WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 2011 (Essay)

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(a) The cleansing of the Temple in Matthew's Gospel (Matthew 21:12-17)

After His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple of God and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple. He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.

He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer'; but you make it a den of robbers," quoting the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah. By this He condemned the commercialisation and corruption that had turned the house of God into a marketplace of cheating and profit.

Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. When the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things He did, and heard the children crying out in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant and asked Him, "Do you hear what these are saying?" Jesus answered, "Yes; have you never read, 'Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings you have brought perfect praise'?" He then left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where He lodged.

(b) Two ways the Church is defiled today

• Turning the church into a place of commerce and materialism, where money-making, selling of miracles and exploitation of members replace true worship.
• Immoral and ungodly conduct by members and leaders, such as fraud, sexual immorality, hypocrisy and quarrelling, which pollute the sanctity of God's house.

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(a) Jesus' teaching about Himself as the True Vine (John 15:1-11)

Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser." He taught the following:

• Every branch in Him that bears no fruit, the Father takes away; and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
• The disciples were already clean (pruned) because of the word He had spoken to them.
• He urged them, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."
• "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
• Anyone who does not abide in Him is cast forth as a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned.
• If they abide in Him and His words abide in them, they may ask whatever they will and it shall be done for them.
• By bearing much fruit they glorify the Father and prove to be His disciples.
• He called them to abide in His love and keep His commandments, as He kept His Father's commandments, so that His joy might be in them and their joy might be full.

(b) Three ways this teaching is significant to Christians

• It teaches that Christians must remain united with Christ through faith, obedience and fellowship, for without Him they can do nothing.
• It shows that a true Christian must bear good fruit, that is, a life of good works and Christian virtues, to the glory of God.
• It warns that fruitless, unfaithful believers will be cut off and judged, encouraging perseverance and fruitfulness.

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(a) The report of the spies sent to Canaan (Numbers 13-14)

At the LORD's command, Moses sent twelve men, one leader from each tribe, to spy out the land of Canaan. They were to find out whether the land was good or bad, whether the people were strong or weak, few or many, and whether the cities were fortified; and to bring back some of the fruit of the land.

The spies went up and searched the land for forty days, from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob. At the Valley of Eshcol they cut down a single cluster of grapes so large that it had to be carried on a pole between two men, along with pomegranates and figs, showing the richness of the land.

On their return they reported to Moses, Aaron and the whole congregation that the land truly flowed with milk and honey, and they showed its fruit. But they added a discouraging report: the people who dwelt there were strong, the cities were fortified and very large, and they had seen the descendants of Anak, giants, in the land, as well as Amalekites, Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites and Canaanites. Ten of the spies said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we," and they spread a bad report, saying the land devoured its inhabitants and that they seemed like grasshoppers beside the giants.

Only Caleb and Joshua gave a positive report. Caleb quieted the people and said, "Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it." They urged the people not to rebel or fear, for the LORD was with them. But the congregation believed the ten and murmured against Moses, wishing they had died in Egypt, and even proposed choosing a new leader to take them back. Because of their unbelief, God decreed that that generation would wander in the wilderness for forty years and die there, and only Caleb and Joshua would enter the land. The ten faithless spies died of a plague.

(b) Two lessons from this incident

• We should trust God fully and not be ruled by fear, for with God all things are possible.
• Unbelief and disobedience bring loss and delay the fulfilment of God's promises, while faith and courage are rewarded.

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(a) The Mission of the Seventy (Luke 10:1-20)

After this the Lord appointed seventy (or seventy-two) others and sent them two by two ahead of Him into every town and place where He Himself was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest."

He sent them out with these instructions:

• They were going as lambs in the midst of wolves.
• They should carry no purse, no bag and no sandals, and greet no one on the road, so as not to be distracted or delayed.
• Whatever house they entered, they should first say, "Peace be to this house." If a son of peace was there, their peace would rest on him; if not, it would return to them.
• They should remain in the same house, eating and drinking what was provided, for the labourer deserves his wages, and not move from house to house.
• In any town that received them, they should eat what was set before them, heal the sick and say, "The kingdom of God has come near to you."
• In any town that rejected them, they should go into its streets, wipe off even its dust from their feet as a testimony against it, and declare that the kingdom of God had come near. He warned that it would be more tolerable for Sodom on the day of judgement than for that town, and pronounced woes on Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum.
• He added, "He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."

The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" Jesus told them He saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven, and that He had given them authority to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. Yet He told them not to rejoice that the spirits were subject to them, but rather to rejoice that their names were written in heaven.

(b) Two problems encountered by evangelists today

• Rejection, persecution, insults and hostility from those they preach to.
• Financial hardship, inadequate resources and lack of support for the work of the mission.

