WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 1990 (Essay)

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(a) The coming of the Lord according to Paul's teaching (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:1-11; cf. 1 Corinthians 15)

Paul wrote to comfort the Thessalonians who were anxious about believers who had died before Christ's return. He assured them that they should not sorrow as those who have no hope, because of the certainty of the second coming.

• The dead in Christ are not lost: "If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus."
• The manner of His coming: "The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God."
• The resurrection of the dead: "The dead in Christ will rise first."
• The gathering of the living: "Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air."
• Eternal fellowship: "And thus we shall always be with the Lord," words meant to comfort one another.
• The suddenness of the day: "The day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night." When people say, "Peace and safety," sudden destruction comes upon them, and they shall not escape.
• Believers must be watchful: they are children of light, not of darkness, so they should not sleep but watch and be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the hope of salvation.

(b) What this teaches us as Christians

• We should live in constant readiness and watchfulness, for no one knows the day or hour.
• We should have hope and comfort concerning departed believers, knowing there will be a resurrection and reunion.
• We should live holy, sober and godly lives as children of the light, avoiding the works of darkness.
• We should encourage and build up one another, remaining faithful until the Lord returns to receive us into eternal fellowship with Him.

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(a) How Paul uses Abraham to prove justification by faith (Romans 4; cf. Galatians 3)

Paul argues that a person is justified (declared righteous before God) not by works of the law but by faith, and he uses Abraham, the revered father of the Jews, as his decisive proof.

• Abraham was justified by faith, not works: Paul quotes Genesis, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." If Abraham had been justified by works he would have something to boast about, but not before God. His righteousness was reckoned to him as a gift, not as wages earned.
• Righteousness credited apart from works: just as David spoke of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works, so righteousness comes by faith, not by keeping the law.
• Abraham was justified before circumcision: the promise was reckoned to him while he was still uncircumcised, so he is the father of all who believe, both uncircumcised Gentiles and circumcised Jews who follow his faith. Circumcision was only a seal of the righteousness he already had by faith.
• The promise came through faith, not law: the promise that Abraham would be heir of the world came through the righteousness of faith, so that it might rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his spiritual descendants.
• Strong faith in God's promise: though he was about a hundred years old and Sarah's womb was dead, Abraham did not waver in unbelief but was strengthened in faith, fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised. That is why "it was accounted to him for righteousness."

Thus Abraham proves that justification has always been by faith, available to all who believe.

(b) The role of faith in the life of Christians today

• It is through faith in Christ that believers are justified and reconciled to God.
• Faith gives access to God's grace, peace and the hope of glory.
• Christians live and walk by faith, trusting God's promises even when circumstances seem impossible.
• Faith produces obedience, good works, endurance in trials, and answered prayer, and is the means by which we please God and receive salvation.

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(a) Events that led Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1-2)

Nehemiah was the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes in the citadel of Susa. His brother Hanani and other men came from Judah, and Nehemiah asked them about the Jews who had escaped the captivity and about Jerusalem. They reported that the survivors were in great distress and reproach, that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down, and its gates burned with fire.

On hearing this, Nehemiah sat down and wept, mourning and fasting for several days. He prayed to God, confessing the sins of Israel, appealing to God's covenant promises, and asking for mercy and success before the king. For about four months he carried this burden.

One day, as he served wine, the king noticed his sadness and asked the reason. Afraid but praying to God, Nehemiah explained that the city of his fathers' tombs lay in ruins. The king asked what he wanted; Nehemiah requested to be sent to Judah to rebuild the city, and asked for letters of safe conduct to the governors and timber from the king's forest. The king, and the queen sitting beside him, granted his requests, "according to the good hand of my God upon me."

Nehemiah travelled to Jerusalem with an escort. After three days he inspected the ruined walls secretly by night. Then he told the priests, nobles and officials, "You see the distress we are in... Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach," and told them how God had helped him. They responded, "Let us rise up and build," and set their hands to the good work. Despite opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem, the wall was completed in fifty-two days.

