JAMB UTME - Christian Religious Studies - 1999

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According to the Gospel of John, the six stone jars of water which Jesus turned into wine were kept for the Jewish rites of purification. In Jewish tradition, people would use water to purify themselves before eating or drinking, especially at a wedding where ritual purity was important. The jars were likely used to store water for the guests to wash their hands and feet before the wedding feast. When the wine ran out, Jesus instructed the servants to fill the jars with water and miraculously turned it into wine, revealing his divine power and providing an abundance of wine for the wedding celebration.

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In the book of Hosea, the prophet compared Judah's love for the Lord to the morning cloud because it goes away early like the dew. Just as the morning cloud disappears quickly with the rising of the sun, Judah's love for God was temporary and short-lived. Hosea was warning the people that their love for God should not be superficial or temporary, but rather should be genuine and enduring.

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God told Noah that ''Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed;...'' because man is made in God's image. This means that human life is sacred and should be valued and protected. God created man in his own image, and therefore, taking another human life is an affront to God himself. The statement is a commandment given to Noah and his descendants to establish the sanctity of human life and to discourage the practice of murder. The punishment for those who take another human life is also stated in the statement, which is that their own life shall be taken.

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Deborah was a judge during a time when Israel was under the yoke of Canaan. According to the book of Judges in the Bible, the Israelites were oppressed by the Canaanites for 20 years. Deborah was raised up by God as a judge and prophetess to lead the Israelites in battle against the Canaanites. With the help of Barak, a military leader, they were able to defeat the Canaanite army and bring peace to the land for 40 years.

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James in his Epistle urged the brethren to count their trials all joy because the testing of their faith produces steadfastness. In other words, James was telling the believers that when they face trials and tribulations, they should consider it a joyous occasion because these trials will help them develop steadfastness, which is the ability to remain committed and unshaken in their faith no matter the circumstances. James believed that trials produce perseverance, which ultimately leads to spiritual maturity and completeness.

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According to James, whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. This means that even if someone keeps most of the commandments but breaks just one, they are still guilty of breaking the entire law. James is emphasizing the importance of obedience and that one sin can have serious consequences, which is why it's crucial to strive for obedience to God's commands. Asking for forgiveness is important, but James is reminding us that we should also strive for obedience to avoid sinning in the first place.

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Acts 6:1-4
1. At the time, the number of the disciples was greatly increasing. A complaint arose from the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews because the Grecian widows were being neglected in the daily ministry.
2. The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, 'It's not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.
3. Therefore brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom.
4. Then we can appoint those men over this business, and we apostles will continue to devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.'

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When Joseph narrated his second dream, he was rebuked by Jacob because the dream would subject his parents to his authority. In the dream, Joseph saw the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowing down to him, which represented his father, mother, and brothers. This caused Jacob to rebuke Joseph, as it seemed like Joseph was claiming to have authority over his own parents, which was disrespectful and inappropriate.

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When Peter saw the great shoal of fish he and his partners caught, he was overwhelmed and fell at Jesus' knees, confessing his sinfulness and unworthiness to be in Jesus' presence. This is recorded in Luke 5:8, where Peter says, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." So, the correct answer is "he confessed being a sinner."

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The sound which came from heaven on the day of Pentecost is likened to that of a "mighty wind". This is recorded in Acts 2:2, where it says "Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting." The sound was significant because it marked the arrival of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus, empowering them to speak in different languages and proclaim the gospel to the crowd gathered in Jerusalem. The comparison to a mighty wind suggests the power and force of the Holy Spirit's arrival, as well as its unpredictability and uncontrollable nature, much like a strong wind.

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According to Paul in the Bible, speaking in tongues is meaningful where there is one with the gift of interpretation. In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul discusses the use of spiritual gifts in worship, including the gift of speaking in tongues. He explains that while speaking in tongues can be a powerful tool for personal prayer and communication with God, it is not useful for public worship unless there is someone present who can interpret what is being said. Without interpretation, Paul says that speaking in tongues is unintelligible and therefore unedifying for the congregation. So, in summary, according to Paul, speaking in tongues is meaningful where there is someone present with the gift of interpretation.

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The Bible passage referenced in this question is 1 Peter 2:15, which reads: "For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people." Therefore, according to Peter, Christians should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men by doing good, which can involve actions such as helping others, being honest, and showing kindness. While preaching the resurrection, being humble, and praying daily are important aspects of the Christian faith, Peter specifically highlights doing good as a means of demonstrating the power of God's grace and love to the world.

