WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 2017

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Simon Peter was reluctant in obeying Jesus' instruction to fish again because their night's toil was fruitless. This means that they had been fishing all night and had caught nothing, so Peter was discouraged and didn't want to waste more time and effort fishing again.

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The call of Matthew, the tax collector, to be one of Jesus' apostles implied that Christ came to call sinners. In the Jewish culture of that time, tax collectors were generally despised because they were seen as collaborators with the Roman oppressors and often collected more than what was required by Rome for their own gain. Despite this, Jesus chose to call Matthew, a tax collector, to be one of his apostles. This demonstrated that Jesus' mission was to call all sinners, regardless of their social status or past actions, to repent and follow him. Matthew was willing to respond to Jesus' call, leaving his job and following him, which shows that he recognized his own need for forgiveness and salvation.

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The part of the temple connected with Jesus' temptation was the pinnacle. In the New Testament, there is a story about Jesus being tempted by the devil. The devil took Jesus to the top of a high building, often thought to be the pinnacle of the temple, and offered him the kingdoms of the world if he would bow down and worship him. Jesus refused and instead quoted scripture to resist the devil's temptations. The pinnacle was a tall tower or spire that was part of the temple in Jerusalem. It was a significant structure and symbol of the Jewish faith, and is mentioned several times in the Bible.

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According to James, the fulfillment of the royal law involves loving your neighbour as yourself. James explains that if you show partiality to some people over others, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. He goes on to say that if you keep the whole law but stumble in one point, you are guilty of breaking the whole law. James teaches that the royal law, which is to love your neighbour as yourself, is the supreme law that fulfills all other laws. Therefore, if you show love to your neighbour as you love yourself, you will not only be fulfilling the royal law, but also all other laws.

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In the temptation of Jesus, only Mark reported that Jesus was "with the wild beast." This is referring to the time immediately after Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and before he began his public ministry. According to the Gospel of Mark, Jesus was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness where he fasted for forty days and was tempted by Satan. During this time, Jesus was with the wild animals, which could symbolize the dangerous and challenging nature of his experience. This detail is unique to Mark's gospel and is not included in the accounts given in Matthew and Luke.

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Peter expected elders of the church to lead their flock selflessly. In the Bible, Peter urges elders to shepherd the flock of God that is under their care, not because they must, but because they are willing, as God wants them to be. He advises them to be examples to the flock and to serve willingly and eagerly, not for personal gain or power, but with a sincere desire to care for those in their charge. Therefore, the emphasis is on leading with humility and a servant's heart, putting the needs of the flock above their own desires or ambitions. Peter's words suggest that elders are to lead by serving, loving, and caring for their flock selflessly.

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Amos in his prophetic work advocated for true religion and social justice. He spoke out against the religious leaders and wealthy people of his time who were exploiting the poor and oppressed. Amos called for a return to the fundamental principles of justice and righteousness in both religious practice and social relationships. He believed that true worship of God should be accompanied by a commitment to doing what is right and fair for all people, especially the most vulnerable in society. In Amos 5:24, he says, "But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" This passage highlights Amos' message that true worship of God must be combined with a commitment to justice and righteousness in society.

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Moses' miracles among the Hebrews after his call were meant to convince Pharaoh of Yahweh's supremacy. This means that the miracles performed by Moses, such as turning his staff into a serpent and parting the Red Sea, were meant to demonstrate to Pharaoh and the Egyptians the power and superiority of Yahweh, the God of the Israelites. The miracles were meant to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery and to recognize Yahweh as the one true God.

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Solomon's apostasy, which refers to his turning away from worshipping God and instead worshipping false gods, had the consequence of the division of the Kingdom of Israel. This happened because God had promised to give the whole kingdom to Solomon's descendants if he followed God's commands and kept his covenant. But because of Solomon's disobedience, God decided to take away most of the kingdom from Solomon's descendants and give it to someone else. This division happened after Solomon's death when his son, Rehoboam, became king. The people of Israel requested that Rehoboam lighten the heavy burden of taxes and labor that Solomon had imposed on them, but Rehoboam refused. This led to a rebellion by the northern tribes of Israel, who made Jeroboam their king and established the Kingdom of Israel in the north. The southern tribes remained loyal to Rehoboam and established the Kingdom of Judah in the south. Thus, the division of the kingdom was a direct consequence of Solomon's apostasy.

