WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 2013

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According to Ezekiel, the wicked person should redeem himself. Ezekiel was a prophet in the Old Testament who preached to the Israelites during the Babylonian exile. In his teachings, Ezekiel emphasized the importance of repentance and turning away from sin in order to be reconciled with God. Ezekiel believed that every person is responsible for their own actions, and that they must take responsibility for their sins and seek forgiveness in order to be redeemed. He did not advocate for stoning or punishment of the wicked, but rather called on them to turn away from their sins and seek God's mercy. In Ezekiel's view, redemption was possible for even the most wicked person, as long as they repented and turned away from their sinful ways. He believed that God was merciful and forgiving, and that those who sought redemption would be welcomed back into the community of believers. In summary, according to Ezekiel, the wicked person should redeem himself by turning away from sin and seeking forgiveness from God, rather than being punished or reprimanded by the prophet or stoned to death.

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Paul believes that the resurrection of the dead would only occur on the last day. In his letters, Paul teaches that the dead will be raised at the end of time, when Jesus returns in glory to judge the living and the dead. This is often referred to as the "last day" or the "day of the Lord." Paul emphasizes the importance of the resurrection, stating that without it, our faith is in vain. He believes that the resurrected bodies will be transformed and made imperishable, and that we will be reunited with our loved ones who have died in Christ.

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The twelve spies that were sent by Moses to the promised land were to confirm various things including the type of people in the land, the fertility of the land, and the fortifications of the cities. However, they were not sent to confirm the availability of grapes in the land. The account of their mission can be found in the book of Numbers, chapter 13.

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Pilate referred Jesus to Herod for trial because Jesus was originally from the region of Galilee, which was under the jurisdiction of Herod Antipas. Pilate hoped that Herod would take responsibility for Jesus and deal with him himself, instead of leaving Pilate to make a difficult decision regarding Jesus' fate.

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The opposition to the rebuilding of the temple was resolved by an edict issued by Darius. King Darius was approached by the Jews, who asked him to search the archives to confirm the decree of Cyrus that permitted the rebuilding of the temple. After the decree was found, Darius issued an edict ordering that the rebuilding of the temple be allowed to continue without any hindrances, and that the Jews be provided with all the materials they needed for the construction. This ended the opposition to the rebuilding of the temple and allowed it to be completed.

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The laying of hands on Barnabas and Paul for the First Missionary Journey signifies their being commissioned. Commissioning is a formal process of authorizing someone to carry out a specific task or responsibility. In the context of the Bible, commissioning is a spiritual act of setting someone apart for a particular ministry or service. In Acts 13:3, it is recorded that the prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch laid their hands on Barnabas and Paul and prayed over them, commissioning them for their missionary journey. By laying their hands on Barnabas and Paul, the leaders of the church were symbolically passing on the authority and power of the Holy Spirit to them, empowering them for their mission. The act of laying on hands is a common practice in the Bible and signifies the recognition and support of the community for the person being commissioned. Therefore, the laying of hands on Barnabas and Paul for the First Missionary Journey signifies their being commissioned by the church leaders and empowered by the Holy Spirit for their mission.

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According to Paul in Thessalonian, the signs of the Second Coming of Christ would start with rebellion. Paul, who was an apostle of Jesus Christ, wrote two letters to the Thessalonians in which he discussed the Second Coming of Christ. In his second letter, he described the events that would occur before the Second Coming, which included rebellion and the rise of the man of lawlessness, who would oppose God and exalt himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped. The rebellion that Paul referred to may be understood as a rejection of God's authority and the rise of wickedness and evil in the world. This rebellion may take many forms, such as the rejection of God's commandments, the rise of false religions, or the persecution of Christians. In addition to rebellion, Paul also mentioned other signs that would occur before the Second Coming, including the apostasy of some believers, the rise of false prophets and signs and wonders, and the coming of the man of lawlessness. These signs would be accompanied by various tribulations, including earthquakes and darkness. In summary, according to Paul in Thessalonian, the signs of the Second Coming of Christ would start with rebellion, which would be accompanied by other signs and tribulations before the ultimate return of Jesus Christ.

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This was part of Jesus' teaching on retaliation. In this passage, Jesus was emphasizing the importance of turning the other cheek and not seeking revenge or retaliation when wronged. He taught that if someone slaps you on one cheek, you should turn the other cheek instead of retaliating. He also taught that if someone takes your coat, you should give them your shirt as well. Jesus' teaching on retaliation was aimed at promoting peace and forgiveness rather than violence and revenge.

