WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 2021 (Objective)

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Israel lost 30,000 soldiers in a battle with the Philistines because the Ark of God was captured. The Ark of God held great significance for the Israelites as it symbolized the presence and favor of God among them. However, during the battle, the Philistines managed to seize the Ark, effectively taking away God's symbol of protection and divine presence. This loss greatly demoralized the Israelite soldiers, causing them to lose faith and resulting in a significant defeat. The capture of the Ark highlighted the consequences of their spiritual and moral decline and the absence of God's favor in that particular battle.

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Jesus' enemies accused him of perverting the nation, forbidding the payment of tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be a king before Pilate. The accusations were made during Jesus' trial before Pilate, who was the Roman governor of Judea. The religious leaders who had arrested Jesus brought him before Pilate, hoping that he would be sentenced to death. They accused Jesus of many things, including stirring up rebellion against Rome and claiming to be a king. Pilate questioned Jesus about these accusations, and Jesus answered that his kingdom was not of this world. Pilate found no fault in Jesus and tried to release him, but the Jewish leaders insisted that he be crucified. Ultimately, Pilate gave in to their demands and sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion. Therefore, the answer to your question is: "Jesus' enemies accused him of perverting the nation, forbidding the payment of tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be a king before Pilate."

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Speaker: Jesus Christ.

Audience: The armed crowd sent by the chief priests, elders and religious authorities to arrest him. Judas Iscariot was with them and identified Jesus by a kiss.

Occasion: Jesus said this during his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, after the Last Supper. The arresting party came at night carrying swords and clubs, as though they were capturing a dangerous criminal or robber. Jesus challenged the unnecessary force and secrecy of their action because he had been teaching publicly in the Temple and they had not arrested him there.

Events leading to the statement:

1. Jesus ate the Last Supper with his disciples and warned them that one of them would betray him.
2. He went with his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.
3. Jesus prayed in deep sorrow, submitting himself to God’s will.
4. Judas Iscariot arrived with an armed crowd sent by the Jewish religious leaders.
5. Judas identified Jesus by kissing him.
6. One of Jesus’ disciples drew a sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus stopped the violence and taught that those who take the sword will perish by the sword. According to Luke’s account, Jesus healed the servant’s ear.
7. Jesus then asked why they had come with swords and clubs to seize him as if he were a robber.
8. Jesus was arrested, and the disciples fled.

Meaning of Jesus’ words: Jesus was not denying that the authorities had come to arrest him. Rather, he exposed the injustice and hypocrisy of their method. He had not behaved like a violent criminal; he had taught openly. Their coming at night with weapons showed fear, hostility and an attempt to arrest him secretly. Nevertheless, Jesus allowed himself to be arrested because he accepted that the events were taking place in fulfilment of God’s purpose and the Scriptures.

Lessons from the event:

• Believers should not use violence to defend God’s work or to settle religious disagreements.
• Christians should trust God’s will even in suffering, danger and persecution, as Jesus did in Gethsemane.
• Betrayal is a serious sin. Judas’ actions show the danger of greed, hypocrisy and disloyalty.
• Religious leaders and people in authority should act justly and openly, not through false accusations, secret plots or intimidation.
• Jesus showed courage, self-control and forgiveness: he did not run away or encourage his disciples to fight.
• Christians should remain faithful to Christ in times of fear. The disciples fled, showing how fear can weaken commitment.
• God’s plan can still be fulfilled even when people act wickedly; the arrest led towards Jesus’ crucifixion and the fulfilment of his mission.

Examination point: Identify the speaker as Jesus, not Judas or one of the disciples. The key clue is that the speaker challenges the armed group for treating him “as a robber” during Jesus’ arrest in Gethsemane.

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In his teaching on faith and works, James advises people to be slow to anger. This means they should exercise patience and self-control when faced with challenging or frustrating situations. Instead of reacting impulsively or aggressively, James encourages individuals to respond with calmness, understanding, and empathy. Being slow to anger allows for better communication, conflict resolution, and the promotion of peace and harmony in relationships. It is a virtue that reflects maturity and wisdom, enabling individuals to navigate difficult circumstances with grace and restraint.

