WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 2004

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In the parable of the True Vine, Jesus used the metaphor of a vine and its branches to illustrate the importance of abiding in Him for spiritual growth and fruitfulness. He explained that just as branches cannot bear fruit on their own but must remain connected to the vine to receive sustenance, disciples must remain connected to Him to receive spiritual sustenance. Therefore, the correct option is spiritual sustenance.

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In Colossians, Paul advised fathers not to provoke their children. This means that fathers should not be too hard on their children, make them angry or discouraged by being unfair or unreasonable in their expectations. Fathers should rather treat their children with love, patience, and kindness, helping them to grow in their faith and character.

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Jeremiah's condemnation of Israel was primarily because they broke their covenant with God and followed Baals. The Israelites turned to idol worship, and this was a major reason for their downfall. They also committed sins such as cultism and harlotry, but their failure to keep the covenant was the main reason for Jeremiah's condemnation.

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After his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus drove the sellers out of the temple. According to the Gospel accounts, Jesus entered the temple and found merchants and money changers conducting business there. He overturned their tables and drove them out, declaring that the temple was to be a house of prayer, not a den of thieves. This action caused controversy among the religious authorities and played a part in their decision to have Jesus arrested and put to death.

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The Love of God for humanity especially for sinners is clearly manifested in the parable of the "Lost Coin". The parable tells the story of a woman who lost a coin and searched for it diligently until she found it. This parable shows how much God loves and values each and every one of us, even when we are lost and have strayed away from Him. It is an illustration of how God rejoices when a sinner repents and turns back to Him. The parable teaches us that no matter how far we have gone from God, He is always searching for us and is ready to welcome us back with open arms.

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David spared Saul's life at Ziph because Saul was the Lord's anointed. According to Jewish belief, Saul was appointed by God as the first king of Israel, and anointed with oil by the prophet Samuel. David, who was anointed by Samuel as Saul's successor, respected the sacredness of the anointing and did not want to harm Saul, despite being pursued by him. David believed that it was not his place to harm the one whom God had anointed.

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The parable of the reckoning of the cost of building a house was used by Jesus to illustrate the statement "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple". In the parable, Jesus talks about a man who sets out to build a tower but first sits down to count the cost to ensure he has enough resources to complete it. Similarly, Jesus calls on his followers to count the cost of discipleship before deciding to follow him. This means being willing to give up everything and endure hardship in order to be his disciple.

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Gehazi was a servant of Elisha, a prophet in the Old Testament. In 2 Kings 5, Gehazi lied to Naaman, a foreigner who had come to Elisha to be healed of leprosy, and asked for money and clothing in return for Elisha's healing. Elisha found out and cursed Gehazi and his descendants with Naaman's leprosy. Therefore, Gehazi was punished with leprosy because of his greed and corruption.

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The statement "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears...." was directed to the priests, leaders, and men of Israel.

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In 1 Peter, the apostle encourages Christians to rejoice in the sharing of Christ's suffering, so that they may also rejoice when his glory is revealed. This means that Christians should not be discouraged or ashamed if they face persecution or hardship for their faith, but rather they should consider it an honor to share in the same kind of suffering that Christ endured. By sharing in Christ's sufferings, Christians can look forward to the day when Christ returns and his glory is fully revealed, at which time they will be able to share in his joy and triumph.

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Deborah was a prophetess and judge in ancient Israel. Her court was located between the cities of Ramah and Bethel, in the hill country of Ephraim. Therefore, the correct answer is "Rahmah to Bethel".

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In prophet Amos' message, the phrase "you who afflict the righteous" implies oppressing the faithful and the diligent. Amos was addressing the wealthy and powerful people of Israel who were taking advantage of the poor and needy. He criticized their injustice and warned of the impending punishment from God. The phrase highlights the oppression and mistreatment of those who are upright and doing what is right, and serves as a warning against such behavior.

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Paul praised the Philippians because they sent him gifts. In his letter to them, Paul expressed his gratitude for their support and partnership in spreading the Gospel. He commended them for their generosity and sacrificial giving, noting that their gifts were a fragrant offering and pleasing sacrifice to God.