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The incident in the fiery furnace concerning Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego convinced Nebuchadnezzar that Yahweh is the only true God. When the three Jews refused to worship the golden statue, they were thrown into the fiery furnace, but they were miraculously saved by God. Nebuchadnezzar witnessed this miracle and saw that the God of the Jews was powerful enough to save them from certain death. As a result, he acknowledged the power and sovereignty of Yahweh as the only true God, and he made a decree that no one should speak against Him.

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James teaches that sin, unfaithfulness, and greed are true causes of unanswered prayers. However, he does not teach that diligence is a cause of unanswered prayers. In fact, James emphasizes the importance of perseverance and endurance in the face of trials and difficulties, and he encourages believers to pray with faith and trust in God's goodness and faithfulness. Thus, James suggests that diligence in prayer is actually a key ingredient in receiving answers to prayer, rather than a cause of unanswered prayers.

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The appointment of the Seven Deacons highlighted the need for sharing responsibility. In the early Christian Church, there was a problem of inequality in the distribution of food to the widows of the community. The apostles realized that they could not effectively manage all the tasks and responsibilities of the growing church alone, and so they appointed seven men to help them. These men were known as the Seven Deacons. By appointing the Seven Deacons, the apostles were able to delegate responsibility and share the workload, allowing them to focus on other important tasks. This decision also showed that it was important for all members of the Christian community to work together and support one another, rather than relying on a few individuals to manage everything.

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In Paul's thought, reconciliation means to have peace with God and man. It is about restoring a broken relationship between God and humanity caused by sin. Through Jesus' death on the cross, the barrier that separated humanity from God was removed, and a new relationship was made possible. Paul teaches that through faith in Christ, we can be reconciled to God, have our sins forgiven, and be made right with Him. This reconciliation also extends to our relationships with others, where we are called to seek forgiveness, extend forgiveness, and live in harmony with one another. Therefore, reconciliation is not about paying back debts, giving alms to the needy, or pleasing God with prayers, but about being at peace with God and living in peace with others.

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Josiah carried out a religious reform in Judah. He was one of the kings of Judah who reigned in the 7th century BC. He initiated religious reforms by repairing the temple and restoring proper worship of God. He removed idols and other foreign religious practices that had been introduced in Judah. He also reinstated the Passover celebration and destroyed the altars and high places that had been erected for foreign gods. His reforms were aimed at bringing the people of Judah back to the worship of the one true God, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest kings of Judah.

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Hosea's daughter was called "Not pitied" (or "Lo-ruhamah" in Hebrew). Hosea's marriage to his wife Gomer was a symbolic representation of God's relationship with the unfaithful Israel. Hosea's daughter's name "Not pitied" represents God's rejection of Israel due to their unfaithfulness. The name was given to show that God would no longer have mercy on Israel and would allow them to suffer the consequences of their actions.

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According to Paul, God gives us victory over death through Jesus. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 that death came through Adam, but life comes through Jesus. He goes on to say that just as Adam brought death to all humanity, Jesus brings life to all who believe in him. Paul emphasizes the importance of Jesus' death and resurrection, stating that if Christ had not been raised from the dead, then our faith would be in vain. He declares that through faith in Jesus, we are no longer under the power of sin and death, but have been made alive in Christ. In essence, Paul is saying that Jesus' death and resurrection provides victory over death for all who believe in him. This victory over death means that even though our physical bodies may die, our souls will live on with Christ forever.

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The primary motive for Christian giving is to reciprocate God's blessing. Christian giving is not about giving in order to receive something in return, such as going to heaven when they die or providing for the servants of God. Rather, Christian giving is an expression of gratitude and love for God and a desire to support the work of His kingdom on earth. Christians give because they recognize that all they have comes from God and that He has blessed them abundantly. Giving is a way of acknowledging God's provision and expressing gratitude for His blessings. Additionally, Christians give to support the work of the church, including spreading the gospel, helping those in need, and supporting missionaries and other ministry workers. Ultimately, Christian giving is a response to God's grace and love. It is an act of worship and an expression of faith and trust in God's provision and care.

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Jeremiah's vision of a boiling pot represented invasion from the North. In the Bible, in the book of Jeremiah, the prophet had a vision in which he saw a boiling pot tilted away from the North, which represented an invasion that would come from the North and bring destruction upon the people of Judah. The vision was a warning to the people of Judah to turn away from their sins and to repent, so that they would not suffer the consequences of God's judgment. The boiling pot symbolized the heat of God's wrath that would be poured out upon Judah because of their disobedience.

