in the Jordan River, and after doing so, Naaman was completely healed of his leprosy. This miraculous healing demonstrated the power of God and brought Naaman to faith in the God of Israel.

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God instructed man to "be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it" after He had created him. This commandment emphasizes the importance of procreation and the need to populate the earth. Additionally, it encourages man to exercise dominion over the earth and its resources in a responsible and sustainable manner. This instruction underscores the special relationship between God and man, and the role that man plays in the world as a steward of God's creation.

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In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul argues that if Christ were not raised from the dead, then the Christian faith would have been in vain. This is because the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of the Christian faith. If Jesus had not risen from the dead, then His death on the cross would have had no meaning, and there would be no hope for eternal life. The resurrection of Jesus is the proof that He was indeed the Son of God, and it demonstrates God's power over sin and death. Without the resurrection, there would be no forgiveness of sins, no reconciliation with God, and no promise of eternal life. Therefore, Paul argues that the resurrection of Jesus is essential to the Christian faith, and if it had not happened, then the faith of Christians would be meaningless.

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According to Amos, true religion is described as one in which justice and righteousness flow like an endless stream. Amos was a prophet in the Old Testament who spoke to the people of Israel about their lack of justice and righteousness. He condemned their empty religious practices, including their feasts and solemn assemblies, and their belief that God could be appeased with sacrifice and tithes alone. Instead, Amos emphasized the importance of doing justice and loving kindness, and walking humbly with God. In Amos 5:24, he famously says, "But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" This means that true religion is not just about outward rituals and sacrifices, but about living a life of justice, fairness, and compassion towards others, which should flow naturally from a heart that is devoted to God.

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In regard to the second coming of the Lord, Paul advises us to keep awake and be sober. This means we should remain vigilant and alert, being prepared for His return at any moment. We should not let ourselves become complacent or distracted by the cares of this world. Rather, we should live holy and righteous lives, ready to meet the Lord when He returns. Additionally, while there may be signs and events that precede His coming, we should not try to predict the exact time or season, but instead focus on living faithfully in the present. Finally, we should have confidence in our security in Christ, knowing that we have been redeemed and saved through His sacrifice on the cross.

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Jeremiah concludes that Israel can no longer escape the impending punishment, even if they try to wash themselves with lye and much soap. This statement is a metaphor that describes how the Israelites' attempts to cleanse themselves from their guilt and sin are useless in the eyes of God. The stain of their wrongdoing remains before God, and they cannot escape the punishment that will come as a result of their disobedience. Jeremiah's message is a call to repentance, urging the people of Israel to acknowledge their guilt and turn back to God before it is too late.

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The statement, "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: ‘though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow’" by Isaiah means that if we are willing to repent, God will forgive us. Isaiah is using the image of scarlet sins becoming white as snow to illustrate the transformative power of God's forgiveness. Even if our sins are deep and dark like scarlet, God's grace and mercy are greater, and He is willing to forgive us if we turn to Him with a contrite heart. The passage emphasizes that God desires to reason with His people, to have a dialogue with them about their sins, and to offer them the opportunity to be forgiven. It underscores the importance of repentance and the promise of God's forgiveness for those who seek it.

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Jesus condemns the partiality of the Church towards the rich because they oppress the poor. In the book of James, we are told that God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, while the rich have a tendency to oppress the poor and drag them into court (James 2:5-6). Therefore, when the church shows partiality to the rich and gives them preferential treatment, they are not following the example of Jesus who came to preach the good news to the poor (Luke 4:18). This behavior is also inconsistent with the command to love your neighbor as yourself (James 2:8).

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The statement "Follow me and leave the dead to bury the dead" implies that Jesus placed more emphasis on following him and spreading his teachings to others, rather than focusing on traditional cultural practices such as burying the dead. He wanted his followers to prioritize their commitment to him and his teachings over other responsibilities and cultural practices, even ones that were considered very important like burying the dead. It does not mean that Jesus opposed burial of the dead, was beside himself, was acting as a fanatic, or regarded as dead anybody who rejects him.

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The teaching of Paul in Romans that Christians are buried in baptism with Christ Jesus suggests a new life in Christ. When Paul speaks of baptism in this passage, he is referring to the symbolic act of being immersed in water, which represents dying to the old self and rising to a new life in Christ. Paul emphasizes that just as Christ died and rose again, Christians should also die to their old way of life and rise again to live a new life in Christ. This new life is characterized by a commitment to righteousness and a willingness to live in obedience to God. Therefore, to summarize, the teaching suggests that Christians who have been baptized with Christ have a new life in Him and are called to live according to His ways.