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The person who carried out a religious reform in Judah was Josiah. He was one of the kings of Judah who reigned in the late 7th century BCE. During his reign, he initiated religious reforms that aimed at restoring the worship of Yahweh as the sole God of the Israelites. He removed all the foreign gods and their symbols from the temple in Jerusalem and prohibited the worship of them. He also destroyed the shrines and altars of other gods in the cities of Judah. This religious reform was based on the rediscovery of the book of the law during the repair of the temple, which had been neglected for a long time. The book was believed to be the law given to Moses by God. Josiah's religious reforms were significant in shaping the religious practices and beliefs of the Israelites in Judah.

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The question "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there these days?" was asked on the way to Emmaus. This question was asked by two disciples who were walking with Jesus after his resurrection, but they did not recognize him. They were discussing the events that had taken place in Jerusalem, including the crucifixion and the reports of the empty tomb. Jesus then explained to them the scriptures concerning himself, and later, when they broke bread together, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.

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In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, when he referred to Christians as "the salt of the earth," he meant that Christians should make a positive impact on the world by allowing the gospel message to reflect in their lives. This means that they should live exemplary lives that reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians are supposed to be the ones who help to preserve and flavor the earth, just as salt does to food. By living a life of love, kindness, and forgiveness, Christians can make the world a better place and draw others to Christ.

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According to the Gospel of Matthew, after Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane, he was first taken to Caiaphas the high priest.

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According to the Gospel of John, John the Baptist identified Jesus as the Lamb of God by seeing the Spirit of God descending on Jesus like a dove. This happened when John was baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River. John saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and remaining on Jesus, and he declared, "I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God" (John 1:32-34). The imagery of the dove is significant because in Jewish tradition, the dove was a symbol of God's spirit and of peace, and this event signifies the coming of God's spirit upon Jesus.

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Unanswered prayers may be caused by various factors, including sin, unfaithfulness, and greed, but diligence is not a cause of unanswered prayers. In fact, being diligent in prayer and seeking God's will can increase the chances of prayers being answered. Therefore, the correct answer to this question is "diligence."

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The option that was not a result of Saul's sin of disobedience is "Destruction of Jericho". The destruction of Jericho occurred during the conquest of Canaan, which happened before Saul's time as king. Saul's sin of disobedience led to his downfall and ultimately, his death, which is one of the options listed. Additionally, his disobedience resulted in his frequent mental crises, as he was plagued by an evil spirit. Finally, his disobedience also led to the death of his children.

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According to the Mosaic law, the only authority to declare a leper healed was the priest. In ancient Israel, leprosy was considered a highly contagious disease and lepers were ostracized from society. The Mosaic law provided strict regulations for dealing with leprosy, and the priest played a central role in the process of determining whether someone was healed from the disease. Once a person was suspected of having leprosy, he or she would be examined by the priest who would declare them "unclean." If the person was later healed, they would need to present themselves to the priest who would perform a ritual to declare them "clean" and allow them to re-enter society.

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The first four commandments in the Bible are all about our duties to God. They teach us to have no other gods before Him, not to make idols, not to take His name in vain, and to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. These commandments emphasize the importance of putting God first in our lives and worshiping Him alone. They are considered foundational to the Judeo-Christian faith and serve as a guide for believers in their relationship with God.

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In Corinthians, Paul urged Christians to give bountifully and cheerfully. This refers to giving generously and with a positive attitude, not out of obligation or duty, but out of a desire to help and support others. Paul believed that giving was an important part of Christian living and emphasized the importance of doing so in a joyful and willing manner.

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Hosea compared Israel's love for God to a "morning cloud". A morning cloud is a cloud that appears in the sky in the morning but quickly disappears as the day progresses. Hosea used this analogy to describe how Israel's love for God was temporary and superficial, as they would often turn away from Him and worship other gods. Just like a morning cloud, their love for God was fleeting and did not last.

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Joshua's farewell address to the elders of Israel took place at Shechem. Shechem was an important city in ancient Israel located in the hill country of Ephraim, between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. It was the site of several significant events in the Bible, including Abraham's first altar in Canaan, Jacob's well, and the gathering of the Israelites to hear Joshua's farewell address.