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These words were spoken by Eli, the priest of the Lord, in response to the news that the Philistines had captured the ark of the covenant and that Eli's two sons had been killed in battle. Eli recognized that the situation was in God's hands and that God would do what He deemed right. The quote highlights Eli's humility and acceptance of God's will.

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The prayer of Jesus at Gethsemane shows that He was in severe agony. In this prayer, Jesus expressed his deep distress and agony about the imminent suffering that he would undergo on the cross. He prayed to God for strength and for the cup of suffering to be taken away if possible. However, He ultimately submitted to God's will, saying "not as I will, but as you will." This prayer shows the intense physical and emotional suffering that Jesus experienced, as well as his complete trust and submission to God's plan.

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Eve was to have pains at childbirth because she ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This story is found in the book of Genesis in the Bible, and it describes how God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden. He instructed them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, warning them that if they did, they would surely die. However, Eve was tempted by the serpent and ate from the tree. She then convinced Adam to eat from the tree as well. As a result of their disobedience, sin entered the world, and they were expelled from the Garden of Eden. One of the consequences of their disobedience was that Eve would have pain during childbirth. This is described in Genesis 3:16, where God tells Eve, "I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children." Therefore, the reason why Eve was to have pains at childbirth was that she disobeyed God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This consequence was part of the punishment for their disobedience and serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of sin.

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The Council of Jerusalem did not mention any yoke that had been difficult for Pharisees and their fathers to bear. The Council of Jerusalem was a meeting of Christian leaders in the first century A.D. who were trying to resolve a controversy about whether Gentile converts to Christianity needed to follow Jewish customs, such as circumcision and following dietary laws. During the Council's discussions, the apostle Peter spoke about the yoke of the Law of Moses, which he said neither he nor his fellow Jewish believers had been able to bear. Peter was referring to the burden of following the many laws and regulations contained in the Old Testament, which the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders had emphasized and enforced. Peter argued that God had made it clear that salvation was not based on keeping the Law, but on faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, the Council of Jerusalem concluded that Gentile converts to Christianity did not need to follow Jewish customs in order to be saved. This decision was a significant development in the early Christian church and helped to establish the universality of the gospel message.

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According to Peter, a good citizen is one who obeys the law of the state and fulfills his obligations. This means that a good citizen should respect the laws and authority of the state, pay taxes, and do their civic duties. Peter emphasizes that Christians should be model citizens and not engage in any behavior that would bring shame to the Christian faith. However, providing for the poor and offering social services are also important aspects of being a good citizen, but Peter specifically emphasizes obedience to the law and fulfilling obligations as the primary characteristics.

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The first martyr among the apostles was Stephen. Stephen was one of the seven men chosen by the apostles to serve the widows in the early Christian community. He was known for his wisdom and the miracles he performed, and he fearlessly preached the gospel of Jesus Christ despite opposition from the religious leaders. He was stoned to death by a mob, making him the first Christian martyr recorded in the Bible.

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The contest on Mount Carmel was organized to prove the power of God. Elijah was challenging the prophets of Baal to a contest to determine who the true God was. The prophets of Baal had been unsuccessful in calling upon their deity to consume their sacrifice, and Elijah called upon the Lord God of Israel to do the same. The Lord answered with fire from heaven, consuming Elijah's sacrifice and proving that He alone is the true God.

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According to Luke, the third temptation of Jesus was that he should bow and worship Satan. This temptation is described in Luke 4:5-8. Satan takes Jesus up to a high mountain and shows him all the kingdoms of the world, promising to give them to Jesus if he would just bow down and worship him. In response, Jesus rebukes Satan, saying, "Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'" This temptation highlights the struggle between good and evil, and the importance of remaining steadfast in one's faith. Jesus demonstrates his unwavering commitment to God by rejecting Satan's offer, even though it would have given him great power and authority in the world.

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According to Luke's gospel, Jesus' birth in a manger was due to lack of place for Joseph and Mary in the inn. When Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem, the town was crowded due to the census and there was no room for them to stay at the inn. As a result, they had to find shelter in a stable where Jesus was born and placed in a manger. This humble and unexpected setting of Jesus' birth emphasizes his identification with the poor and marginalized, and serves as a powerful symbol of God's love for all people, regardless of their social status.

