WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 2001

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Peter described Christians as a chosen race of God because they declared God's wonderful deeds in their lives. Peter referred to Christians as "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession" (1 Peter 2:9) because he believed that they had been chosen by God to declare His wonderful deeds to others. In other words, Christians had been called to be witnesses of God's grace and mercy in their lives, and to share this message with others.

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Saul, later known as Paul, learnt several lessons from his experience on the road to Damascus, which included the fact that persecuting the church meant persecuting the Lord, and that his confidence in Judaism was misplaced. Additionally, he also learned that he was specially chosen to preach to the Gentiles. However, he did not learn that he would successfully promote his own will. In fact, his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus transformed his life and mission, causing him to abandon his former way of life and follow Christ wholeheartedly. As a result, he became one of the greatest apostles of the early church and played a significant role in spreading the gospel throughout the Mediterranean world.

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In the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel, the sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests who were entrusted with offering sacrifices to the Lord. However, they were condemned for treating the Lord's offering with contempt by demanding raw meat from the people who came to offer sacrifices. This was not only disrespectful to God, but also violated the customs and regulations of offering sacrifices. As a result, they were judged by God and punished for their disobedience.

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God blessed and hallowed the seventh day because He rested from all His work of creation. After six days of creating the universe, God rested on the seventh day, not because He was tired, but to set an example for humanity. By resting on the seventh day, God established the pattern of a weekly cycle of six days of work followed by one day of rest, which became the basis for the

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Paul was confident that Philemon would grant his major request because they were partners in the faith of Christ. Paul had confidence in the faith of Philemon and their shared commitment to the gospel. He believed that this common bond would motivate Philemon to grant his request, which was related to a slave named Onesimus.

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The appearance of Moses and Elijah during the Transfiguration was to confirm their legal and prophetic roles. They represented the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament, respectively. Their appearance was a sign that Jesus was the fulfillment of these scriptures and that he was the long-awaited Messiah. This event was also a way for God to show his approval of Jesus and to prepare him for his upcoming crucifixion and resurrection. It was not to congratulate Jesus on the success of his ministry or to assure him of victory over his enemies, nor was it for Moses and Elijah to settle down with Jesus in glory.

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Moses made this statement when the Israelites were trapped between the host of Egypt and the Red Sea. The statement was meant to encourage the Israelites to trust in God's ability to deliver them from the hands of the Egyptians.

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In his Epistle to the Philippians, Paul gives the example of Jesus taking the form of a servant as an example of humility. He urges the Philippians to have the same mindset of humility as Christ, who, despite being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but instead took on the form of a servant and humbled himself even to the point of death on a cross.

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The story of Ananias and Sapphira is a demonstration of the early church's stance against the sin of hypocrisy and greed. Ananias and Sapphira, members of the church in Jerusalem, sold a piece of property but kept back some of the proceeds for themselves while pretending to give the full amount to the apostles. When Peter confronted them about their deceit, they both fell down dead. This story serves as a warning against hypocrisy and greed, and emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in the Christian faith.

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Peter instructs church Elders to tend the flock of God faithfully as they are witnesses of the sufferings of Christ. This means that they should take care of the congregation and do so with a sense of duty and responsibility, rather than for personal gain or with a domineering spirit. The Elders should also be mindful of the example of Christ, who suffered for the sake of others, and be willing to serve the congregation sacrificially. By doing so, they demonstrate a Christ-like attitude and bring glory to God.

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The last sign of Jesus, as recorded by John, was the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This event is recorded in John chapter 11 and is significant because it shows Jesus' power over death and foreshadows his own resurrection.

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When Jesus healed the paralytic, the Scribes accused him of blasphemy. In Mark 2:7, the Scribes questioned how Jesus could forgive sins, stating that only God has the power to do so. They saw Jesus' claim to forgive sins as a violation of God's authority and considered it blasphemy, a serious offense. Jesus then demonstrated his authority to forgive sins by performing a physical healing on the paralytic man, proving that he was indeed sent by God.

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According to St. Mark, Mary Magdalene and the other women went to the tomb, but they did not see Jesus of Nazareth.