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According to St. Paul, "Grace" is a free gift from God for the man of faith. It is an unmerited favor that God bestows upon believers, which they do not deserve and cannot earn. Grace is seen as a central concept in Christianity, representing God's love and mercy towards humanity. It is believed that through God's grace, believers can receive forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation. Grace is therefore a fundamental part of Christian theology, and is viewed as a key element in the relationship between God and humanity.

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According to Paul in Corinthians, the evidence of Jesus' Resurrection was that Christians saw the resurrected Jesus. After his death, Jesus appeared to his disciples, and this was witnessed by many people. Paul also saw the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus, which is his personal testimony. The empty tomb and the testimony of Mary Magdalene were also important in the Resurrection story, but Paul did not mention them as evidence in Corinthians.

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The miracle witnessed during Peter's mission to Joppa was the raising of Dorcas from the dead. According to Acts 9:36-42, Dorcas was a disciple who had died, and the believers in Joppa had prepared her body for burial. Peter was summoned to Joppa, and upon arrival, he prayed over Dorcas's body and told her to arise. Dorcas opened her eyes, sat up, and was presented alive to the believers. The miracle caused many people in Joppa to believe in the Lord.

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James taught that pure religion is a combination of work and faith. In James 1:27, he states that "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James emphasizes the importance of not only believing in God but also living out one's faith through good works, especially by caring for those in need. Thus, pure religion is not just about praying or offering sacrifices, but also about putting one's faith into action through works of compassion and kindness towards others.

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The greatest evidence of God's love for man is that He gave his only begotten son to ensure man's salvation. This is a central belief in Christianity that God so loved the world that he sent his only son to die on the cross to save humanity from sin and death. Christians believe that through faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross, they can have eternal life and be reconciled with God. This act of love is considered the ultimate expression of God's love for humanity.

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In the Beatitudes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the peacemakers" means that those who work for peace and reconciliation among people are blessed and considered as children of God. This is because peacemakers demonstrate the qualities of Christ, who is the Prince of Peace. They seek to promote harmony, healing, and restoration in relationships, families, communities, and nations. By doing so, they reflect the nature of God and contribute to the building of a more just and peaceful world. The phrase concludes with the promise that they will be called the children of God, indicating that their actions align with the will of God and reflect His character.

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During the first missionary journey, Paul was stoned at Lystra. Explanation: During Paul's first missionary journey, he visited the city of Lystra, where he healed a man who had been crippled from birth. The people of Lystra were so amazed by this miracle that they thought Paul and his companion, Barnabas, were gods. They even brought offerings to them. However, when Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel to them, the people turned against them. Some Jews from other cities came and persuaded the people to stone Paul. They dragged him out of the city and left him for dead. But Paul was not dead; he got up and went back into the city. The next day, he and Barnabas left Lystra and continued on their journey.

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The Israelites under Barak defeated the Canaanite troops led by Sisera. This event is recorded in the book of Judges, chapter 4. Deborah, a prophetess, had instructed Barak to gather an army and face the Canaanites led by Sisera. The Israelites, with God's help, defeated the Canaanite army and killed Sisera.

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David committed adultery with Bathsheba. Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah, one of David's trusted soldiers. While Uriah was away at war, David saw Bathsheba bathing on a rooftop and was attracted to her. He sent for her, slept with her, and she became pregnant. David then tried to cover up his sin by bringing Uriah back from the war and encouraging him to go home to his wife. However, Uriah refused to go home and instead slept at the palace gates. David then ordered Uriah to be placed in the front line of battle where he was killed. After Uriah's death, David married Bathsheba.

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Those who made a false report about Daniel were cast into the Lion's den in the end. The false report was made because of their jealousy towards Daniel and his position in the government. They plotted against him and convinced the king to sign a decree that prohibited anyone from making a petition to any god or man other than the king for 30 days. Daniel disobeyed the decree and continued to pray to God. As a result, he was thrown into the Lion's den. However, God protected him and he was unharmed. The ones who made the false report were then thrown into the Lion's den themselves, and were killed by the lions. This showed that God is a just God who protects those who are faithful to Him and punishes those who seek to harm His people.

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The purpose of grace is to justify the sinner. Grace is the unmerited favor of God that offers forgiveness and salvation to humanity. Through grace, a sinner can be reconciled to God and receive salvation, even though they do not deserve it. Grace does not cancel or enforce the law, but it is given to encourage the sinner to turn away from sin and towards God.

