WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 2016 (Essay)

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(a) Peter's teaching on submission to authority

In his first epistle, Peter taught Christians to live as obedient and law-abiding people so that their good conduct would silence critics and glorify God.

He wrote, "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right." He explained that it is God's will that by doing right they should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Peter told them to live as free men, yet not to use their freedom as a pretext (cover-up) for evil, but to live as servants of God. He summed up the Christian duties: "Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the emperor."

He also addressed servants, urging them to be submissive to their masters with all respect, not only to the kind and gentle but also to the overbearing. He taught that there is credit before God in enduring unjust suffering patiently, pointing to Christ, who suffered without sin and left an example that believers should follow in His steps. Thus Peter grounded submission to authority in reverence for God and in the example of Christ.

(b) Seven ways a Christian can be a good citizen

1. Obeying the laws of the land and constituted authority.
2. Paying taxes and other lawful dues honestly.
3. Praying for leaders and the peace of the nation.
4. Living peaceably and avoiding violence, riots and crime.
5. Being honest and avoiding corruption, bribery and fraud.
6. Respecting and honouring all people, including those in authority.
7. Performing civic duties such as voting, and contributing to community and national development.

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(a) James's advice to be doers of the word and not hearers only

In his epistle, James urged Christians to put their faith into practice. He first advised that every man should be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.

He told them to put away all filthiness and wickedness and to receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save their souls. Then came his central charge: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

James illustrated this with the picture of a mirror. Anyone who hears the word but does not do it is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, then goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law of liberty and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, shall be blessed in his doing.

He warned that if anyone thinks he is religious, yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, that person's religion is vain (worthless). He then defined true religion in practical terms: "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

The whole teaching stresses that genuine faith must be shown by obedient action and good works, not merely by listening to or professing the word.

(b) Two factors that hinder Christians from doing the will of God

1. Worldly desires and temptations - love of wealth, pleasure and material things draws Christians away from obeying God.
2. Fear and weakness of faith - fear of persecution, ridicule or loss, together with a weak or lukewarm faith, prevents Christians from carrying out God's will.

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(a) Events leading to the incident of the young man who fled naked

The statement comes from the arrest of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. The events leading to it were as follows:

After the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives, to a place called Gethsemane. There Jesus told the disciples to sit while He prayed. He took Peter, James and John further, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled, saying, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death."

Jesus went a little farther, fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him: "Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou wilt." He returned and found the three disciples sleeping, and rebuked Peter, urging them to watch and pray lest they enter into temptation. This happened three times; the third time He said, "The hour has come; the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; my betrayer is at hand."

Immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, came with a crowd bearing swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, scribes and elders. Judas had given them a sign: "The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him." He went up to Jesus, said "Master!" and kissed Him. Then they laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.

One of those standing by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Jesus protested that they had come out as against a robber, though He taught daily in the temple and they did not seize Him; but this was to fulfil the Scriptures. Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

At that point, a young man followed Him with nothing but a linen cloth about his body; when they seized him, he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.

(b) Four reasons why some people forsake their friends

1. Fear of danger or persecution - people abandon friends to save their own lives, as the disciples fled at Jesus' arrest.
2. Selfishness and self-interest - when friendship no longer brings personal gain or benefit.
3. Loss of wealth or status - friends desert when one becomes poor or falls from a position of influence.
4. Misunderstanding, quarrels or betrayal - disagreements and broken trust cause people to abandon one another.

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(a) How Moses responded to God's call (Exodus 3:1-4:17)

While Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro at Mount Horeb (Sinai), God appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush that burned but was not consumed. God told Moses that He had seen and heard the affliction of the Israelites in Egypt and had come down to deliver them, and He charged Moses to go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of bondage to Canaan, the Promised Land. Moses responded not with ready obedience but with a series of objections, which God answered one after another:

1. Moses shrank from the task, saying, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?" God assured him that He would be with him and gave him a sign that he would bring the people back to Mount Horeb to serve God.
2. Moses asked what he should say if the people demanded God's name. God revealed His name, "I AM WHO I AM," the God of their fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and told Moses to gather the elders and go to Pharaoh to ask permission for a three-day journey to worship God in the wilderness.
3. Moses complained that the people would not believe that God had appeared to him. God gave him three signs: turning his rod into a snake when cast down, making his hand leprous and then whole again when placed in his cloak, and turning water from the Nile into blood on the ground.
4. Moses further objected that he was not eloquent and was slow of speech. God promised to be with his mouth and to teach him what to say, since He is the Creator of the mouth.
5. Finally Moses pleaded with God to send someone else. Though God's anger was kindled, He appointed Aaron, Moses' brother, to be his spokesman before the people and Pharaoh.