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Samuel's disagreement with Saul was caused mainly by disobedience. Samuel was a prophet and the leader of God's people, and Saul was the king of Israel. However, Saul failed to follow God's commands, which led to Samuel's disagreement with him. This disobedience showed a lack of respect for God and His commands, and as a result, God chose someone else to be king in place of Saul. Samuel's disagreement with Saul was rooted in his desire to follow and obey God, while Saul was not following God's commands and was therefore acting against God's will.

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The counsel "keep away from these men and let them alone" was offered by Gamaliel. In the Bible, Gamaliel was a Pharisee who was well-respected by the Jewish people. When the apostles of Jesus were preaching and performing miracles in Jerusalem, the religious leaders became angry and arrested them. Gamaliel advised caution, pointing out that other messianic movements had arisen in the past, and they had ultimately failed. He suggested that if the apostles' movement was not from God, it would come to nothing, but if it was from God, they would not be able to stop it. This advice was heeded, and the apostles were released. Gamaliel's wisdom and moderation were highly regarded by the people and showed his respect for the rule of law and the sovereignty of God.

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Sanballat made this statement to ridicule the Jews. The statement was a form of mockery and contempt directed towards the Jews who were trying to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Sanballat, a leader of the neighboring Samaritans, saw the rebuilding effort as a weakness and was trying to diminish the Jews' resolve by belittling their efforts. This statement reflects the opposition and hostility that the Jews faced as they attempted to restore their city and regain their independence. The statement was meant to discourage the Jews and make them feel like their efforts were futile.

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Herod Agrippa killed James in order to win the confidence of the Jews. This was done in an attempt to show the Jewish people that he was a supporter of their beliefs and traditions, and to gain their favor and support. By killing James, who was a leader of the early Christian community, Herod Agrippa may have hoped to demonstrate his opposition to the spread of Christianity, which was seen as a threat to traditional Judaism.

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Josiah defiled Topheth in order to prevent Jews from sacrificing children to Molech. In the Old Testament, Topheth was a place in the valley of Hinnom, where children were offered as burnt offerings to the god Molech. This practice was considered abhorrent and was explicitly forbidden in the Law of Moses. Josiah was a king of Judah who reigned from around 640 to 609 BCE. He initiated a religious reform in Judah, in which he sought to rid the nation of all forms of idolatry and to restore the worship of the God of Israel. As part of this reform, he defiled Topheth by making it ceremonially unclean and putting an end to the practice of sacrificing children there. Josiah's actions were in accordance with the Law of Moses and were intended to purify the nation of Judah and bring it back into right relationship with God.

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One of the four rivers in the Garden of Eden, as described in the biblical book of Genesis, was the Tigris. The Tigris is a river located in Western Asia, and it flows through the countries of Turkey, Iraq, and Syria. It is one of the two rivers that make up the Tigris-Euphrates river system and has played a significant role in the development of civilization in the region. In the Bible, the Tigris is mentioned as one of the four rivers that flowed out of the Garden of Eden, and it is considered a sacred body of water by many religious groups.

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Joseph was sold to the Midianites by his brothers at Dothan. In the Bible, Joseph was one of the 12 sons of Jacob, and he was his father's favorite. Joseph's brothers were jealous of him and plotted to kill him, but instead, they sold him as a slave to the Midianites who were passing by on their way to Egypt. This happened in the town of Dothan, which was located in the northern part of Israel. This event led to a chain of events that eventually led to Joseph becoming a powerful leader in Egypt and ultimately saving his family from famine.