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The name for Tabitha who was raised from the dead is Dorcas. In the Bible, specifically in the book of Acts 9:36-43, there was a woman named Dorcas who lived in Joppa and was known for her good deeds and acts of charity towards the poor. However, she became sick and died. The disciples of Jesus were called and when they arrived, they prayed for her and she was brought back to life. Dorcas is also known by her Greek name "Tabitha," which means "gazelle."

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Paul told the Philippians that by contributing their resources to the work of God, God would supply all their physical and spiritual needs. This means that when they give to God, they will not lack anything they need in life. God will bless them with all that they need, both materially and spiritually, because they have given to support His work. This is a promise of provision and blessing from God to those who give to support His work.

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David committed sins of adultery and murder. He committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, and when he discovered that she was pregnant, he arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle. This displeased God, and Nathan the prophet rebuked David for his actions. David eventually repented and turned back to God, but his actions had consequences for his family and his kingdom.

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According to James, religion that is pure and undefiled before God is shown by loving the needy and having purity of life. This means that true religion is not just about religious activities like reading the Bible or preaching the word of God, but also about how one treats others and lives a morally upright life. It is about showing love to those in need and living a life that is pleasing to God, not just being religious for the sake of it.

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In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul advised them to be sober and maintain their hope of salvation, but also to disregard all speculations about the date of the parousia (second coming of Christ). He emphasized that the exact date will be announced later by God, and in the meantime, they should enjoy peace and security in the face of danger. Essentially, he encouraged them to focus on living their lives in a way that honors God and to trust in His timing for the return of Christ.

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The rain which fell after the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal shows the vindication of Yahweh as the true God. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest to see whose God would answer by fire. Despite the prophets of Baal's desperate pleas, their God did not answer, but Yahweh did when Elijah called upon Him. Afterward, rain fell on the parched land, demonstrating that Yahweh had power over nature and was the true God. This event was a significant moment of triumph for the God of Israel and Elijah as His prophet.

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Paul considered himself unfit to be called an apostle because he persecuted the church of God. Before his conversion, Paul was known as Saul and he was a persecutor of the early Christian church. He was responsible for the arrest and persecution of many Christians, and even approved the stoning of Stephen, one of the early Christian leaders. After his conversion, Paul became one of the most influential figures in the early Christian church, but he never forgot the fact that he had persecuted the church and considered himself unworthy of his position as an apostle.

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The miracles of Jesus recorded in John's Gospel are called "signs of Jesus". They are called "signs" because they are not just displays of supernatural power, but they also point to a greater truth about Jesus and his mission. Each sign in John's Gospel reveals something about Jesus' identity and the nature of his ministry. For example, the turning of water into wine at the wedding in Cana was Jesus' first sign, which revealed his divine power and his role as the provider of spiritual abundance.

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In the story of the stilling of the storm, Jesus rebuked the sea and the wind. According to the story in the Bible, a great storm arose while Jesus and his disciples were on a boat, and the disciples became afraid. However, Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves, and the sea became calm. This demonstrated Jesus' power and authority over nature.

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The two men involved here are Adam and Jesus Christ. The quote is a reference to a biblical passage in the New Testament of the Christian Bible (Romans 5:18). The verse explains how through Adam's disobedience, sin and condemnation came to all humanity, but through Jesus Christ's righteousness and obedience to God, salvation and life are made available to all who believe in him.

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The name Moses means "drawn out of water." It is of Hebrew origin and was given to him by the daughter of Pharaoh who found him floating in a basket on the Nile river. Moses went on to become one of the most important figures in Jewish history and played a central role in the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

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According to Christian belief, during the second coming of Jesus, surviving Christians will join the happy throng to meet Him in the clouds. The Bible teaches that Jesus will return to the earth in the same way that He ascended into heaven, with His followers seeing Him and being taken up to meet Him in the air. This event is commonly known as the Rapture, and it is believed to be a time of great joy and reunion for believers who are still alive. After the Rapture, those who have died in Christ will also be resurrected and reunited with their loved ones. The Bible does not specifically mention Christians fighting against the antichrist during the second coming.

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The arrest of Jesus by his enemies was a fulfillment of the scriptures. In the Bible, it was prophesied that the Messiah would suffer, be betrayed, and handed over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified. Jesus knew that his time had come and he willingly submitted himself to the will of God, even though it meant going through the painful and humiliating process of arrest, trial, and crucifixion. Therefore, his arrest was not an accident or a result of his stubbornness, but rather a necessary step in God's plan for the redemption of mankind. The purpose was not to force him to perform a miracle, but to bring about the salvation of all who believe in him.