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The snatching of Naboth's vineyard by Ahab and Jezebel amounted to murder and covetousness. According to the Bible, Ahab, the king of Israel, wanted to acquire Naboth's vineyard which was near his palace, but Naboth refused to sell it as it was his ancestral property. Ahab's wife Jezebel then hatched a plot and falsely accused Naboth of cursing God and the king, leading to his stoning to death. This allowed Ahab to seize Naboth's vineyard. Thus, this act involved the sin of covetousness, as Ahab and Jezebel coveted Naboth's property and committed murder by falsely accusing and killing him.

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After Jesus had cast out the evil spirit from the demoniac, the people pleaded with Jesus to leave their town.

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The Israelites rejected the rule of Samuel's sons because they took bribe and perverted justice. Samuel, the last judge of Israel, appointed his sons as judges over Israel, but they were corrupt and took bribes, causing the people to lose trust in them. The elders of Israel came to Samuel and requested a king to rule over them instead of his sons. Samuel warned the people of the potential abuses of power by a king, but they insisted, and Saul was later anointed as the first king of Israel.

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After Jesus had cast out the evil spirit from the demoniac, the people pleaded with Jesus to leave their town. This is recorded in Mark 5:17-18, where the people of the region of the Gerasenes, who had witnessed the miracle of the demoniac being healed, were overcome with fear and asked Jesus to leave their region. The reason for their fear may have been because they had never seen such a powerful display of divine power before and did not fully understand who Jesus was.

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In the New Testament, Paul teaches that when we accept Christ, we become new creatures and our old sinful nature is replaced with a new life in Christ. This new life is bound up with Christ, and as such, we become heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. This means that just as Christ rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of God, we too will share in his future manifestation and glory. Our new life in Christ also means that we are no longer subject to the elemental spirits of the world and are free from the bondage of sin.

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Peter advised Christians living among non-Christians to live exemplary lives. This means that they should be good examples of the Christian faith by living according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. They should be honest, kind, and respectful to others, even if they are not Christians. By doing so, they would be showing the love of Christ to those around them and may even be able to influence others to become Christians.

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When the people of Israel lacked water in the wilderness, they reacted by blaming Moses for their plight. The Israelites became very thirsty and grumbled against Moses, accusing him of bringing them out of Egypt to die of thirst in the wilderness. Moses, in turn, cried out to God, and God provided water for the Israelites by having Moses strike a rock with his staff, which caused water to flow out of the rock.

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When Jesus referred to Lazarus as "fallen asleep," he meant that Lazarus had passed away or died. This was a common metaphor used in biblical times to describe death, as sleep is seen as a temporary state that one can eventually wake up from, just as death is seen as a temporary state that one can eventually be resurrected from. Jesus used this metaphor to prepare his disciples and others for the miracle he was about to perform, raising Lazarus from the dead.

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(a) How Jesus described himself as the 'Door' and the 'Good Shepherd' (John 10:1-18).

As the Door.

1. Jesus said that he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way is a thief and a robber, but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
2. He plainly declared, "I am the door of the sheep."
3. He said that all who came before Him were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not heed them.
4. He stated, "I am the door; if anyone enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."
5. He contrasted Himself with the thief, who comes only to steal, kill and destroy, saying that He came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

As the Good Shepherd.

1. Jesus declared, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
2. He contrasted the good shepherd with the hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep; when he sees the wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches and scatters them, because he cares nothing for the sheep.
3. He said, "I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father."
4. He said He had other sheep that were not of this fold; He must bring them also, and they would listen to His voice, so that there would be one flock, one shepherd.
5. He explained that the Father loved Him because He laid down His life that He might take it again. No one took it from Him, but He laid it down of His own accord; He had power to lay it down and power to take it again, a charge He received from His Father.

(b) Two ways this teaching is relevant to Christians.

1. It assures Christians that Jesus is the only way to salvation and eternal life; whoever enters through Him is saved and cared for.
2. It teaches that Jesus loves and protects His followers even to the point of laying down His life, so Christians can trust Him fully and follow His voice.
3. It calls Christian leaders to be like the good shepherd, caring sacrificially for those under them rather than serving selfishly like the hired hand.