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When Nehemiah heard the news about the state of Jerusalem and its walls, his immediate reaction was to weep. Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king of Persia, but he had a deep attachment to Jerusalem and its people. He was moved by the distress of his fellow Jews and the desolation of the holy city, which prompted him to mourn and lament. His weeping showed his genuine concern for the welfare of his people and his deep faith in God, who he knew could bring about change and restoration. Nehemiah's prayer and fasting followed later as he sought God's guidance and strength to undertake the massive task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

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When the people of Israel received the minority report from the spies, they decided to go back to Egypt. In the Bible, in the book of Numbers, Moses sent twelve spies to explore the land of Canaan, which God had promised to give to the Israelites. When the spies returned, ten of them brought a negative report, saying that the land was filled with giants and that they could not conquer it. However, two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, brought a positive report, saying that they should trust in God and take the land. Despite the minority report, the Israelites chose to believe the negative report and were afraid to enter the land. As a result, they expressed their desire to go back to Egypt, which led to them wandering in the wilderness for 40 years before entering the Promised Land.

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According to the First Council at Jerusalem, a Christian was not bound to pray always in the temple. The First Council at Jerusalem was a meeting of Christian leaders in the first century A.D. who were trying to resolve a controversy about whether Gentile converts to Christianity needed to follow Jewish customs, such as circumcision and following dietary laws. The Council concluded that Gentile converts did not need to follow Jewish customs, but they should abstain from certain practices, including eating animals that had been strangled and avoiding food sacrificed to idols. The Council also emphasized the importance of living a life of chastity. However, the Council did not make it binding for Christians to pray always in the temple. This is because prayer can be done anywhere, not just in a temple or other religious building. Christians are encouraged to pray and worship God wherever they are, as long as they do so with sincerity and humility.

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The "royal law" that James referred to is "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." This law is also known as the second greatest commandment given by Jesus in the Bible. James encourages Christians to follow this law without showing partiality or favoritism towards certain people based on their social status, wealth or appearance. In essence, Christians are to love everyone equally, just as they would want to be loved themselves.

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According to the Bible, God promised to punish the house of Ahab and not Ahab himself because he humbled himself. When Ahab was confronted by the prophet Elijah, he humbled himself before God, showing repentance and humility, which pleased God. As a result, God decided to spare him from the punishment, but still promised to punish his descendants because of their wickedness.

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In the context of the statement, "the wrath to come" refers to the judgement day, which is the day of God's righteous judgement on all people. John the Baptist was addressing a group of Pharisees and Sadducees who had come to be baptized, but he rebuked them for their hypocritical ways and warned them to repent before it was too late. Therefore, the "wrath to come" refers to the judgement that they will face if they do not turn away from their sinful ways and follow God's ways.

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The gifts of the Spirit which could be referred to as "vocal gifts" are prophecy, tongues, and interpretation. These gifts are sometimes also called the "charismatic gifts" or "sign gifts" because they are associated with signs and wonders. Prophecy is the ability to speak a message from God to individuals or groups. It can involve speaking about the past, present, or future, and is intended to build up, encourage, and comfort people. Tongues refer to the ability to speak in a language that is unknown to the speaker. It is considered a sign of the Holy Spirit's presence and is often accompanied by interpretation. Interpretation is the ability to understand and communicate the meaning of a message spoken in tongues to the audience. These gifts are called "vocal gifts" because they involve communication through speech. They are considered to be supernatural manifestations of the Holy Spirit, given to believers to edify and build up the church. In contrast, gifts such as healing, miracles, and faith are not considered "vocal gifts" because they do not involve communication through speech. They are often referred to as "power gifts" because they involve the exercise of power and authority in the spiritual realm. Therefore, the gifts of the Spirit which could be referred to as "vocal gifts" are prophecy, tongues, and interpretation, and they are considered supernatural manifestations of the Holy Spirit.

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Asa is an example of a parent who admonished his children. Asa was a king of Judah who is known for his reforms and his faithfulness to God. According to the Bible, Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and removed the idols and false gods that his predecessors had set up in Judah. In addition to his reforms, Asa also took care to teach his children to follow God's commandments and to live according to His laws. In 2 Chronicles 15:1-2, we read that the Spirit of God came upon Azariah and he spoke to Asa, saying, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you." Asa took these words to heart and he admonished his children to seek the Lord and to live according to His ways. Asa's son Jehoshaphat also followed in his father's footsteps and served the Lord faithfully, which suggests that Asa's admonishments had a positive impact on his children. In summary, Asa is an example of a parent who admonished his children to follow God's commandments and to live according to His ways, and who had a positive influence on his children's spiritual lives.