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Pontius Pilate condemned Jesus to death so that the Jews might be pleased. This means that Pilate, who was the governor of Judea at the time, made the decision to sentence Jesus to death in order to appease the Jewish leaders and avoid conflict with them. Pilate saw Jesus as innocent, but gave in to the demands of the Jewish leaders in order to maintain peace and stability in his jurisdiction.

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The miraculous crossing of the Red Sea by the Israelites shows God's guidance and protection over His people. According to the Old Testament of the Bible, the Israelites were slaves in Egypt and were led by Moses to escape and find freedom in the Promised Land. However, they were pursued by Pharaoh and his army, and when they came to the Red Sea, they were trapped with nowhere to go. But then, God performed a miracle by parting the sea and allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. As they crossed, the waters closed back in, destroying Pharaoh's army that was pursuing them. This event demonstrated God's power and protection over His people and showed that He was faithful in keeping His promises to them. It also solidified Moses' leadership and helped to establish him as a trustworthy and reliable leader in the eyes of the Israelites.

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The reason why Peter called on Christians not to retaliate is because vengeance belongs to God. In other words, Christians are not supposed to take revenge into their own hands but to leave it to God to handle. Peter encouraged Christians to follow the example of Jesus, who patiently bore his own persecutions without retaliation, knowing that God would ultimately bring justice. Christians are called to trust in God's justice and to show love and forgiveness to their enemies, rather than seeking revenge.

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Aaron was chosen to assist Moses in liberating the Israelites not because Moses was a stammerer, or God had lost confidence in him, or the Israelites murmured against his leadership, or because Moses was old and would soon die. According to the Bible, Aaron was chosen because God commanded Moses to choose him as his spokesperson, since Moses was concerned that he was not eloquent enough to speak on behalf of the Israelites. Therefore, Aaron became Moses' mouthpiece, speaking to the people on behalf of God, while Moses acted as their leader and intermediary with God.

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God charged Joshua during his call to cross the Jordan River in order to possess the promised land. God promised Abraham and his descendants this land as an inheritance, and Joshua was to lead the Israelites into the land that God had promised to them. This was a fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham, and Joshua was to lead the Israelites in taking possession of the land and driving out its inhabitants.

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Nehemiah succeeded in building the walls of Jerusalem because God's hand was with the Jews. Nehemiah had a strong faith in God and prayed to Him for help in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. God answered his prayers and helped him overcome various challenges such as opposition from Sanballat and Tobiah, lack of resources, and internal conflicts among the Jews. God also gave Nehemiah wisdom, strength, and courage to lead the people in the rebuilding effort. Therefore, it was ultimately God's grace and intervention that enabled Nehemiah to complete the task successfully.

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The lake in question was most likely the Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Tiberias or Lake Kinneret. In the New Testament, many stories are set around the Sea of Galilee, which is a freshwater lake located in northern Israel. The lake is also referenced as Gennesaret, which was a region on the western shore of the lake. In the given passage, the fishermen were washing their nets, which suggests that they had just returned from fishing on the lake. The Sea of Galilee was a common location for fishing in the time of Jesus, and it was likely the primary source of livelihood for many of the people in the area.

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David's respect and humility for the Lord's anointed was depicted in his refusal to kill Saul. In the Bible, Saul was the first king of Israel and was anointed by God. However, he had disobeyed God and was no longer fit to be king. David, who had been anointed to be the next king, had many opportunities to kill Saul, but he refused to harm him because he respected the fact that he was God's chosen king. This demonstrated David's loyalty to God and his willingness to follow God's will, even if it meant delaying his own ascent to the throne.

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The most fascinating aspect of what was going on in the early church was that believers shared their possessions. In the book of Acts in the New Testament, it is recorded that the early Christian community shared their possessions with one another. This sharing of resources was an expression of their love and concern for one another, and it helped to meet the needs of those who were less fortunate. This practice was initiated by the apostles, who were inspired by the teachings of Jesus to love one another and to care for the poor. The sharing of possessions among the believers was a practical outworking of their faith and a witness to the world of the transformative power of the gospel. This aspect of the early church is fascinating because it challenges our modern individualistic mindset and reminds us of the importance of community and caring for one another.