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(a) Paul's advice on the right attitude to civil authority (Romans 13:1-7).

1. Paul taught that every person must be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
2. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
3. He explained that rulers are not a terror to good conduct but to bad. Whoever wishes to have no fear of the authority should do what is good, and he will receive its approval.
4. He described the ruler as God's servant for the citizen's good. But if one does wrong, he should be afraid, for the ruler does not bear the sword in vain; he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.
5. Paul therefore urged that one must be subject, not only to avoid God's wrath (punishment) but also for the sake of conscience.
6. For the same reason, he said, they should pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
7. He concluded that they should pay all what is owed: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, and honour to whom honour is due.

(b) Three ways in which a Christian can demonstrate the qualities of a good citizen.

1. By obeying the laws of the land and constituted authority.
2. By paying taxes, rates and other lawful dues promptly and honestly.
3. By respecting and honouring leaders and public officials.
4. By living peacefully, doing good and avoiding crime and violence.
5. By praying for the leaders and contributing to the development and welfare of the community.

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(a) How Ezekiel was commissioned as a prophet (Ezekiel 1-3).

1. While Ezekiel was among the exiles by the river Chebar in the land of the Chaldeans, the heavens were opened and he saw visions of God.
2. He saw a stormy wind coming out of the north, a great cloud with brightness around it and fire flashing forth, and out of its midst the likeness of four living creatures, each having four faces and four wings, with the faces of a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle.
3. Beside the living creatures he saw wheels within wheels, whose rims were full of eyes, and the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
4. Above the creatures was the likeness of a firmament, and above it the likeness of a throne, and on it a likeness with the appearance of a man, surrounded by brightness like a rainbow. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When Ezekiel saw it, he fell on his face.
5. Then he heard a voice speaking. God addressed him as "Son of man" and told him to stand on his feet, and the Spirit entered him and set him on his feet.
6. God sent him to the people of Israel, a rebellious nation that had rebelled against Him, an impudent and stubborn people, and told him to say to them, "Thus says the Lord God," whether they heard or refused to hear.
7. God told him not to be afraid of them or of their words, though briers, thorns and scorpions were around him, and not to be dismayed at their looks.
8. He was given a scroll written on the front and the back with words of lamentation, mourning and woe, and was commanded to eat it. When he ate it, it was in his mouth as sweet as honey.
9. God then sent him to the house of Israel to speak His words, and warned him that he had been made a watchman for the house of Israel: if he failed to warn the wicked, their blood would be required at his hand, but if he warned them, he would deliver his own soul.
10. The Spirit lifted him up and took him to the exiles at Tel-abib, where he sat overwhelmed among them for seven days.

(b) Two lessons that can be derived from his experiences.

1. A servant of God must be courageous and faithful in delivering God's message even to a hostile and rebellious audience.
2. God equips those He calls: the Spirit strengthened Ezekiel and God gave him the words to speak.
3. Ministers of God bear responsibility as watchmen to warn people of danger, and are accountable for faithfully passing on God's message.

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(a) The circumstances that led to the rejection of Saul as king over Israel (1 Samuel 15).

1. Samuel came to Saul with a command from the Lord: because of what Amalek did to Israel when they came up out of Egypt, Saul was to go and utterly destroy the Amalekites and all that they had, sparing nothing, killing man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.
2. Saul gathered the people and defeated the Amalekites. He also warned the Kenites to depart from among them so that they would not be destroyed with the Amalekites.
3. However, Saul and the people spared Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and they spared the best of the sheep, oxen, fatlings, lambs and all that was good; only what was despised and worthless did they utterly destroy.
4. The word of the Lord came to Samuel, saying that He repented of having made Saul king, because Saul had turned back from following Him and had not performed His commands. Samuel was grieved and cried to the Lord all night.
5. When Samuel met Saul, Saul claimed he had performed the commandment of the Lord. But Samuel asked, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?"
6. Saul blamed the people, saying they had spared the best of the sheep and oxen to sacrifice to the Lord, but that they had utterly destroyed the rest.
7. Samuel rebuked him, declaring that to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams, for rebellion is as the sin of divination, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
8. Because Saul had rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord had rejected him from being king.
9. Saul confessed that he had sinned because he feared the people and obeyed their voice, and he begged Samuel to pardon him and return with him.
10. Samuel refused, repeating that the Lord had rejected him. As Samuel turned to go, Saul seized the hem of his robe and it tore; Samuel said the Lord had torn the kingdom of Israel from Saul and given it to a neighbour better than he. Samuel then called for Agag and hewed him in pieces before the Lord, and he did not see Saul again until his death.