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The initial evidence that the disciples had received the Holy Spirit was speaking in tongues. This happened on the day of Pentecost, when the disciples were gathered together in one place and suddenly there came a sound from heaven like a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. This was witnessed by many people who were amazed and astonished by what they saw and heard. This event marked the beginning of the spread of the gospel and the formation of the early Christian church.

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Abram's obligation in his covenant with God was to walk before God blamelessly. In the book of Genesis in the Bible, God makes a covenant with Abram (later renamed Abraham) and promises to bless him and make him the father of many nations. In return, Abram's obligation was to obey God's commandments and walk before Him blamelessly. This meant that Abram was expected to live a righteous and upright life, following God's laws and being faithful to Him. By fulfilling his obligation, Abram demonstrated his faith in God and his willingness to obey Him. This covenant with God is considered a significant event in the history of the Jewish people and is an important part of the Abrahamic religions.

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The epistle written by Paul to an individual is Philemon. It is a letter written by Paul to Philemon, a wealthy Christian, appealing to him to receive his runaway slave, Onesimus, as a brother in Christ. The letter is personal in nature and is addressed to Philemon specifically, rather than to a group of believers like some of Paul's other letters.

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Justification by faith according to Paul is the state of being acquitted and accepted by God. Paul believed that humans cannot attain righteousness by their own efforts, but rather through faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, justification by faith means that one is declared righteous by God, not because of their own actions, but because of their faith in Jesus Christ. This faith leads to acceptance and reconciliation with God, and the person is no longer condemned for their sins but considered righteous through Christ.

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Josiah carried out a religious reform in Judah. Josiah was the king of Judah who ruled from 640 BC to 609 BC. During his reign, he initiated several religious reforms, which included the repair of the temple and the elimination of idolatry. He also discovered a book of the law in the temple, which led to further reforms based on the teachings of the law. Josiah is widely considered one of the most righteous kings of Judah.

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Moses removed his sandals before the burning bush as an act of humility and respect. In the Bible, removing one's sandals was a sign of reverence and submissiveness before God. It was a cultural practice of the Israelites to take off their sandals before entering a holy place or approaching a leader in a position of authority. By taking off his sandals, Moses recognized the holiness of God's presence and showed his respect and submission to Him.

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The option that is not correct is "a dove came down upon Jesus." This event actually happened during Jesus' baptism, not the transfiguration. During the transfiguration, Jesus' appearance was transformed and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Moses and Elijah also appeared with him, and a voice was heard from heaven proclaiming Jesus as God's beloved Son.

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(a) Joshua's farewell address (Joshua 23-24)

When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, after the LORD had given Israel rest from all their enemies, he summoned all Israel, their elders, heads, judges and officers, and delivered his farewell charge.

• He reminded them of all that the LORD their God had done, fighting for them and driving out great nations before them, so that not one of God's good promises had failed.
• He charged them to be very strong and courageous, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, turning aside neither to the right hand nor to the left.
• He warned them not to mix with the remaining nations, not to mention the names of their gods, not to serve or bow down to them, but to cleave (hold fast) to the LORD.
• At Shechem he rehearsed the history of Israel from Abraham, through the deliverance from Egypt, the wilderness, and the conquest of Canaan, showing that it was God's grace, not their own strength, that gave them the land.
• He then challenged them, "Choose this day whom you will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
• The people responded that they too would serve the LORD. Joshua warned them of God's holiness and jealousy, made a covenant with them, set up a great stone as a witness, and dismissed them each to his inheritance.

(b) Two leadership qualities Joshua manifested

1. Godliness and personal commitment (exemplary faith): He led by example, publicly committing himself and his household to serve the LORD, thereby inspiring the people to do the same.
2. Courage and firm, visionary guidance: He boldly challenged the people to make a decisive choice, warned them plainly of the consequences of disobedience, and provided clear moral and spiritual direction for the nation's future.