Moses then accepted the call, took the rod of God in his hand and returned to Egypt to carry out his mission.

(b) Three reasons why people refuse to accept leadership roles

1. Lack of confidence, low self-esteem or fear of failure.
2. Fear of being criticized or opposed.
3. Lack of the necessary knowledge, expertise or commitment for the task.

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(a) Jesus' call of the twelve disciples

As the ministry of Jesus grew, He needed men whom He could train and send out to preach. Before choosing them, Jesus went out into the hills to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God, seeking the Father's guidance in the choice.

When it was day, He called His disciples to Himself, and from them He chose twelve, whom He named apostles, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.

The twelve He appointed were:

• Simon, whom He surnamed Peter;
• James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, whom He surnamed Boanerges, that is, "sons of thunder";
• Andrew (Peter's brother);
• Philip and Bartholomew;
• Matthew (the tax collector) and Thomas;
• James the son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus;
• Simon the Cananaean (the Zealot);
• and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Him.

Jesus called ordinary men, fishermen, a tax collector and others, not the learned or powerful. He called them personally, and they left their occupations to follow Him. He appointed them for a threefold purpose: to be with Him (fellowship and training), to be sent out to preach, and to have authority over unclean spirits and diseases. This showed that the work of the Kingdom was to continue through chosen human instruments.

(b) Four good qualities of a Christian leader

1. Humility - a willingness to serve rather than to be served.
2. Honesty and integrity - being truthful, trustworthy and free from corruption.
3. Prayerfulness and faith in God - depending on God for direction and strength.
4. Love and compassion - caring for the welfare of the people led.

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(a) The story of Hosea's marriage to Gomer

God commanded the prophet Hosea to take a wife of harlotry and to have children of harlotry, saying, "for the land commits great harlotry by forsaking the LORD." This marriage was to be a living parable of the relationship between God and unfaithful Israel.

Hosea obeyed and married Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim. Gomer conceived and bore him a son. The LORD instructed Hosea to name him Jezreel, for God would soon punish the house of Jehu for the bloodshed at Jezreel and would break the bow of Israel.

Gomer conceived again and bore a daughter. God told Hosea to name her Lo-ruhamah ("not pitied"), for the LORD would no longer have pity on the house of Israel to forgive them, though He would have pity on Judah.

After weaning Lo-ruhamah, Gomer conceived and bore another son. God said his name should be Lo-ammi ("not my people"), for they were not God's people and He was not their God.

In time Gomer proved unfaithful and went after other lovers, playing the harlot. Yet God commanded Hosea, "Go again, love a woman who is beloved of a paramour and is an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the people of Israel." So Hosea bought her back for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a half of barley, and told her to dwell with him and not play the harlot, and he would be faithful to her.

The whole marriage symbolised God's steadfast, redeeming love for Israel despite her spiritual adultery (idolatry). Just as Hosea took Gomer back, God promised to restore Israel: the names would be reversed, so that Lo-ammi would be called "sons of the living God" and Lo-ruhamah would obtain pity.

(b) Three factors that ensure a stable marriage

1. Mutual love and faithfulness: Husband and wife must love and remain faithful to each other, avoiding adultery and unfaithfulness that destroy trust.
2. Effective communication and mutual understanding: Partners who discuss issues, tolerate each other's weaknesses and forgive offences build a lasting home.
3. Shared faith and the fear of God: A couple who worship together and keep God's commandments enjoy His guidance and are helped to live in peace and self-control.

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(a) The activities of Peter in Lydda and Joppa

At Lydda: As Peter went here and there among all the believers, he came down to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, for he was paralysed. Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." Immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

At Joppa: Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas (Gazelle). She was full of good works and acts of charity, especially making garments for widows. At that time she fell sick and died, and they washed her body and laid it in an upper room.