(b) Three lessons that can be learnt from this rejection.

1. Obedience to God is better than sacrifice: God values complete obedience over religious offerings.
2. Partial obedience is disobedience: Saul's incomplete execution of the command amounted to rebellion.
3. Leaders should not yield to popular pressure to disobey God: Saul's fear of the people led to his downfall.
4. Disobedience carries serious consequences: Saul lost the kingdom because he despised God's word.
5. Making excuses and shifting blame does not remove guilt.

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(a) The Lukan account of the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-20).

1. In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled (registered). This was the first enrolment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
2. All went to be enrolled, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David.
3. He went to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
4. While they were there, the time came for her to be delivered, and she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
5. In the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
6. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.
7. The angel said, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord."
8. The angel gave them a sign: they would find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.
9. Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased."
10. When the angels went away, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened." They went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the manger.
11. When they had seen it, they made known the saying concerning the child, and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.
12. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

(b) Two lessons that can be learnt from the circumstances of Jesus' birth.

1. God exalts the humble: the Saviour was born in a lowly manger and revealed first to poor shepherds, showing that God does not despise the lowly.
2. Jesus is the Saviour of all people: the good news of great joy was for all people, not for one class or nation.
3. Obedience and faith bring blessing: Joseph and Mary obeyed the decree and God's will, and the shepherds responded promptly to the message.

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How James proved that 'faith apart from works is dead' (James 2:14-26).

1. James began by posing the question: what does it profit if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can that faith save him? The rhetorical question implies that such faith is worthless.
2. He gave a practical illustration. If a brother or sister is ill-clad and lacks daily food, and one of them says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, it profits nothing. Empty words without action do not help.
3. From this he drew the conclusion: so faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
4. He then answered an imagined objector who says, "You have faith and I have works." James challenged, "Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith." Faith is invisible unless it is expressed in deeds.
5. He pointed out that even the demons believe that God is one, and they shudder. Mere intellectual belief, which even demons possess, cannot save; it must be accompanied by obedience and action.
6. He gave the example of Abraham, the father of the faithful, who was justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar. His faith was active along with his works, and his faith was completed (perfected) by his works. Thus the Scripture, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," was fulfilled, and he was called the friend of God.
7. He concluded from this example that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
8. He gave a second example: Rahab the harlot was also justified by works when she received the messengers (spies) and sent them out by another way, protecting them at great risk.
9. Finally, he sealed the argument with a comparison: as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead. Just as a lifeless body has no breath, so a faith that produces no good deeds has no life in it.

By these illustrations, examples and the closing analogy, James established that genuine, saving faith must always be accompanied by, and demonstrated through, good works.

Bayanin Amsa

(a) James' message on effective prayer (James 5:13-18; 1:5-8; 4:2-3).

1. James taught that prayer is fitting for every condition: whoever is suffering should pray, and whoever is cheerful should sing praise to God.
2. Concerning the sick, he said the person should call the elders of the church, who would pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
3. He gave the assurance that the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
4. He urged believers to confess their sins to one another and pray for one another, so that they may be healed.
5. He affirmed that the prayer of a righteous person has great power in its effects; it is powerful and effective.
6. He cited Elijah, a man with a nature like ours, who prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it did not rain for three years and six months; then he prayed again and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its fruit. This showed that fervent, believing prayer produces results.
7. He taught that whoever lacks wisdom should ask God, who gives generously without reproach, and it will be given him.
8. But he insisted that one must ask in faith, with no doubting, for the doubter is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind, and such a double-minded person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
9. He warned that people do not have because they do not ask, and when they ask amiss, to spend it on their own pleasures, they do not receive.

(b) Three factors that can hinder prayer.