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(a) Main issues Jeremiah addressed in his prophecy of doom (Jeremiah 2-7 and related chapters)

Jeremiah pronounced judgement upon Judah and Israel, addressing the following main issues:

• Idolatry and apostasy: the people had forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters, and hewn out for themselves broken cisterns that could hold no water. They worshipped Baal and other false gods and burned incense to them.
• Spiritual harlotry and unfaithfulness: Israel had played the harlot under every green tree and on every high hill, breaking her covenant with God who was her husband.
• Social injustice and moral corruption: there was oppression of the poor, the orphan and the widow, shedding of innocent blood, stealing, lying, adultery and swearing falsely.
• Empty and false religion: the people trusted in deceptive words, saying "The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD," believing the temple would protect them while they continued in sin. Jeremiah warned that God would destroy that temple as He had destroyed Shiloh.
• Corrupt leadership: the prophets prophesied falsely, the priests ruled by their own authority, and the people loved it so.
• Refusal to repent: despite repeated warnings, the people would not turn from their evil ways.
• Announcement of judgement: because of these sins, God would bring an enemy from the north (Babylon) to destroy the land, and the people would go into exile and captivity.

(b) Two qualities of Jeremiah worthy of emulation

• Courage and boldness in speaking God's message of truth even to kings, priests and a hostile people.
• Faithfulness and perseverance, continuing to serve God through suffering, persecution and rejection.

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(a) Circumstances that led to the rejection of Saul as king (1 Samuel 13 and 15)

Saul was rejected by God on account of two major acts of disobedience:

The unlawful sacrifice at Gilgal (1 Samuel 13). Before a battle with the Philistines at Michmash, Samuel had told Saul to wait seven days for him to come and offer the sacrifices. When the appointed time passed and Samuel had not yet arrived, and Saul saw his soldiers scattering in fear, he grew impatient and himself offered the burnt offering, a duty reserved for the priest. As soon as he finished, Samuel arrived and rebuked him for acting foolishly and not keeping the commandment of the LORD. Samuel announced that because of this his kingdom would not continue, and that God had sought out a man after His own heart to be prince over the people.

The sparing of Agag and the best of the spoil (1 Samuel 15). God commanded Saul, through Samuel, to attack the Amalekites and utterly destroy them and all they had, sparing nothing, in punishment for what Amalek did to Israel on the way from Egypt. But Saul and the people spared Agag, king of the Amalekites, and kept the best of the sheep, oxen and other good things, destroying only what was worthless. When Samuel confronted him, Saul first claimed he had obeyed, then blamed the people, saying they kept the animals to sacrifice to God. Samuel replied that to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams, and that rebellion is as the sin of divination. He declared, "Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king." Samuel then hewed Agag in pieces, and the LORD repented that He had made Saul king.

(b) Two consequences of Saul's rejection as king

• The kingdom was taken from him and given to David, and his dynasty could not continue.
• The Spirit of the LORD departed from him and an evil spirit tormented him, leading to jealousy, mental torment and eventual ruin.

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(a) Features of the New Life in Christ as stated by Paul in Colossians (Colossians 3:1-17)

Paul taught that those raised with Christ have entered a new life, whose features are:

• They should seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, and set their minds on things above, not on things on earth, for they have died and their life is hidden with Christ in God.
• They must put to death what is earthly in them: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry, for on account of these the wrath of God comes.
• They must put away anger, wrath, malice, slander, foul talk and lying, having put off the old nature with its practices.
• They have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
• As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, they must put on compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness and patience.
• They should forbear one another and forgive each other, as the Lord forgave them.
• Above all they must put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
• The peace of Christ should rule in their hearts, and they should be thankful.
• The word of Christ should dwell in them richly, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
• Whatever they do in word or deed, they should do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

(b) Three practices which can have a negative effect on the Christian community

• Immorality and sexual impurity such as fornication and adultery.
• Anger, malice, slander, backbiting and quarrelling among members.
• Covetousness, greed, dishonesty and lying.

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(a) The mission of Peter in Lydda and Joppa (Acts 9:32-43)

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

At Joppa. In nearby Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity, especially making garments for widows. At that time she fell sick and died, and her body was washed and laid in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men urging him to come without delay.

Peter went with them, and when he arrived they took him to the upper room, where all the widows stood weeping and showing the tunics and garments 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 called the saints and widows and presented her alive.

This became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

(b) Three lessons from this mission

• Faith in the name of Jesus Christ brings healing and even raises the dead; the power of God works through His faithful servants.
• A life of good works and charity, like that of Dorcas, is precious and leaves a lasting testimony.
• Miracles and genuine acts of God draw people to faith, for many turned to the Lord and believed.