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King Darius decreed that men should tremble and fear the God of Daniel because He (God) is the living God. In the book of Daniel in the Bible, King Darius was impressed by Daniel's wisdom and miraculous ability to interpret dreams. Daniel was able to interpret a dream for the king that revealed the true power and authority of God. King Darius acknowledged that the God of Daniel was not a mere statue or idol, but a living God who has the power to perform miracles and intervene in the lives of people. Therefore, King Darius commanded all his subjects to fear and worship the living God of Daniel.

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The reference "So the city was besieged till the eleventh year of King Zedekiah" alludes to Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. The passage suggests that the city was under siege for a long time, until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah's reign. This event is recorded in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Book of Jeremiah, and it describes the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army. Nebuchadnezzar was the King of Babylon at the time and his army had surrounded the city in an attempt to conquer it. The siege lasted for many years and was a significant event in the history of the Kingdom of Judah.

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According to the Bible, King Solomon of Israel received cedar and cypress wood from King Hiram of Tyre for the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. In return, Solomon gave King Hiram 20,000 cors of wheat and 20,000 baths of olive oil. This exchange is mentioned in 1 Kings 5:10-11. So, the correct option is "wheat and oil".

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The book of Hosea is meant to illustrate God's love and mercy. This means that the book of Hosea in the Old Testament is meant to show how much God loves and is merciful to his people, even when they have strayed from him and disobeyed his commands. Through the story of the prophet Hosea and his unfaithful wife, the book of Hosea portrays the depths of God's love and his willingness to forgive and restore his people.

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Joseph was sold to the Midianites by his brothers at Dothan. Joseph's brothers had become jealous of him because of the favor their father had shown him, so they plotted to kill him. However, Reuben, the eldest brother, convinced them to throw him into a pit instead. When the Midianite traders passed by, Judah suggested that they sell Joseph to them for twenty pieces of silver, and they agreed. Joseph was then taken to Egypt by the Midianites, where he was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh.

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Joseph of Arimathea expressed his faith in Jesus when he buried Jesus in his tomb. Joseph was a wealthy man and a member of the Jewish council who had not consented to the decision to crucify Jesus. After Jesus' death, Joseph went to Pilate and requested permission to take Jesus' body and bury it in his own tomb. By doing this, Joseph was publicly identifying himself as a follower of Jesus and expressing his belief in him as the Messiah. This was a courageous act, as it could have potentially put Joseph's own safety and reputation at risk. Joseph's action also fulfilled a prophecy from the Hebrew Scriptures that the Messiah would be buried in a rich man's tomb. Overall, Joseph of Arimathea's decision to bury Jesus in his own tomb demonstrated his faith in Jesus and his willingness to take a stand for what he believed in, despite the risks involved.

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Eleazar, the man who commissioned Joshua, was a priest. In the Old Testament, priests were responsible for offering sacrifices and performing other religious rituals in the tabernacle or temple. They were also entrusted with teaching and interpreting the laws and commandments of God to the people. Eleazar is identified as the son of Aaron, who was the first high priest of Israel. As such, Eleazar was a member of the priestly class and served in the tabernacle. When Moses passed away, it was Eleazar who commissioned Joshua to take over the leadership of the Israelites and to lead them into the Promised Land.

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Herod's expectation in receiving Jesus for a trial was to punish Jesus. Herod was a king and wanted to show his power and authority over the people. He saw Jesus as a threat to his rule, and wanted to put an end to his influence by punishing him. This is why he wanted to put Jesus on trial and potentially sentence him to a punishment such as imprisonment or execution.