(b) What we learn from Nehemiah's role in the reconstruction

• Concern and patriotism: he cared deeply for his people and homeland and was willing to sacrifice his comfort to help them.
• Prayerfulness: he prayed at every stage and depended on God for success.
• Good planning and leadership: he investigated the situation, organised the people, and mobilised them for the work.
• Courage and perseverance: he faced ridicule, threats and plots but stayed focused and finished the task.
• Faith and vision: he trusted that "the God of heaven will prosper us," teaching us to combine prayer with diligent action.

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(a) The crossing of the Red Sea and God's role (Exodus 14)

After the tenth plague Pharaoh let Israel go, but he soon regretted it and pursued them with six hundred chosen chariots and his army. Israel was encamped by the sea at Pi-hahiroth. When the people saw the Egyptians advancing, they were terrified and cried out, complaining to Moses that it would have been better to remain slaves in Egypt than to die in the wilderness.

Moses reassured them, "Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." God's role was decisive at every stage:

• The angel of God and the pillar of cloud moved from before Israel to their rear, coming between them and the Egyptians. It gave darkness to the Egyptians but light to Israel, so the armies did not meet all night.
• God told Moses to stretch out his rod over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, dividing the waters so that Israel walked through on dry ground with the waters as a wall on their right and left.
• When the Egyptians pursued into the sea, God troubled their host, took off their chariot wheels, and made them drive heavily.
• At dawn Moses stretched out his hand again and the sea returned to its strength, drowning Pharaoh, his chariots and horsemen; not one of them survived.

Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore, feared the Lord, and believed Him and His servant Moses. Moses and Miriam then sang a song of victory to God.

(b) Two lessons Israel learned

1. God is a faithful deliverer: He saves His people in impossible situations, so they should trust and not despair.
2. God fights for and vindicates His people: He judges their oppressors, teaching that obedience and faith in God lead to salvation while pride and cruelty (as in Pharaoh) lead to destruction.

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(a) The first sign at Cana and its effect on the disciples (John 2:1-11)

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana of Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and His disciples were also invited. During the feast the wine ran out, and Mary said to Jesus, "They have no wine." Jesus replied, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come." Nevertheless His mother told the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."

Nearby stood six stone waterpots used for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, "Fill the waterpots with water," and they filled them to the brim. Then He said, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." When the master of the feast tasted the water that had become wine, not knowing its source, he called the bridegroom and said, "Every man serves the good wine first... but you have kept the good wine until now," for this wine was better than the first.

John concludes, "This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him."

Effect on the disciples: the miracle revealed Jesus' glory and divine power, and as a result His disciples believed in Him, strengthening their faith at the start of His ministry.

(b) Two lessons from the story

1. Obedience brings blessing: the servants obeyed Jesus' instructions exactly, and the miracle followed; we too should do whatever He says.
2. Jesus cares about our ordinary needs and gives His best: He honoured the wedding and provided abundantly and with the finest quality, teaching that God supplies our needs generously and that Jesus is divine, worthy of our faith.

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The story of Naaman and Gehazi, and the consequences of greed (2 Kings 5)

Naaman was the commander of the army of the king of Syria (Aram), a great and honourable man, but he was a leper. A captive Israelite girl who served his wife told her that a prophet in Samaria could cure him. With the king of Syria's letter and rich gifts of silver, gold and garments, Naaman went to the king of Israel, who tore his clothes in fear. Elisha the prophet sent word, "Let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel."

When Naaman arrived with his horses and chariots, Elisha did not even come out but sent a messenger, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored." Naaman was angry, expecting a dramatic gesture, and complained that the rivers of Damascus were better than the waters of Israel. But his servants persuaded him, so he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, and his flesh became clean like that of a little child. He returned to Elisha, confessed that there was no God in all the earth except in Israel, and offered a gift, which Elisha firmly refused.

Gehazi and greed: Gehazi, Elisha's servant, coveted the gifts his master had refused. He ran after Naaman and lied, saying that two young prophets had come and that Elisha wanted a talent of silver and two changes of garments for them. Naaman gladly gave two talents of silver and two garments. Gehazi hid the goods and returned to stand before his master. Elisha asked where he had been, and Gehazi lied again, "Your servant went nowhere." Elisha rebuked him: "Did not my heart go with you...? Is it a time to receive money and garments...?" As punishment, "the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever." Gehazi went out from his presence a leper, as white as snow.