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(a) Main features of God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12, 15, 17)

God entered into a covenant with Abraham (formerly Abram), and its main features were:

• God promised to make Abraham a great nation and to make his name great, so that he would be a blessing.
• God promised to bless those who blessed him and curse those who cursed him, and that in him all the families of the earth would be blessed.
• God promised to give the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants as an everlasting possession.
• God promised Abraham numerous descendants, as many as the stars of heaven and the sand of the seashore, though he was old and childless.
• God changed his name from Abram to Abraham, meaning "father of a multitude," and Sarai's to Sarah.
• God promised that kings would come from him and that He would be God to him and to his descendants after him.
• Circumcision of every male on the eighth day was given as the sign of the covenant.
• God foretold that his descendants would be strangers and slaves in a foreign land for four hundred years, after which they would come out with great possessions.
• The covenant was sealed with a sacrifice of animals cut in two, and a smoking fire pot and flaming torch passed between the pieces.

(b) Three reasons for covenant relationships

• To establish trust, unity and loyalty between the parties involved.
• To bind the parties to specific promises and obligations that must be faithfully kept.
• To guarantee protection, blessing and mutual benefit, and to seal peace or reconciliation.

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(a) Peter's advice to Christians living among non-Christians (1 Peter 2:11-17; 3:8-17)

Peter counselled the believers, whom he called aliens and exiles, on how to live among unbelievers:

• They should abstain from the passions of the flesh that war against the soul.
• They should maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that though accused of doing wrong, the outsiders may see their good deeds and glorify God.
• They should be subject to every lawful human authority, whether the emperor or governors, for the Lord's sake, and by doing right silence the ignorance of foolish men.
• They should honour all men, love the brotherhood, fear God and honour the emperor.
• They should have unity of spirit, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart and a humble mind.
• They should not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but bless instead, for to this they were called.
• They should always be prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in them, yet do so with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience.
• If they must suffer, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.

(b) Three ways Christians can promote good relationship with non-Christians

• By living an exemplary, honest and loving life that reflects Christ and wins the respect of others.
• By showing kindness, tolerance and readiness to help non-Christians in their needs.
• By avoiding provocation and returning good for evil, thus living peaceably with all people.

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(a) The Christian attitude in the face of persecution according to Peter (1 Peter 3:13-17; 4:12-19)

Peter counselled believers on how to react when they suffer for their faith:

• They should not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that comes to test them, as though something strange were happening; suffering for Christ is to be expected.
• They should rejoice in so far as they share Christ's sufferings, so that they may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.
• If they are reproached for the name of Christ, they are blessed, because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon them.
• They must make sure they suffer as Christians and not as murderers, thieves, wrongdoers or mischief-makers; there is no honour in suffering for evil.
• Even if they suffer for righteousness' sake, they are blessed; they should have no fear of their persecutors nor be troubled.
• They should in their hearts reverence Christ as Lord, and always be ready to give a gentle and reverent defence of their hope.
• It is better, if it be God's will, to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.
• Those who suffer according to God's will should entrust their souls to a faithful Creator and continue to do good, not glorifying persecution but glorifying God in that name.

(b) Three types of persecution Christians may encounter today

• Physical persecution such as beating, imprisonment, torture or death for the faith.
• Verbal and social persecution such as insults, mockery, slander, discrimination and rejection.
• Economic persecution such as loss of jobs, denial of promotion, or being deprived of business and opportunities because of one's faith.

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(a) Paul's arguments in defence of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15)

Answering those in Corinth who denied the resurrection of the dead, Paul argued as follows:

• He reminded them of the gospel he preached and which they had received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
• He listed the witnesses of the risen Christ: He appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the Twelve, then to more than five hundred brethren at once, most of whom were still alive, then to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all to Paul himself.
• He argued that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then their preaching is in vain and their faith is in vain.
• Furthermore, the apostles would be found false witnesses of God, believers would still be in their sins, and those who had died in Christ would have perished.
• If Christians have hope in Christ for this life only, they are of all people most to be pitied.
• He declared triumphantly, "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep." As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
• He explained the nature of the resurrection body: it is sown perishable and raised imperishable, sown in dishonour and raised in glory, sown a natural body and raised a spiritual body.
• He proclaimed that death is swallowed up in victory: "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" and gave thanks to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(b) Three ways the Resurrection is significant to believers

• It assures believers of victory over death and the hope of their own resurrection and eternal life.
• It confirms that Christ is truly the Son of God and that the Christian faith and preaching are not in vain.
• It guarantees the forgiveness of sins and gives believers courage, hope and motivation to labour faithfully for the Lord.