1. Doubt and lack of faith: the double-minded person who wavers does not receive from God.
2. Wrong or selfish motives: asking to gratify one's own passions and pleasures.
3. Unconfessed sin and unrighteous living: sin separates a person from God and hinders answers.
4. Unforgiveness and broken relationships with others.
5. Pride and self-reliance instead of humble dependence on God.

Bayanin Amsa

(a) Paul's teaching on the dignity of labour, in Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13).

1. Paul urged the Thessalonians to aspire to live quietly, to mind their own affairs, and to work with their own hands, as he had charged them.
2. He said this was so that they might command the respect of outsiders and be dependent on nobody.
3. He commanded them, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who was living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition they had received from him.
4. He reminded them that they knew how they ought to imitate him and his companions, for they were not idle when they were with them.
5. He pointed out that he and his fellow workers did not eat anyone's bread without paying, but with toil and labour they worked night and day, so as not to be a burden to any of them.
6. He explained that this was not because he had no right to support, but to give them an example to imitate.
7. He recalled the rule he had given while with them: if anyone will not work, let him not eat.
8. He rebuked those who were living in idleness, not busy at work but busybodies (meddling in the affairs of others).
9. He commanded and exhorted such persons, in the Lord Jesus Christ, to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
10. He encouraged the rest, saying that they should not grow weary in doing what is right.

(b) Three ways the church upholds the teaching today.

1. By teaching and preaching against idleness and encouraging members to engage in honest, productive work.
2. By establishing vocational and skills-acquisition centres to train members and youths in trades and crafts.
3. By setting up schools, farms, hospitals, printing presses and other enterprises that provide employment and useful service.
4. By showing charity to the genuinely needy while discouraging laziness and begging.

Bayanin Amsa

(a) The circumstances that led to the death of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11).

1. In the early church, the believers were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. Those who owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds to the apostles, who distributed to each as any had need. Joseph, called Barnabas, was one such example, selling a field and laying the money at the apostles' feet.
2. But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property.
3. With his wife's knowledge, Ananias kept back for himself part of the proceeds and brought only a part, laying it at the apostles' feet as though it were the whole amount.
4. Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land?"
5. Peter pointed out that while it remained unsold, it was his own, and after it was sold, it was still at his disposal; he was under no compulsion to give all. Ananias had not lied to men but to God.
6. When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died, and great fear came upon all who heard of it.
7. The young men rose, wrapped him up, carried him out and buried him.
8. About three hours later his wife Sapphira came in, not knowing what had happened.
9. Peter asked her whether they had sold the land for so much, and she said, "Yes, for so much."
10. Peter said, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out."
11. Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. The young men came in, found her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

(b) Two lessons that could be drawn from this incident.

1. God hates hypocrisy and deceit: lying to God and pretending to be more generous or holy than one really is invites judgment.
2. God sees the heart and cannot be deceived: the couple lied to men but were in fact lying to the Holy Spirit.
3. Sin has serious consequences; the fear that came upon the church shows that God's holiness must be reverenced.
4. Giving to God should be sincere and voluntary, not for show or self-glory.

Bayanin Amsa

(a) An account of the capture of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27).

1. Jericho was tightly shut up because of the children of Israel; no one went out and no one came in.
2. The Lord said to Joshua that He had given Jericho, its king and its mighty men of valour into his hand.
3. God gave detailed instructions: the armed men were to march around the city once a day for six days, with seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark.
4. On the seventh day they were to march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.
5. When they made a long blast with the ram's horn and the people heard the sound of the trumpet, all the people were to shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city would fall down flat, so that the people could go up, every man straight before him.
6. Joshua carried out the instructions. The armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets, and the ark of the covenant followed; the rearguard came after the ark, while the trumpets sounded continually.
7. Joshua commanded the people not to shout or let their voices be heard until the day he told them to shout.
8. For six days they marched around the city once each day and returned to the camp.
9. On the seventh day they rose early at the dawn of day and marched around the city seven times in the same manner.
10. The seventh time, when the priests blew the trumpets, Joshua commanded the people to shout, for the Lord had given them the city. He declared that the city and all in it should be devoted to destruction, but Rahab the harlot and all with her in her house should live because she had hidden the messengers; and the people were warned to keep away from the devoted things.
11. So the people shouted when the trumpets sounded, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
12. They utterly destroyed all in the city, both man and woman, young and old, ox, sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword. They burned the city with fire, but the silver, gold, bronze and iron were put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. Rahab and her household were spared, and Joshua's fame spread throughout the land.