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Jesus selected the twelve disciples in order to train them to carry on after his departure. In the Bible, Jesus chose twelve men to be his disciples, and he spent much of his time teaching them about God and the Kingdom of Heaven. He performed miracles and shared parables with them to illustrate important lessons, and he sent them out to preach and heal others in his name. Jesus knew that he would not always be with them, so he prepared them for the time when he would be gone. He taught them how to lead and how to love, how to serve and how to sacrifice. Jesus knew that the work he began was too important to be limited to just one person, so he chose twelve disciples to carry on his mission after his departure. They became the foundation of the Church and the first Christian leaders, spreading the message of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

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The Philippians sent gifts to Paul through Epaphroditus. Epaphroditus was a member of the Philippian church and a friend of Paul. He was entrusted with delivering the gifts to Paul while he was under house arrest in Rome. However, during his stay, Epaphroditus fell ill and almost died. When he recovered, Paul sent him back to Philippi with a letter expressing his gratitude for the gifts and his concern for the Philippian church. So, to summarize, the Philippians sent gifts to Paul through their fellow church member and friend, Epaphroditus, who also served as a messenger between Paul and the Philippians.

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In the Acts of the Apostles, communal living in the Early Church was characterized by sharing of goods, praying together, breaking of bread, and having fellowship together. However, hiding from Jewish arrest was not a characteristic of communal living in the Early Church. While the early Christians faced persecution and opposition from the Jewish authorities, they did not hide from them but continued to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ boldly. The book of Acts describes the early Christians as a close-knit community that cared for one another, shared their resources, and worshiped together. This communal living was an expression of their love for God and for one another and served as a witness to the transforming power of the Gospel.

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God gave man the instruction "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it." This instruction can be found in Genesis 1:28 of the Bible. It emphasizes man's responsibility to procreate, populate and exercise dominion over the earth. It is a call to multiply and make the earth productive while taking care of it.

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During the first Christian missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas were referred to as gods at Lystra. In the Bible, Acts 14:8-18 describes how Paul and Barnabas healed a man who had been lame from birth. The people of Lystra saw this miracle and started to call them "gods" in their own language. They believed that these two men were gods who had come down to earth, so they brought offerings and sacrifices to them. However, when Paul and Barnabas heard of this, they tore their clothes and told the people that they were just ordinary men, not gods. They encouraged the people to turn away from idol worship and to follow the one true God. So, although they were briefly referred to as gods, Paul and Barnabas quickly corrected this misconception and pointed the people to the true source of their power and authority.

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Peter admonishes Christians who suffer for Christ not to be ashamed. In 1 Peter 4:16, Peter encourages believers who suffer for their faith to glorify God in that name. He further explains that if anyone suffers as a Christian, they should not be ashamed but should glorify God in that name. In essence, Peter is urging Christians not to feel ashamed or embarrassed for the suffering they experience for following Christ. Instead, they should be proud that they are identified with Christ and take pride in the fact that they are suffering for His sake.

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In Paul's Epistle to the Galatians, enslavement to the elemental spirit of the universe is not a condition for the claim by Christians that they are children of God. Paul emphasizes that Christians are redeemed from sin by the blood of Jesus, adopted as children of God, and redeemed from the law by Jesus Christ. Additionally, he highlights the importance of the indwelling of the spirit of God in their hearts as evidence of their faith. However, enslavement to the elemental spirit of the universe is not mentioned as a condition for the claim by Christians that they are children of God. Instead, Paul warns against being enslaved by such elemental spirits and urges believers to live by the spirit of God.

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Saul was a native of Tarsus. Tarsus was an important city in ancient Cilicia, located in modern-day Turkey. Saul, who later became known as the apostle Paul, was born in Tarsus and grew up there. Tarsus was a significant center of learning and culture, and it is likely that Saul received a good education there. As a young man, Saul became a Pharisee and was zealous for the Jewish faith, persecuting Christians until he had a transformative encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. The fact that Saul was from Tarsus is mentioned several times in the New Testament, including in Acts of the Apostles and in Paul's letters.

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The Jews sought to kill Jesus after He had healed the man at the pool of Bathzatha because He allowed the man to carry his pallet on the Sabbath, which was against their law.

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According to Paul's Epistle to the Philippians, a Christian can prove his humility by showing love and being in full accord with other people. In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul says "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Paul emphasizes that humility means putting the interests of others before our own, and treating others with love, respect, and kindness. This is the opposite of selfishness and self-centeredness, which are the antithesis of humility. Thus, a Christian who shows love and lives in harmony with others is demonstrating true humility.