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According to James, faith in God produces steadfastness, joy, wisdom, and blessing. Steadfastness refers to the ability to remain firm and unwavering in one's beliefs and values even in the face of difficulties and challenges. Faith in God provides a foundation for one's beliefs and values, which can help to strengthen one's resolve and perseverance in the face of adversity. Joy refers to a deep sense of happiness and contentment that comes from having faith in God. Knowing that one is loved and supported by a higher power can bring a sense of peace and joy that is not easily shaken by external circumstances. Wisdom refers to the ability to make good decisions and exercise good judgment. Faith in God can provide a moral and ethical framework that guides one's decisions and actions, leading to greater wisdom and understanding. Blessing refers to the good things that come as a result of having faith in God. This can include material blessings such as financial prosperity, as well as spiritual blessings such as a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life.

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Jesus taught that the attitude of Christians toward forgiveness should be limitless. This means that Christians should be willing to forgive others as many times as necessary and without putting any limits on how often they should forgive. This is based on Jesus' teaching in Matthew 18:21-22, where he says, "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." This passage shows that Jesus expects his followers to forgive others without counting the number of times they have been wronged. Instead, Christians should seek to show unconditional love and forgiveness, just as God has shown them unconditional love and forgiveness.

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The incident of the mourning guards at Jesus' tomb was recorded by Saint Matthew. In the Gospel of Matthew, he describes how after Jesus' burial, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate and requested that he secure the tomb because they feared that Jesus' disciples might steal his body and claim that he had risen from the dead. Pilate agreed and ordered that guards be stationed at the tomb. On the third day, there was a great earthquake and an angel of the Lord descended and rolled back the stone from the entrance of the tomb. The guards were so afraid that they shook and became like dead men. When the women came to the tomb, the angel told them that Jesus had risen from the dead, just as he had promised.

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The main reason why the Israelites went to Egypt was because there was a great famine. This famine caused a severe shortage of food and resources in the land of Canaan where the Israelites lived. As a result, Jacob and his family (including his son Joseph) migrated to Egypt in search of food and sustenance. Joseph, who was sold into slavery in Egypt, had risen to a position of power and was in charge of managing the food supply during the famine. Therefore, he was able to provide food and shelter for his family and the rest of the Israelites who came to Egypt. Eventually, the Israelites would become enslaved by the Egyptians and remain in Egypt for many years until they were led out by Moses during the Exodus.

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Deborah's cooperation with Barak in the battle against Sisera was based on her absolute belief and trust in God. As a prophetess, Deborah had a close relationship with God and knew that He would guide her in the right direction. She believed that God would grant them victory over their enemies and lead them to success. Therefore, she encouraged Barak to trust in God's power and promised him that God would be with him in battle. This trust in God's power allowed Deborah to confidently lead Barak and his army to victory.

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The sons of Eli treated God's sacrifices with contempt by taking raw meat before the fats were burnt. This was disrespectful to God and went against the rules for how the sacrifices were supposed to be offered. In the Jewish tradition, the fat of the animal was to be burnt as a symbol of offering the best part of the animal to God. By taking the meat before it was properly offered, Eli's sons showed a lack of reverence and respect for God and the sacrificial laws.

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The Persian King who allowed the Jews to go back to rebuild the temple was Cyrus. After the Babylonian Empire conquered Judah and destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem in 586 BCE, the Jewish people were taken into exile. However, in 539 BCE, the Persian Empire, led by King Cyrus, conquered Babylon and allowed the Jewish people to return to their homeland. Cyrus issued a decree that allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple. This decree is recorded in the Hebrew Bible in the book of Ezra. Cyrus is regarded as a liberator and a hero by the Jewish people, who consider him to be an instrument of God's will.

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(a) King Josiah's religious reforms (2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34-35)

Josiah became king of Judah at the age of eight and did what was right in the sight of the Lord. In the eighteenth year of his reign he set out to repair the temple. During the repairs, Hilkiah the high priest found the Book of the Law, which was read before the king. When Josiah heard its words, he tore his clothes in grief and consulted the prophetess Huldah, who confirmed that judgment would come on the nation for its sins, but not in Josiah's days because his heart was tender and he had humbled himself.