(b) Three lessons that can be drawn from the incident.

1. Obedience to God brings victory: Israel triumphed by following God's instructions exactly.
2. Faith in God overcomes impossible obstacles: the walls fell not by human might but by God's power.
3. God rewards those who help His people: Rahab and her family were spared for hiding the spies.
4. Patience and discipline are essential: the people had to march quietly for seven days before the victory came.

Bayanin Amsa

(a) How Josiah reacted to the contents of the Book of the Law found in the house of the Lord by Hilkiah (2 Kings 22:8-20; 23:1-3).

1. When Hilkiah the high priest found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord and gave it to Shaphan the secretary, Shaphan read it before King Josiah.
2. When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes as a sign of grief and repentance.
3. He commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan and Asaiah to go and inquire of the Lord for him, for the people and for all Judah concerning the words of the book, because he perceived that God's wrath was kindled against them, since their fathers had not obeyed the words of the book.
4. These men went to Huldah the prophetess, who dwelt in Jerusalem, and inquired of her.
5. Huldah delivered God's message: that God would indeed bring disaster upon that place and its inhabitants, according to all the curses of the book, because they had forsaken Him and burned incense to other gods.
6. But because Josiah's heart was tender and he had humbled himself before the Lord and wept, God would gather him to his fathers in peace, and his eyes would not see all the disaster God would bring on the place.
7. The king then gathered all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem, went up to the house of the Lord with all the people, small and great, and read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant.
8. The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord and keep His commandments, testimonies and statutes with all his heart and soul, and to perform the words of the covenant; and all the people joined in the covenant.

(b) Four of Josiah's reforms (2 Kings 23).

1. He removed from the temple all the vessels made for Baal, Asherah and the host of heaven, and burned them outside Jerusalem, carrying their ashes to Bethel.
2. He deposed the idolatrous priests and put away those who burned incense to Baal, the sun, moon and constellations.
3. He broke down the houses of the male cult prostitutes and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense.
4. He defiled Topheth in the Valley of the Sons of Hinnom so that no one might burn his son or daughter as an offering to Molech.
5. He removed the horses and chariots dedicated to the sun, and destroyed the altars made by Ahaz and Manasseh.
6. He defiled and pulled down the altar and high place at Bethel that Jeroboam had made, and burned the bones of the idolatrous priests on it, fulfilling the word of God.
7. He put away the mediums, the wizards, the household gods and idols, and commanded the people to keep the Passover to the Lord as written in the Book of the Covenant, a Passover such as had not been kept since the days of the judges.

Bayanin Amsa

(a) Jesus' Sermon on the Mount under the given headings (Matthew 5:21-48).

(i) Adultery and divorce.

1. Jesus said that the ancients were told, "You shall not commit adultery." But He deepened the command, teaching that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
2. He stressed the seriousness of sin: if the right eye causes one to sin, it is better to pluck it out and throw it away; and if the right hand causes one to sin, it is better to cut it off, for it is better to lose one member than for the whole body to be thrown into hell. This was a call to radical self-discipline.
3. On divorce, He said it was formerly commanded that whoever divorces his wife should give her a certificate of divorce. But Jesus taught that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity (marital unfaithfulness), makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. He thus upheld the sanctity and permanence of marriage.

(ii) Neighbours and enemies.

1. Jesus recalled the saying, "You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy."
2. But He taught, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
3. He gave the reason: that they may be sons of their Father in heaven, who makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
4. He argued that if they loved only those who loved them, they had no reward, for even the tax collectors do the same; and if they greeted only their brothers, they did no more than the Gentiles.
5. He concluded, "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect," calling for a love that goes beyond natural affection to embrace even one's enemies.

(b) Two lessons that can be derived from Jesus' teaching on adultery and divorce.

1. Sin begins in the heart and mind, so Christians must guard their thoughts and desires, not merely their outward actions.
2. Marriage is sacred and permanent, and should not be broken carelessly; faithfulness between husband and wife must be maintained.
3. Christians must exercise strict self-control and be willing to give up whatever leads them into sin.