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In this context, Satan was tempting Jesus in the wilderness and trying to convince him to test God's protection by jumping off the pinnacle of the temple. Satan suggested that if Jesus threw himself down, God would send his angels to protect him and prevent him from getting hurt. Thus, Satan was twisting the scripture to trick Jesus into testing God's protection.

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Jesus cured the paralytic man in the city of Capernaum. According to the Gospel of Mark (2:1-12), Jesus was teaching in a house in Capernaum, and a large crowd gathered around him. Four men brought a paralyzed man to Jesus, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. So, they made a hole in the roof and lowered the man down to Jesus. Jesus saw their faith and told the paralytic to stand up, take his mat, and go home. The man was healed and he got up and walked out in full view of them all.

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When Paul admonished Christians to set their minds on things that are above, he was encouraging them to focus on the will and purposes of God. In other words, he wanted them to concentrate on the things that are eternal and not just the things of this world. This includes focusing on spiritual matters such as the imminent coming of our Lord, rather than just worldly necessities or things they dream about. By doing this, Christians can stay connected to God and live a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

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In the story of the rich man and Lazarus in the Bible, the rich man ignored the needs of Lazarus, a poor man who laid at his gate, and did not offer him any help or compassion. The lack of empathy, concern and care for others in need displayed by the rich man is an indication of his lack of human sympathy. Therefore, the rich man who ignored the needs of Lazarus lacked human sympathy.

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Zerubbabel's response to the pathetic state of the Jews in Judah was to rebuild the temple. After the Babylonian captivity, many Jews returned to Jerusalem and found the city in ruins, including the temple which had been destroyed. Zerubbabel, a descendant of King David, was appointed as governor of Judah and under his leadership, the Jews began rebuilding the temple. The rebuilding of the temple was a significant event for the Jews, as it symbolized the restoration of their relationship with God and the renewal of their faith.

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The delegation from Antioch to the Council of Jerusalem comprised Paul and Barnabas.

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By raising Lazarus to life, Jesus shows his redemptive power to raise man to eternal life. This miracle demonstrated Jesus' authority over death and his ability to give life to the dead. It was a foretaste of his own resurrection, which was to come later. Through this miracle, Jesus gave hope to his followers that death is not the end and that eternal life is possible for those who believe in him.

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In the context of the Bible passage, "sheol" means the region of darkness and death. It refers to the Hebrew concept of the underworld or the place of the dead. Jonah cried to the Lord from the belly of a great fish, where he had been swallowed and trapped, which was symbolic of being in the realm of the dead.

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(a)

After Saul's death, there was war between his house and the house of David. Abner made himself stronger as he retained the leadership of Saul's army. lshboshet later accused Abner of having gone in to his father's concubine (Rizpah). This irked Abner and he asked whether he had become a dog's head as to be insulted on a matter concerning a woman. He openly defied lshboshet by telling him that he would renounce his allegiance to Saul's house and transfer same to David. Ishboshet was too weak to react to Abner's threat for he feared Abner. Abner however, sent messengers to David.

He asked him to enter into a covenant with him and he would hand over all Israel to him. David said he would consider his offer (see his face) if only he should restore his first wife, Michal. Saul's daughter, to him, after he had suffered so much to get her betrothed to him. David even sent the same order td Ishboshet to restore Michal to him and he had no choice but to comply. Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and called upon them to demonstrate their desire to make David king of all Israel (as God had destined it). With a delegation (of twenty men), he went to David in Hebron and David received thew warmly. Abner assured David that he would gather all Israel to enter into a covenant with him to reign over them. With the agreement sealed, David sent Abner away in peace.

(b)

Lessons learnt from the reconciliation between David and Abner are:

(i) David's forgiveness of Abner who had beer waging a protracted war of attrition against him is worthy of emulation.

(ii) In order to make his claim legitimate as king of Israel, David had to reconcile with Michal, Saul's daughter.

(iii) David exercised wisdom by seizing time by the fore-lock; his reconciliation with Abner worked in his favour more than the many apparent victories his army might have registered against Saul's army.

(iv) David's nature was in contrast with Abner's peremptory and unforgiving stance.

(v) Leaders should strive for peace always. 

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