Josiah then carried out thorough reforms:

• He gathered all the people, read the Book of the Covenant to them, and renewed the covenant to follow the Lord and keep His commandments with all their heart.
• He removed and destroyed the vessels made for Baal, Asherah and the host of heaven, and burned them.
• He deposed the idolatrous priests and abolished worship at the high places.
• He destroyed the shrine of the male cult prostitutes and defiled the pagan altars, including Topheth in the Valley of Hinnom where children were sacrificed to Molech.
• He broke down the altars set up by former kings and the altar at Bethel built by Jeroboam, fulfilling an earlier prophecy.
• He put away the mediums, wizards, household gods and all abominations.
• He commanded the people to keep the Passover to the Lord, and such a Passover had not been held since the days of the judges.

No king before or after him turned to the Lord so fully with all his heart, soul and might.

(b) Four ways Christians can maintain the purity of their religion

1. Studying and obeying God's word: Regular reading and application of the Scriptures as the standard for faith and conduct.
2. Rejecting idolatry and syncretism: Shunning all forms of idol worship, occultism, fetish practices and mixing pagan customs with Christianity.
3. True and sincere worship: Worshipping God in spirit and truth, avoiding hypocrisy and empty ritual.
4. Repentance and covenant faithfulness: Turning away from sin, renewing commitment to God, and living holy, obedient lives.

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(a) Circumstances that led to the call of Deborah to battle with Jabin (Judges 4-5)

After the death of Ehud, the Israelites again did evil in the sight of the Lord. As punishment, God sold them into the hand of Jabin, king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who possessed nine hundred chariots of iron and had cruelly oppressed the people of Israel for twenty years. In their distress the Israelites cried out to the Lord for deliverance.

At that time Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel, and the people came to her for judgment. Deborah summoned Barak the son of Abinoam and told him that the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded him to gather ten thousand men from Naphtali and Zebulun and go to Mount Tabor, where God would draw out Sisera with his chariots to the river Kishon and give him into Barak's hand. Barak agreed to go only if Deborah went with him; she consented but warned that the glory of the victory would go to a woman, for the Lord would sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.

In the battle, the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots. Sisera fled on foot and took refuge in the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, who killed him by driving a tent peg through his temple while he slept. Thus Israel was delivered, and Deborah and Barak sang a song of victory.

(b) Three ways women can contribute to national development

1. Leadership and governance: Women can serve as leaders, judges, administrators and lawmakers, guiding the nation with wisdom and integrity as Deborah did.
2. Education and moral upbringing: As mothers and teachers, they nurture and train responsible, godly citizens who build the nation.
3. Economic and social service: Through trade, agriculture, health care, and community and charitable work, women boost the economy and improve social welfare.

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(a) The Communal Living of the Early Church (Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37)

After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, the community of believers in Jerusalem developed a distinctive pattern of shared life marked by unity, devotion and generosity.

• The believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, receiving instruction in the doctrines concerning Jesus Christ.
• They continued steadfastly in fellowship, sharing a common life and regarding one another as brothers and sisters.
• They observed the breaking of bread, both in the fellowship meals and in the Lord's Supper, remembering the death of Christ.
• They were constant in prayers, meeting together to seek God.
• A sense of awe and reverence came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
• Those who believed were together and had all things in common. They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need.
• The company of believers was of one heart and soul, and no one claimed that his possessions were his own.
• They continued daily with one accord in the Temple and broke bread from house to house, eating with glad and sincere hearts.
• They praised God and enjoyed the favour of all the people, and the Lord added daily to their number those who were being saved.
• Prominent among the givers was Barnabas, who sold a field and laid the money at the apostles' feet.

(b) Three lessons from the life of the Early Church

1. Genuine love expresses itself in sharing. Christians should be ready to care for one another and to meet the material needs of the poor and the needy in the community of faith.
2. Unity and fellowship strengthen the Church. Believers ought to live in peace, agreement and mutual support rather than in division and selfishness.
3. Devotion to teaching, prayer and worship is essential. A healthy Christian life is built on steady attention to God's word, prayer and regular fellowship, which draws others to the faith.