Since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, urging him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. When he arrived, they took him to the upper room, and all the widows stood beside him weeping and showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.

Peter put them all outside, knelt down and prayed. Then, turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, rise." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He gave her his hand and lifted her up; then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. This became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Afterwards Peter stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner. Through the healing of Aeneas and the raising of Dorcas, Peter continued the healing ministry of Jesus and brought many people to faith.

(b) Two ways some pastors hide behind miracles to cause havoc in society today

1. Fraud and extortion - some pastors stage false miracles to deceive people into giving them large sums of money and property, thereby impoverishing their followers.
2. Manipulation and immorality - some use claims of miraculous power to control, intimidate or sexually exploit vulnerable members, and to divert people from proper medical help, sometimes leading to death.

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(a) The circumstances that led to the rejection of Rehoboam as king (1 Kings 12:1-20)

After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all Israel had gathered to make him king. Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had fled to Egypt from Solomon, was recalled, and with the whole assembly of Israel he came to Rehoboam with a petition, saying, "Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke upon us, and we will serve you."

Rehoboam asked them to return after three days while he sought advice:

• He first consulted the old men who had stood before Solomon his father. They advised him, "If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them, they will be your servants for ever."
• But Rehoboam forsook this counsel and consulted the young men who had grown up with him. They advised him to answer harshly, saying, "My little finger is thicker than my father's loins. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions."

When the people returned, Rehoboam followed the foolish advice of the young men and answered them harshly, refusing to lighten their burden. So when all Israel saw that the king would not listen, they answered, "What portion have we in David? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David." When Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the forced labour, the people stoned him to death, and Rehoboam fled to Jerusalem. Thus the ten northern tribes rejected the house of David and made Jeroboam king, and only the tribe of Judah (with Benjamin) remained loyal to Rehoboam. The kingdom was divided.

(b) Three factors that can lead to the rejection of a political leader

1. Oppression and harsh, insensitive rule: imposing heavy taxes and burdens and refusing to listen to the people's grievances.
2. Pride, arrogance and poor advice: despising wise counsel and relying on immature or self-serving advisers.
3. Injustice, tyranny and failure to serve the people: when a leader is corrupt, wicked or uncaring and does not promote the welfare of the citizens.

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(a) The effects of the behaviour of Eli's children on Israel as a nation (1 Samuel 2:12-36; 4:1-22)

Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests at Shiloh but were worthless men (sons of Belial) who did not know the LORD. Their corrupt behaviour and its effects on Israel were as follows:

• They abused the priestly office by seizing the best of the sacrificial meat for themselves before the fat was offered to God, taking it by force with a fork, and threatening worshippers. Thus the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for they treated the offering of the LORD with contempt, and this made the people despise the worship of God.
• They committed immorality, lying with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting, defiling the sanctuary and bringing the priesthood into disrepute.
• Because of their wickedness, a man of God (and later the young Samuel) pronounced judgement on Eli's house: both sons would die on the same day, and the priesthood would be taken from his family.
• Their sin brought national disaster. When Israel went to war against the Philistines, they were defeated and, in presumption, brought the Ark of the Covenant into battle. Israel was routed, about thirty thousand foot soldiers fell, Hophni and Phinehas were killed, and the Ark of God was captured.
• On hearing the news, Eli fell backward, broke his neck and died. His daughter-in-law, wife of Phinehas, died in childbirth, naming her son Ichabod, saying, "The glory has departed from Israel," because the Ark had been captured.

Thus the misconduct of Eli's sons led to military defeat, great loss of life, the capture of the Ark, the death of the priestly family, and a sense that God's glory had left the nation.

(b) Two lessons parents can learn from Eli's attitude

1. Parents must correct and discipline their children: Eli knew of his sons' evil but only rebuked them mildly and failed to restrain them, so parents should firmly guide and discipline their children before it is too late.
2. Parents will be held accountable for how they raise their children: Eli and his house suffered judgement partly because he honoured his sons above God; godly upbringing and putting God first are the responsibility of every parent.