Consequences of greed:

• Greed led Gehazi into lying and deceit.
• It brought upon him the very leprosy from which Naaman had been cleansed, and upon his descendants forever.
• He lost his honourable position and good standing with the prophet.
• The account teaches that covetousness, lying and abuse of a sacred office attract God's judgement, and that His gifts must not be turned into personal gain.

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The parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)

Jesus told of a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day. At his gate lay a poor beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who longed to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs came and licked his sores. The rich man ignored him entirely.

In time both men died. Lazarus was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom (a place of comfort), while the rich man was buried and found himself in Hades, in torment. Lifting up his eyes, he saw Abraham far off and Lazarus beside him. He cried, "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame."

Abraham replied, "Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented." He added that a great gulf was fixed between them so that no one could cross from one side to the other. The rich man then begged that Lazarus be sent to warn his five brothers so that they would not come to the same place of torment. Abraham answered, "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." The rich man insisted that if one went to them from the dead they would repent, but Abraham concluded, "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead."

Two lessons from the parable

1. We must show compassion to the poor and needy: selfish neglect of the suffering, like the rich man's, brings judgement, while God notices and rewards the humble sufferer.
2. There is life after death with rewards and punishment, and our destiny is fixed: we should therefore heed God's word (Moses and the prophets, the Scriptures) and repent now, for there is no second chance after death.

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(a) How a Christian rightly becomes a child of God according to Paul (Romans 8; Galatians 3-4)

Paul teaches that becoming a child of God is not by natural birth, race or the works of the law, but by God's grace received through faith in Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.

• Through faith in Christ: "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26). Faith unites the believer to Christ, the true Son.
• By baptism into Christ: "As many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ," so that in Him there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for all are one (Galatians 3:27-28).
• By adoption through the Spirit: God sent forth His Son to redeem those under the law, "that we might receive the adoption as sons." Believers do not receive a spirit of bondage again to fear, but the Spirit of adoption by whom they cry, "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5-6).
• By being led by the Spirit: "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:14-16).
• As heirs of God: "If children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ," sharing in His glory and inheritance.

Thus one becomes a child of God through repentance and faith in Christ, symbolised in baptism, and confirmed by the indwelling and leading of the Holy Spirit.

(b) Two ways to show that you are a true child of God

1. By being led by the Holy Spirit and living a holy life: putting to death sinful deeds, obeying God's word, and bearing the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience and self-control).
2. By loving God and others: showing genuine love, forgiveness, kindness and good works toward one's neighbour, and enduring hardship and even suffering for Christ without losing faith.

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(a) How God used Gamaliel to further the cause of Christianity (Acts 5:33-42)

After the apostles were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin for continuing to preach in the name of Jesus, they boldly declared, "We ought to obey God rather than men." The council was furious and plotted to kill them. At that point Gamaliel, a Pharisee and a doctor of the law held in honour by all the people (and Paul's own teacher), stood up and ordered the apostles put outside for a while.

He advised the council to be careful in dealing with these men. He reminded them of two earlier movements: Theudas, who claimed to be somebody and gathered about four hundred men, but who was killed and his followers scattered to nothing; and Judas of Galilee, who also drew people after him in the days of the census, but who perished and his followers were dispersed. Drawing his conclusion, Gamaliel counselled, "Keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it, lest you even be found to fight against God."

The council was persuaded. They called the apostles, beat them, commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them. Thus God used Gamaliel's wise and moderate counsel to spare the apostles' lives, so that they continued daily in the temple and in every house teaching and preaching Jesus, and Christianity spread.

(b) Four types of opposition confronting the church today

1. Persecution and violence: attacks on Christians, destruction of churches, and hostility in some societies.
2. False teaching and heresy: cults, false prophets, and distortions of the gospel that mislead believers.
3. Secularism, materialism and immorality: worldly values, love of money, and moral decay that draw people away from faith.
4. Government or legal restrictions and hostile ideologies: anti-religious laws, atheism and other ideologies that oppose or limit Christian worship and evangelism; internal division and denominational rivalry also weaken the church.