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When the guards reported the incident of the empty tomb, the Jewish authorities asked them to say that Jesus' disciples had stolen His body. This was an attempt by the authorities to explain away the empty tomb and to discredit the claim of the resurrection. By blaming the disciples, they sought to shift the blame away from themselves and to prevent the spread of the Christian message. However, this explanation was later refuted by the eyewitness accounts of the disciples, who testified to seeing Jesus alive after His death and burial.

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According to James, to be only hearers of the law and not doers of it is deceiving oneself. In other words, simply listening to the teachings of the law without actually putting them into practice is not true religion and is considered self-deception. James emphasizes the importance of not only hearing the word of God but also doing what it says in order to live a life of true faith. Therefore, one must not only have faith but also put it into action by doing good works.

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The central theme of Paul's letter to Philemon is the forgiveness of one another's sins. The letter is a personal appeal from Paul to Philemon, a fellow Christian, on behalf of Onesimus, a slave who had run away from Philemon and who had become a Christian under Paul's ministry. In the letter, Paul asks Philemon to receive Onesimus back not as a slave, but as a beloved brother in Christ, urging him to forgive any wrongs committed against him and to extend grace and mercy towards Onesimus. This theme of forgiveness and reconciliation is central to the letter and serves as a powerful example of how Christians are to live out their faith in their relationships with one another.

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Paul's teaching in 1 Thessalonians is that those who are left until the coming of the Lord shall join those who are raised to meet the Lord. In this passage, Paul is addressing concerns about what will happen to believers who die before Jesus returns. He assures the Thessalonian Christians that those who have died in Christ will rise first and will be joined by those who are still alive at the time of Christ's return. Together, they will meet the Lord in the air, and will be with Him forever. Paul's teaching emphasizes the hope that Christians have in the promise of eternal life and the ultimate victory of Christ over death. It encourages believers to live in readiness for Christ's return, to be steadfast in their faith, and to comfort one another with these words.

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The extra detail that Mark gave in his account of the stilling of the storm, not contained in either Matthew or Luke, is that Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. This detail highlights the humanity of Jesus, who was exhausted from his ministry and able to rest even in the midst of a raging storm. It also emphasizes the power of Jesus, who was able to calm the storm with just a word, despite being asleep when the disciples woke him up. This detail adds to the dramatic effect of the story and underscores the faith of the disciples in Jesus as they marveled at His power.

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Peter and John were arrested the second time by the Jewish authorities because they were preaching in the name of Jesus. After healing a lame man, Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, who questioned them about the healing. Peter and John boldly testified that the healing was done in the name of Jesus, whom the Jewish leaders had crucified but whom God had raised from the dead. The Sanhedrin was angered by their preaching and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. However, Peter and John refused to obey the Sanhedrin, stating that they must obey God rather than human authority. As a result, they were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin again. This time, they were warned and released, but their preaching and boldness continued to spread and impact many.

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The leadership quality manifested by Joseph when he told his brothers not to be angry with themselves for selling him is Forgiveness. Joseph's brothers had treated him badly in the past, selling him into slavery out of jealousy. However, when Joseph was eventually reunited with his brothers, he did not seek revenge or hold a grudge against them. Instead, he forgave them and reassured them that God had used their actions for good. This act of forgiveness demonstrated Joseph's strength of character and his ability to overcome bitterness and resentment. As a leader, forgiveness is an important quality to possess, as it enables leaders to build trust, promote healing and reconciliation, and move forward in a positive direction.

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During the reign of Ahab, the supremacy of God was championed by Elijah. He was a prophet who spoke on behalf of God and was a fierce advocate for the worship of the one true God of Israel. Elijah's ministry was marked by several miracles, including the famous confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. He demonstrated the power and authority of God over false gods and called the people of Israel to repent and return to the worship of the true God. Elijah's message and example inspired many, including his successor Elisha, to continue the work of championing the supremacy of God in Israel.

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During Nebuchadnezzar's siege on Jerusalem in the reign of Jehoiachin, the outcome was that Nebuchadnezzar carried away the treasures of the temple. Jehoiachin was also taken captive along with his family and many of the people of Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar did not slay all the children of the king or gouge out the king's eyes, but he did not allow Jehoiachin to remain on the throne. Instead, Nebuchadnezzar appointed Zedekiah as king of Judah. So, to summarize, the outcome of the siege was the plundering of the temple treasures and the exile of Jehoiachin and his people.

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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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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.

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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) 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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(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) 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 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) 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.