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According to Jesus, a major condition for discipleship is to renounce all that one has. This means that a person must be willing to give up everything they have, including possessions, relationships, and even their own life, in order to follow Jesus. This teaching is recorded in several passages in the Gospels, including Luke 14:33, where Jesus says, "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple." Jesus' call to renounce all that one has is a call to complete surrender and devotion to Him, and it requires a willingness to let go of anything that may hinder or distract from following Him. While baptism, overcoming temptation, and respecting parents and elderly people are all important aspects of Christian life, Jesus specifically emphasized the need for disciples to renounce all they have to follow Him.

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The instruction "You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey" was given in connection with the appointment of Joshua to succeed Moses. In the book of Numbers chapter 27, God commanded Moses to climb a mountain to see the land of Canaan that God was giving to the Israelites. God also told Moses that he would not be the one to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land because he had disobeyed God at the waters of Meribah. So, Moses asked God to appoint a successor to lead the Israelites after he was gone. God then told Moses to take Joshua, his assistant, and lay his hands on him, and "invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey" (Numbers 27:20). Moses obeyed God's command and laid his hands on Joshua, passing some of his authority to him. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that the instruction "You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey" was given in connection with the appointment of Joshua to succeed Moses as the leader of the Israelites.

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The women who visited the tomb of Jesus on the first day, according to Luke's gospel, were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. These women were among the followers of Jesus who had been with him during his ministry and had helped support him and his disciples. After Jesus' crucifixion, these women had prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body, but because it was the Sabbath day, they rested and did not go to the tomb until the first day of the week, which was Sunday. When they arrived at the tomb, they found that the stone had been rolled away and that the body of Jesus was not there. They were perplexed and didn't know what had happened. Suddenly, two men in dazzling apparel appeared to them and said, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen" (Luke 24:5-6). The women were amazed and ran to tell the disciples what they had seen and heard. This event marks the beginning of the resurrection story in the gospels, and the women who were present at the tomb play a significant role in it.

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Zerubbabel and Jeshua led the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem after the Jews returned from exile. Zerubbabel was the governor of Judah, and Jeshua was the high priest. Together, they led the first group of Jews who returned from exile in Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. They faced opposition from neighboring people who did not want the temple to be rebuilt, but Zerubbabel and Jeshua persevered and completed the temple in about 516 BC. This was a significant event for the Jewish people, as it marked the restoration of their worship of God in the temple, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah in the Old Testament describe the rebuilding of the temple and the walls of Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua.

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Peter advised the leaders of the church not to lord their leadership over their members but should rather lead with a good example. In 1 Peter 5:3, Peter instructs the elders to "not lord it over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock." Peter is urging the leaders of the church to lead by serving and providing a positive example for their members to follow, rather than using their position to dominate or control others. By doing so, they can earn the respect and trust of their members, and ultimately help them grow in their faith.

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Pilate sent Jesus to Herod for trial because he wanted to avoid being blamed for Jesus' death. Pilate was the Roman governor who had the authority to execute Jesus, but he was hesitant to do so because he found no fault in Jesus. However, the Jewish leaders insisted that Jesus be put to death, and Pilate did not want to anger them or incite a riot. Therefore, he decided to send Jesus to Herod, who was the ruler of Galilee and had jurisdiction over Jesus' case. Pilate hoped that Herod would take responsibility for the trial and decision regarding Jesus, and that he would not have to bear the blame for Jesus' death.

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James states that those who are suffering should pray for themselves. In James 5:13, he writes "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray." This shows that James believes that personal prayer is also important, in addition to the intercession of the Elders. The Elders are called upon to pray over the sick, anointing them with oil, but James also emphasizes the importance of individual prayer and faith in God's healing power.