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(a) Jesus' answer to the question, "Who is my neighbour?" - the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

A lawyer stood up to test Jesus, asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus turned the question to the law, and the lawyer answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart... and your neighbour as yourself." Jesus approved, but the lawyer, desiring to justify himself, asked, "And who is my neighbour?" Jesus answered with a parable:

A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell among robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a priest was going down that road; when he saw the man he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite came, looked at him, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where the man was; and when he saw him he had compassion. He went to him, bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, then set him on his own beast, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, "Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back."

Jesus then asked, "Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbour to the man who fell among the robbers?" The lawyer said, "The one who showed mercy on him." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." Thus Jesus taught that a neighbour is anyone in need, regardless of race, religion or status, and that neighbourliness is shown through active mercy.

(b) Three ways Christians can show good neighbourliness

1. Helping those in need, the sick, the poor, the stranded and the afflicted, with practical care and material support.
2. Showing love, kindness and compassion to all people without discrimination of tribe, religion or status.
3. Sacrificing one's time, money and comfort to relieve the suffering of others, as the Samaritan did.

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(a) Peter's guidelines on Christian living among non-Christians (1 Peter 2:11-17)

Peter addressed believers as "aliens and exiles" in the world and gave the following guidelines for their conduct among the Gentiles (non-Christians):

• Abstain from sinful desires: "I beseech you... to abstain from the passions of the flesh that wage war against your soul."
• Maintain good conduct: "Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that... they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." Their upright lives should silence the ignorant accusations of those who speak against them as wrongdoers.
• Submit to civil authority: "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution," whether the emperor as supreme, or governors sent by him to punish those who do wrong and praise those who do right.
• Do good to silence critics: It is God's will that by doing right they should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.
• Live as free servants of God: "Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God."
• Show proper respect to all: "Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the emperor."

(b) Three challenges Christians can face among non-Christians

1. Persecution, ridicule and false accusation: Christians may be mocked, slandered or opposed because of their faith and moral standards.
2. Temptation to compromise: pressure to conform to sinful practices such as immorality, dishonesty, idolatry and ungodly customs.
3. Discrimination and hostility: being treated unfairly, marginalized or denied opportunities because they refuse to follow ungodly ways.

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(a) Jesus' teaching about Himself as the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:1-44)

Lazarus of Bethany, the brother of Mary and Martha, fell sick. His sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." Yet Jesus stayed two days longer where He was, saying the illness was not unto death but for the glory of God. By the time He came, Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.

Martha met Jesus and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you." Jesus told her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha replied, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Then Jesus made His great declaration:

"I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" Martha answered, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."

Jesus taught that:

• He Himself is the source of both resurrection and eternal life, not merely a future event.
• Whoever believes in Him, even though he dies physically, will live.
• Whoever lives and believes in Him will never truly die (spiritually).

To confirm His words, Jesus went to the tomb, and after prayer cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." The dead man came out, bound with grave clothes, and Jesus said, "Unbind him, and let him go," proving His power over death.

(b) Two assurances Christians have in Christ as the Resurrection and the Life

1. The assurance of eternal life: Those who believe in Christ have everlasting life and will never suffer spiritual death, even though they die physically.
2. The assurance of resurrection from the dead: Believers are confident that, because Christ conquered death, they too will be raised to life to be with Him for ever, so death is not the end.

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(a) James' exposition on partiality in the church (James 2:1-13)

James warned, "My brethren, show no partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory." He illustrated the sin: suppose a man with gold rings and fine clothing comes into the assembly, and also a poor man in shabby clothing. If the church honours the well-dressed man, saying, "Have a seat here, please," 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 condemned this favouritism with several arguments:

• God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom He promised to those who love Him; to dishonour the poor is to insult those God has honoured.
• It is the rich who often oppress believers, drag them into court and blaspheme the honourable name by which they are called.
• The royal law of Scripture is, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself." If they show partiality they commit sin and are convicted as transgressors of the law.
• Whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point is guilty of all; partiality is therefore a serious breach of God's law.
• They should speak and act as those to be judged under the law of liberty, for judgement is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy, yet mercy triumphs over judgement.

(b) Three ways impartiality is promoted in our society

1. Equality before the law and fair justice: courts and law-enforcement treating all citizens equally regardless of wealth, tribe or status.
2. Equal opportunities in employment, education and social services: selecting people on merit rather than favouritism, bribery or connections.
3. Fair and unbiased leadership and public service: leaders, employers and officials treating rich and poor alike, and respecting the rights and dignity of all people without discrimination.

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(a) The healing of Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-14)

Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Syria (Aram), a great and honourable man, but he was a leper. On one of their raids the Syrians had carried off a little Israelite girl who served Naaman's wife. She told her mistress, "Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy."