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The major issues of controversy that led to the appearance of Paul and Barnabas before the Council in Jerusalem were circumcision and the Law of Moses. Some Jewish Christians believed that Gentile Christians should be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses, while Paul and Barnabas believed that faith in Jesus Christ was enough for salvation and that Gentiles did not need to follow the Jewish customs of circumcision and the Law of Moses. The Council in Jerusalem was called to address this controversy and to come to a decision on whether Gentile Christians needed to be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses. Ultimately, the Council agreed with Paul and Barnabas and decided that Gentile Christians did not need to follow the Law of Moses or be circumcised in order to be saved.

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The inscription over Jesus when he was crucified, according to Matthew, was ''This is Jesus the King of the Jews''.

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According to the Gospel of Matthew, the first thing Jesus did in the feeding of the five thousand was to order the loaves and fish brought to him. After this, he broke the loaves and fish, gave thanks to God, and had the disciples distribute the food to the crowd.

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The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at Gibeon. This is recorded in the Old Testament book of 1 Kings 3:5-15. Solomon asked God for wisdom to govern the people of Israel, and God granted his request, pleased with his humble and selfless request.

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According to Galatians, what makes all believers sons of God is faith in Christ Jesus. In Galatians 3:26, it says, "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus." This means that it is not the law or our own efforts that make us sons of God, but it is our faith in Jesus Christ. Through our faith in Him, we become children of God and receive the inheritance that He has promised us.

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The statement "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth" indicates that Jesus does not want Christians to prioritize the accumulation of material possessions in this world. He wants believers to understand that earthly treasures are temporary and can be destroyed, stolen or lost, and instead encourages them to focus on accumulating heavenly treasures that will last for eternity. Therefore, seeking first the kingdom of God is the main message conveyed in this statement.

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After their rescue from Babylon, God promised the Israelites a new covenant and a new spirit to make them fear Him forever. This promise was given through the prophet Jeremiah, who told the Israelites that God would write His laws on their hearts and forgive their sins. This new covenant would be different from the old one, which the Israelites had broken. God promised that He would be their God, and they would be His people, and they would no longer need to teach one another to know Him, for they would all know Him, from the least to the greatest. Through this new covenant, God would give them a new spirit, one that would help them to keep His commands and follow His ways.

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In Romans 12:8, Paul urges those who have the gift of showing mercy to do so with cheerfulness. This means that those who are called to perform acts of kindness and compassion towards others should do so with enthusiasm and joy rather than obligation or reluctance. The act of showing mercy should be done with a willing heart and a positive attitude.

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Amos told the Israelites that they have turned justice into "wormwood". This means that they have turned justice into bitterness and sorrow. Wormwood is a bitter herb that is often associated with bitterness and sorrow. Therefore, Amos was telling the Israelites that their actions have turned justice into something bitter and sorrowful, which was not the original intention of justice.

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King Josiah's reforms were made possible by the discovery of the book of the law. This book was found during the renovation of the temple, and it was brought to Josiah's attention. Upon reading the book, Josiah became aware of how far the kingdom had strayed from God's commands, and he set out to make reforms to bring the kingdom back in line with the law. He ordered the destruction of idols, altars, and other objects used in the worship of false gods, and he reinstituted the celebration of the Passover. The discovery of the book of the law was the catalyst for Josiah's reforms.

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The division of David's kingdom was a direct consequence of Rehoboam's unwise decision. After Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam became king, but when the people of Israel asked him to ease the heavy burden of taxes and forced labor that his father had imposed on them, he refused. This caused the ten northern tribes of Israel to revolt under the leadership of Jeroboam, and they set up their own kingdom with its capital in Shechem. This event marked the beginning of the divided monarchy, with the southern kingdom of Judah (consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin) under the rule of Rehoboam and the northern kingdom of Israel under the rule of Jeroboam.

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According to the Bible, David, who was the king of Israel, committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, who was one of his soldiers. David was motivated by his lust for Bathsheba, and he even arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle to cover up his sin. When the prophet Nathan confronted David about his sin, David recognized his wrongdoing and repented before God. God forgave David, but David still faced consequences for his actions, including the death of the child he had with Bathsheba. So the answer to the question is that David accepted his guilt and repented before God.

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When the man with an unclean spirit in the region of the Gerasenes saw Jesus, he acknowledged Him as the Son of the Most High God.

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Paul advises Christians to obey authorities because they have divine mandate. In Romans 13:1-2, Paul says that every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities because they have been established by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authority is opposing what God has established and will receive judgment upon themselves. In other words, obedience to authorities is considered obedience to God.

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Abner sent messengers to David at Hebron to propose a covenant between himself and David, which would lead to David becoming the king over all Israel. Abner wanted to reconcile the northern tribes of Israel with the southern tribe of Judah, and bring peace and unity to the nation under David's leadership.