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When David and Abishai went to the camp of Saul at Ziph, Saul and his men were fast asleep because the Lord allowed a deep sleep to fall on them. This happened when David and Abishai approached the camp of Saul to spy on him. They found Saul and his army sleeping and vulnerable, and David had the opportunity to kill Saul, who was his enemy and had been pursuing him. However, David chose not to harm Saul because he respected him as the anointed king of Israel. Instead, David took Saul's spear and water jug as evidence that he had been in Saul's camp. Later, when Saul woke up and realized what had happened, he was amazed that David had spared his life. The story illustrates David's character and his loyalty to Saul as his king, despite the fact that Saul was trying to kill him.

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The child David had with Uriah's wife fell sick and died within seven days, according to the Bible (2 Samuel 12:15-18). After David committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, he arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle and then took Bathsheba as his own wife. As a consequence of David's sin, God sent the prophet Nathan to confront him and pronounce judgment against him. Nathan prophesied that the child born to David and Bathsheba would die, and indeed the child became very sick. David pleaded with God for the child's life and fasted and prayed, but the child died on the seventh day of his illness. David then ended his mourning and resumed his duties as king. Therefore, the answer to your question is: "The child David had with Uriah's wife fell sick and died within seven days, according to the Bible."

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The caravan of Ishmaelites that bought Joseph traded in balm, gum, and myrrh.

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The discrimination in the daily distribution of relief items in the early church came up when the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jewish Christians) complained about the neglect of their widows. The Hebrews (Aramaic-speaking Jewish Christians) were taking care of their own widows, but the Hellenists felt that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. This issue prompted the apostles to address the situation and led to the decision to appoint deacons to help with the distribution of relief items so that no one was neglected.

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God decided not to divide the kingdom of Israel during the reign of Solomon because of God's love for David. God had promised David that his descendants would rule over a unified kingdom forever, and God wanted to honor that promise. Despite the fact that Solomon's reign was marked by some mistakes and sins, God chose to maintain the unity of Israel as a sign of His faithfulness to David and His love for him. In essence, God's decision not to divide the kingdom was a reflection of His covenantal love for David and His commitment to keeping His promises.

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Peter wept after he had denied Jesus because he was feeling ashamed for betraying Jesus. When Peter denied knowing Jesus, he went against his own words and loyalty to Jesus. This realization made him feel deeply guilty and ashamed of his actions. The weight of his betrayal, combined with the knowledge that Jesus was going to be killed, caused Peter to weep in remorse and sorrow.

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According to the book of Numbers in the Bible, Moses sent twelve spies, one from each tribe of Israel, to explore the land of Canaan. Among them was a spy from the tribe of Reuben, but the name of that spy is not given directly in the Bible. However, the Bible does mention the names of the twelve spies in the book of Numbers, chapter 13, verses 4-15. Therefore, we can eliminate the options that are not listed in these verses. The names of the twelve spies mentioned in these verses are Shammua, Shaphat, Caleb, Igal, Joshua, Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Sethur, Nahbi, and Geuel. So, one of the spies Moses sent to the land of Canaan from the tribe of Reuben was either Shammua, Caleb, Igal, Palti, Gaddiel, or Gaddi. However, in verse 4 of Numbers 13, the Bible specifies that the spy from the tribe of Reuben was named "Shammua, the son of Zaccur." Therefore, the correct answer to the question is Shammua.

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Jesus' response to the would-be disciple who wanted to bury his father was "Follow me and leave the dead to bury their own dead." Jesus emphasized the urgency and priority of following Him and spreading the message of the kingdom of God. When the disciple requested to first bury his father, Jesus highlighted that the duty of proclaiming the kingdom was of greater importance than fulfilling familial obligations, even those related to burying the dead. He encouraged the disciple to prioritize his commitment to following Him and let others attend to the responsibilities associated with the deceased.

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While in the house of Judas on the street called Straight, Saul (later known as Paul) regained his sight through the laying of hands by Ananias. Before then, Saul had been struck blind and had received a message from Jesus on the road to Damascus. Ananias was sent by Jesus to Saul to restore his sight, and also to baptize him, after which Saul began to preach the gospel he once persecuted. So the correct option is: "The regaining of his sight through Ananias".