The king of Syria sent Naaman with a letter and rich gifts to the king of Israel. The king of Israel tore his clothes in dismay, thinking the Syrian king was seeking a quarrel, for he could not cure leprosy. When Elisha the prophet heard of it, he sent word, "Let him come now to me, that he may know there is a prophet in Israel."

Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at Elisha's door. Elisha did not come out but sent a messenger, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored." Naaman was angry and turned away, offended that the prophet did not come out to him personally and call on the name of the LORD, and complaining that the rivers of Damascus, Abana and Pharpar, were better than all the waters of Israel.

But his servants reasoned with him, "My father, if the prophet had commanded you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much rather, then, when he says to you, Wash, and be clean?" So Naaman went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like that of a little child, and he was clean.

(b) Three lessons from the story

1. Humility and obedience are necessary to receive God's blessings: Naaman had to swallow his pride and obey a simple command before he was healed.
2. God can use anyone, even the lowly: The testimony of a captive little maidservant led to the healing of a great commander, showing that God uses even the humble and the young.
3. Healing and salvation come from God, not from wealth, position or human effort: Naaman's riches and rank could not cure him; it was faith and obedience to God's word through His prophet that made him whole.

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(a) Luke's account of Jesus' appearance to the men going to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)

On the day of the resurrection, two of the disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, discussing all the things that had happened. While they talked, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.

He asked what they were discussing. One of them, named Cleopas, answered in surprise, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" They spoke of Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet mighty in deed and word, whom the chief priests and rulers had crucified, adding, "We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel." They also reported that some women had found the tomb empty and had seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.

Jesus said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" Then, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

As they drew near the village, He appeared to be going further, but they constrained Him, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening." So He went in. When He was at table, He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" That same hour they returned to Jerusalem and told the eleven how the Lord had risen and was known to them in the breaking of bread.

(b) Two lessons from this encounter

1. The risen Christ is present with His people: Jesus draws near to believers, especially in their moments of confusion and discouragement, even when they do not immediately recognize Him.
2. Understanding of Christ comes through the Scriptures and fellowship: The disciples' hearts were opened as Jesus expounded the Scriptures and as He broke bread with them, showing the importance of God's word and Christian fellowship.

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(a) How greed was demonstrated in the life of Gehazi (2 Kings 5:15-27)

After Naaman the Syrian was healed of his leprosy, he returned to Elisha and urged him to accept a present. Elisha firmly refused, saying, "As the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will receive none," even though Naaman pressed him. Naaman then departed.

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, said to himself, "My master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him." His greed showed itself in the following ways:

• He pursued Naaman secretly, without his master's knowledge or permission.
• When Naaman got down from his chariot to meet him, Gehazi lied, saying his master had sent him because two young men of the sons of the prophets had just come from the hill country of Ephraim, and asked for a talent of silver and two festal garments for them.
• Naaman gladly gave two talents of silver, bound in two bags, and two garments, sending two of his servants to carry them.
• Gehazi took the goods, sent the servants away, hid the treasure in the house, and then went in and stood before his master as though nothing had happened.
• When Elisha asked, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" he lied again, saying, "Your servant went nowhere."

Elisha revealed that his spirit had gone with Gehazi and rebuked him: this was not the time to accept money, garments, olive orchards, vineyards, sheep, oxen and servants. As punishment, the leprosy of Naaman clung to Gehazi and his descendants for ever, and he went out from Elisha's presence a leper, as white as snow.

(b) Three areas in society where greed is prevalent

1. Politics and government (embezzlement of public funds and abuse of office).
2. Business and commerce (hoarding, cheating in weights and prices, fraud).
3. Religious circles (exploitation of worshippers and misuse of offerings for personal gain). Other examples include the civil service (bribery and corruption) and the family (inheritance disputes).

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(a) The message of Isaiah to the people of Judah (Isaiah 1)

Isaiah brought God's charge against Judah and Jerusalem, calling heaven and earth to witness:

• Accusation of rebellion and ingratitude: "Sons have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me." Even the ox knows its owner, but Israel did not know or understand God. They were a sinful nation, laden with iniquity, who had forsaken the LORD and were utterly estranged.
• Description of their ruined state: Because of sin the whole nation was sick, from the sole of the foot to the head there was no soundness; their country was desolate, cities burned, and Zion was left like a besieged hut.
• Rejection of empty worship: God declared He was weary of their multitude of sacrifices, burnt offerings, incense, new moons and appointed feasts; their hands were full of blood, so He would not listen to their prayers.
• Call to repentance and righteous living: "Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings... cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow."
• Offer of forgiveness and warning: "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." If they were willing and obedient they would eat the good of the land, but if they refused and rebelled they would be devoured by the sword.