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(a) James' advice on the treatment of the poor and the rich in the church (James 2:1-9)

James warns believers against the sin of showing partiality, using the example of two visitors who come into the assembly.

• He tells Christians who hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ not to show favouritism or partiality.
• He describes a situation where a man with gold rings and fine clothing and a poor man in shabby clothing enter the assembly.
• If the members pay special attention to the well-dressed man, saying, Sit here in a good place, while telling the poor man, Stand there or Sit at my feet, they have made distinctions among themselves and become judges with evil thoughts.
• James reminds them that God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom.
• He points out the inconsistency of honouring the rich, since it is often the rich who oppress the believers, drag them into court and blaspheme the noble name by which they are called.
• He urges them to fulfil the royal law, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. To show partiality is to commit sin and to be convicted as transgressors of the law.

(b) Four reasons why people should not discriminate against each other

1. All human beings are created in the image of God and possess equal worth and dignity.
2. God is no respecter of persons and shows no partiality, so His people must reflect His character.
3. Discrimination violates the law of love, which commands us to love our neighbour as ourselves.
4. Outward appearance, wealth or status is not a true measure of a person's value; God looks at the heart, and the poor may be rich in faith.

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(a) Activities of the characters during the crucifixion

(i) The Two Robbers (Luke 23:32-43; Matthew 27:38, 44): Two criminals were crucified with Jesus, one on His right and one on His left. At first both reviled Him. In Luke's account, however, one of the robbers changed. The first robber railed at Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." But the other robber rebuked him, saying they were justly condemned for their deeds while this man had done nothing wrong. Turning to Jesus, this penitent robber said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus replied, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Thus one robber mocked while the other repented and received the promise of salvation.

(ii) Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:42-46; Luke 23:50-53; John 19:38): Joseph was a rich man of Arimathea, a respected member of the council (Sanhedrin), a good and righteous man who had not consented to their decision, and a secret disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews. After Jesus died, and as evening approached before the Sabbath, Joseph went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate granted it. Joseph took the body down, wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb hewn out of the rock, in which no one had yet been laid. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb.

(b) Three ways the behaviour of the robbers is significant to Christians

1. Salvation is available even at the last moment through repentance and faith: The penitent robber teaches that sincere repentance and faith in Christ bring forgiveness and eternal life, even at the point of death.
2. People respond differently to Christ: One robber mocked and rejected Him while the other believed, showing that each person must make a personal choice for or against Christ.
3. Confession of sin and defence of the innocent are commendable: The good robber acknowledged his own guilt and defended the sinless Jesus, teaching Christians to admit their sins and stand for the truth.

Akọwa Nkọwa

(a) The dreams of Pharaoh (Genesis 41)

Pharaoh had two troubling dreams in one night. In the first, he stood by the river Nile and saw seven cows, sleek and fat, come up out of the river and feed in the reed grass. Then seven other cows, ugly, thin and gaunt, came up after them and ate the seven fat cows, yet remained as lean as before. Pharaoh awoke, slept again, and dreamed a second dream: seven ears of grain, plump and good, grew on one stalk. After them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind, and the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump ears.

In the morning Pharaoh's spirit was troubled, and none of the magicians and wise men of Egypt could interpret the dreams. The chief butler then remembered Joseph, who had interpreted dreams in prison. Joseph was brought from the dungeon, and giving glory to God, he explained that the two dreams were one: the seven fat cows and seven good ears meant seven years of great plenty, while the seven lean cows and thin ears meant seven years of severe famine that would follow and consume the plenty. The doubling of the dream showed that the thing was fixed by God and would happen soon. Joseph advised Pharaoh to appoint a wise man to store one-fifth of the produce during the years of plenty against the years of famine.