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When Peter and John were set free by the Sanhedrin, they were not asked to speak about Jesus again. In Acts 4:21-22, after the Sanhedrin threatened them and released them, Peter and John went back to their fellow believers and reported what had happened, and they all prayed together. So, there was no condition or request from the Sanhedrin for Peter and John not to speak about Jesus again.

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According to the Bible, at the time Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli, the word of God was rare and there were no frequent visions. This means that communication from God was not common or easily received during that period. Samuel was later called by God and became a prophet through whom God communicated His message to His people.

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According to the Bible, Jesus made the statement "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death, remain here and watch with me" to three of his disciples - Peter, James, and John. This is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 26, verses 36-38. The statement was made at the Garden of Gethsemane, just before Jesus was arrested and crucified. He took Peter, James, and John with him and asked them to stay and watch with him while he prayed. He then went a little further away and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." Jesus was in great distress and agony, knowing that he would soon face betrayal, arrest, and death. He was asking for comfort and support from his disciples in this difficult time, but they were not able to stay awake and keep watch with him, as they kept falling asleep. Jesus then went back to them and said, "Could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that Jesus made the statement "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death, remain here and watch with me" to Peter, James, and John.

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After Solomon had the dream at Gibeon, the Lord promised to lengthen his days on the condition that he would walk in His ways. In the dream, God appeared to Solomon and asked him what he desired. Solomon expressed his desire for wisdom and discernment to govern the people of Israel effectively. Pleased with Solomon's request, God not only granted him wisdom but also promised to bless him with long life if he remained faithful and obedient, walking in the ways of the Lord. This meant that Solomon was expected to follow God's commands, uphold His laws, and lead the people of Israel in righteousness and obedience to God.

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The quote "Why do you do such thing? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear..." is from the book of 1 Samuel in the Old Testament of the Bible. The sons being addressed were children of Eli. Eli was a high priest and judge in Israel who served in the tabernacle at Shiloh. His two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were also priests, but they were known for their wickedness and corrupt behavior. The quote is from a conversation between Eli and his sons, in which he rebukes them for their sinful behavior and warns them of the consequences of their actions. Despite his warnings, Hophni and Phinehas continued to sin, and they were eventually killed in battle as a result of their disobedience. The story of Eli and his sons serves as a warning about the dangers of corruption and the importance of living according to God's commands.

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Before Joseph came to Pharaoh after his release from prison, Joseph shaved and changed his clothes. This act of grooming and changing his attire was a way for Joseph to present himself in a more respectable and presentable manner before appearing in the presence of Pharaoh, who held a position of great authority and power in Egypt. By shaving and changing his clothes, Joseph demonstrated his desire to show reverence and respect for the Pharaoh and to present himself in a way that would be fitting for the occasion.

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The gospel that states that the spirit immediately drove Jesus into the wilderness after His baptism to be tempted is Matthew's gospel. In Matthew's account, it is mentioned that right after Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness. There, Jesus fasted for forty days and faced various temptations from the devil. This event in Jesus' life is specifically described in Matthew's gospel.

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Peter holds the view that servants should be submissive and respectful not only to masters who are good and gentle but also to those who are overbearing and arrogant. In his teachings, Peter emphasizes the importance of showing respect and obedience to authority, regardless of the character or behavior of the masters. This principle is rooted in the belief that by displaying a respectful and submissive attitude, servants maintain a positive witness and reflect the teachings of Jesus. Peter encourages servants to endure hardship and mistreatment, trusting in God's justice and reward. By practicing humility and respect, even in difficult circumstances, servants can demonstrate their faith and potentially influence their masters towards righteousness.

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When Peter and John were set free by the Sanhedrin, they were not asked to speak about Jesus again, nor were they asked to join the other apostles. They were not given thirty-nine lashes each, nor were they sent to Pilate for trial.