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According to the Bible, the second coming of Christ shall be recognized by a cry of command. This is mentioned in Matthew 24:30-31, where it says "Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other." Therefore, it is the cry of command and the angels' trumpet call that will announce the arrival of Christ.

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The disciple who asked Jesus, ''Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" was Thomas. Thomas expressed his confusion to Jesus about not knowing the way to where he was going, and Jesus responded by saying, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This exchange can be found in the Gospel of John, chapter 14, verses 5-6.

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The prayer of Elijah in the name of God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob brought down fire from heaven that consumed the burnt offering. This event is recorded in 1 Kings 18:36-38, where Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest to see which god would answer with fire. After the prophets of Baal failed, Elijah prayed to the Lord, and fire came down from heaven, consuming the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and even the dust around the altar. This miraculous event proved that the Lord is the true God, and it was a powerful demonstration of His power and sovereignty.

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God convinced Jeremiah of his divine call by touching his mouth. In the book of Jeremiah 1:9, God says, "Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth." This was a symbolic act of consecration, indicating that God had chosen Jeremiah and would equip him with the necessary abilities to carry out his calling as a prophet.

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God the Holy One of Israel will not listen to their prayers because their hands are full of blood. This means that they have committed sins and have blood on their hands, yet they come to God with prayers and offerings, trying to appear righteous. Their actions and their hearts are not aligned with God's will, so their prayers and offerings are worthless. Therefore, God will not listen to them until they repent and turn away from their wicked ways.

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God made all provision for man to have enough food. In this statement, God provided man with every plant yielding seed and every tree with seed in its fruit, giving man access to an abundance of food to meet his needs. Therefore, man can tend to these plants and trees to ensure their growth and preservation, while also having enough food to sustain himself.

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Nehemiah faced threats and opposition from Sanballat and Tobiah as he embarked on the reconstruction of Jerusalem. These were regional governors who were unhappy with the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and did not want Nehemiah to succeed in his task. They tried to stop him by ridiculing, threatening, and intimidating him and his workers. Despite this opposition, Nehemiah was able to complete the reconstruction of the walls within a short period of time.

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According to Peter, if a Christian suffers for his faith, he should not be ashamed. Peter is saying that it is an honor to suffer for doing good and that the person should instead rejoice in it. The suffering is a testament to their faith and the fact that they are doing what is right in the eyes of God. Therefore, a Christian should not be ashamed of the suffering they experience for their faith, but rather embrace it as a sign of their devotion to God.

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According to Mark, after Jesus has triumphantly entered Jerusalem, He went first into the temple. This is recorded in Mark 11:11: "And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve."

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The parable of the lost sheep portrays the shepherd as being loving. In the parable, the shepherd leaves the 99 sheep in the wilderness and goes after the one that is lost until he finds it. This shows the shepherd's deep concern and love for all his sheep, even the one that has strayed away. The parable is often used to illustrate God's love for humanity, as God is often portrayed as a loving and caring shepherd who seeks after his lost sheep until they are found.

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The vision of the dry bones of Ezekiel portrays hope. In the vision, Ezekiel saw a valley full of dry bones, and God asked him if the dry bones could live again. Ezekiel replied that only God knew. God then commanded Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones, and as he did, the bones came together, and flesh and skin covered them. Finally, God breathed life into the reconstituted bodies, and they stood up, a vast army. The vision symbolizes the promise of restoration and hope for the people of Israel, who were facing exile and despair at the time.

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According to John, the distinctive quality of the disciples of Jesus Christ is showing love to one another. In John 13:35, Jesus said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Therefore, love is the distinguishing characteristic of a true follower of Jesus.

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When Jacob woke from sleep on his way to Haran, he was afraid and named the place Bethel because he believed that the place was the gate of heaven. In the book of Genesis, it is stated that Jacob had a dream in which he saw a ladder that was set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. The angels of God were ascending and descending on it. In the dream, God spoke to Jacob and promised to give him and his descendants the land on which he lay. When Jacob woke up, he was afraid and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it." He then named the place Bethel, which means "house of God," and believed that it was the gate of heaven.

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The attribute of God which Isaiah emphasized most is His holiness. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet repeatedly uses the term "holy" to describe God. He highlights God's purity, perfection, and transcendence, and portrays Him as a just and righteous God who demands righteousness from His people. Isaiah's vision of God's holiness in the temple (Isaiah 6) shows how even the seraphim around God's throne declare His holiness. Isaiah's emphasis on God's holiness serves to underscore the majesty and supremacy of God, and the need for reverence and awe in approaching Him.