(b) Three ways the interpretation affected Joseph and his people

1. Joseph's promotion: Pharaoh was so impressed that he set Joseph over all Egypt as governor, second only to himself, gave him his signet ring, fine linen and a gold chain, and a wife. Joseph rose from prison to the highest office.
2. Preservation from famine: By storing grain during the seven plenteous years, Joseph saved Egypt and many nations, including his own family, from dying in the famine.
3. Reunion and settlement of his family: The famine brought Joseph's brothers to Egypt, leading to reconciliation and the migration of Jacob and his whole household to settle in the fertile land of Goshen.

Akọwa Nkọwa

(a) Circumstances that led David to serve in the house of Saul (1 Samuel 16)

Because Saul had disobeyed God, the Spirit of the Lord departed from him, and an evil (tormenting) spirit troubled him. Saul's servants suggested that a skilful harp player be found to play for him and soothe him whenever the evil spirit came. One of the young men recommended David, the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, describing him as skilful in playing, a man of valour, prudent in speech, good-looking, and one with whom the Lord was present.

Saul therefore sent messengers to Jesse asking for David, and Jesse sent David with a gift. David came to Saul and entered his service, and Saul loved him greatly and made him his armour-bearer. Whenever the evil spirit troubled Saul, David played the harp, and Saul was refreshed and the evil spirit departed. Earlier, the prophet Samuel had already secretly anointed David as the future king when God rejected Saul. David's fame grew further after he killed the Philistine giant Goliath, which drew him even closer into the royal court, though it later provoked Saul's jealousy.

(b) Three lessons leaders can learn from the causes of Saul's downfall

1. Obedience to God is essential: Saul fell because he disobeyed God, offering the sacrifice himself instead of waiting for Samuel, and sparing Agag and the best animals against God's command. Leaders must fully obey God rather than partly.
2. Avoid pride, self-will and impatience: Saul acted presumptuously and made excuses instead of repenting. Leaders must be humble, patient and accountable.
3. Avoid jealousy, hatred and vengeance: Saul's envy of David consumed him and led to repeated attempts on David's life, ruining his reign. Leaders must guard against jealousy and destructive rivalry.

Akọwa Nkọwa

(a) Peter's teaching on the Christian's attitude to civil authorities (1 Peter 2:13-17)

• Peter urges believers to submit themselves to every human institution for the Lord's sake, whether to the emperor as supreme or to governors sent by him.
• He explains that governors are sent to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right, so civil authority serves a good purpose ordained by God.
• He teaches that it is God's will that by doing good Christians should silence the ignorance of foolish men.
• Believers are to live as free people, yet not use their freedom as a cover-up for evil, but rather as servants of God.
• He sums it up in four commands: honour everyone, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honour the emperor.

(b) Three reasons for submission to civil authorities

1. Civil authority is ordained by God for the good ordering of society, so obeying it is part of obeying God.
2. Authorities exist to punish wrongdoers and reward those who do good, thereby maintaining peace, law and order.
3. Obedience gives a good testimony, silencing critics and commending the Christian faith to unbelievers.

Akọwa Nkọwa

(a) The temptation of Jesus as recorded in Matthew (Matthew 4:1-11)

After His baptism, Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights and afterward was hungry. Then the tempter came to Him with three temptations:

1. Turning stones to bread: The devil said, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." Jesus answered, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."
2. Casting Himself from the temple: The devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, urging Him to throw Himself down, quoting Scripture that the angels would bear Him up. Jesus replied, "Again it is written, You shall not tempt the Lord your God."
3. The offer of the kingdoms of the world: The devil took Him to a very high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and offered them all if Jesus would fall down and worship him. Jesus said, "Begone, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve."

Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

(b) Three ways the temptations were significant to Jesus in His ministry

1. They defined the nature of His messiahship: Jesus rejected the way of material provision, spectacular signs and political power, choosing instead the path of humble obedience and the cross.
2. They prepared and strengthened Him for His mission: Overcoming Satan at the outset proved His loyalty to God and equipped Him to resist temptation and complete His work faithfully.
3. They set an example for His followers: By defeating temptation with the word of God, Jesus showed believers how to overcome the devil, and He became a sympathetic High Priest who understands human temptation.