(b) Two ways Christians can ensure God's holiness in their country

1. By living righteous, just lives and promoting social justice: defending the weak, the poor, orphans and widows, resisting oppression and corruption, so that the nation reflects God's holy standards.
2. By sincere worship and genuine repentance: turning from sin to God with true hearts rather than mere outward religious rituals, and encouraging others through evangelism and godly example to obey God.

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(a) Paul's teaching on the Dignity of Labour (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)

Some members of the Thessalonian church had stopped working, living in idleness and becoming busybodies, partly because of a mistaken belief that the Lord's coming was immediate. Paul corrected this with strong teaching on the value of honest work:

• He commanded the believers, in the name of the Lord Jesus, to keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not according to the tradition they received.
• He pointed to his own example: "We were not idle when we were with you... we worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you." Though as an apostle he had the right to be supported, he laboured with his own hands to set an example.
• He laid down the rule: "If any one will not work, let him not eat."
• He rebuked those who were mere idlers and busybodies, commanding them to work in quietness and to earn their own living (to eat their own bread).
• He exhorted the faithful, "Do not be weary in well-doing," encouraging them to continue in honest labour and good works.
• In 1 Thessalonians he added that they should "aspire to live quietly, to mind their own affairs, and to work with their hands," so that they may command the respect of outsiders and be dependent on nobody.

Paul thus taught that work is honourable and God-ordained, that idleness is sinful and disgraceful, and that every believer should earn his living by honest labour.

(b) Two ways Christians should uphold this teaching

1. By engaging in honest and diligent work: Christians should be industrious, avoid laziness and idleness, and earn their living lawfully rather than depending on others or on dishonest means.
2. By working to support themselves and to help others: They should labour so as to provide for their own needs, contribute to the church and society, and be able to assist the poor and needy, not becoming a burden to others.

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(a) The healing of the paralytic (Mark 2:1-12)

When Jesus returned to Capernaum, it was reported that He was at home, and so many gathered that there was no longer room, not even about the door, and He preached the word to them. Four men came carrying a paralytic (a man sick of the palsy). Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they went up and removed the roof above Him, and having made an opening, let down the pallet (bed) on which the paralytic lay.

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Some scribes sitting there reasoned in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Jesus, perceiving in His spirit their thoughts, asked, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven, or to say, Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins," He said to the paralytic, "Rise, take up your pallet and go home." Immediately the man rose, took up his pallet and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

(b) Three ways faith is relevant to the Christian

1. Faith brings healing and answers to prayer: As the faith of the four friends led to the paralytic's healing, so a Christian's faith opens the way for God's power to work in his life.
2. Faith is necessary for the forgiveness of sins and salvation: It is through faith in Jesus Christ that a believer receives forgiveness and eternal life.
3. Faith produces action and perseverance: True faith is shown in deeds; like the friends who overcame obstacles to reach Jesus, Christians persevere and act boldly in trusting God despite difficulties.

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(a) Peter's teaching on humility (1 Peter 5:1-7)

Peter, writing as a fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, gave instructions promoting humility in the Christian community:

• To the elders (leaders): He exhorted them to tend (shepherd) the flock of God that was in their charge, not by constraint but willingly; not for shameful gain but eagerly; and not as domineering over those in their charge (not lording it over God's heritage), but being examples to the flock.
• He promised that when the chief Shepherd (Christ) is manifested, they will receive the unfading crown of glory.
• To the younger: "Likewise you that are younger be subject to the elders."
• To all: "Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
• He urged them to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt them.
• He assured them to cast all their anxieties on God, for He cares for them.

The essence of Peter's teaching is that both leaders and members should serve willingly and be lowly-minded, submitting to one another and to God, who honours the humble but resists the proud.

(b) Three qualities of a humble person

1. Submissiveness and obedience: he willingly submits to God and respects lawful authority.
2. Meekness and gentleness: he is not proud, boastful or domineering, but modest in speech and conduct.
3. Selflessness and a servant heart: he serves others willingly, puts others before himself, and is content rather than greedy for gain or recognition.