JAMB UTME - Christian Religious Studies - 2018

Maelezo ya Majibu

According to James, the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James, a New Testament book in the Bible, emphasizes the importance of faith and good works in a person's life. In James 5:16, it says that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective, meaning that when a person who is righteous prays, their prayer has the power to bring about change and is heard by God. This statement highlights the idea that a person's righteousness, or right standing with God, can have a positive impact on their prayers and the outcomes they receive.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Mark 9:29
Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.”

Maelezo ya Majibu

Abram was in Haran when this command was given to him. The command is found in Genesis 12:1-4, and it was given to Abram (who would later be known as Abraham) by God. At the time of the command, Abram was living with his father, Terah, in the city of Haran. The command was for Abram to leave his country (which was likely Ur, where he was born), his kindred (which included his extended family), and his father's house, and to go to a land that God would show him. So, to answer the question, Abram was in Haran when he received the command from God to leave and go to the land that God would show him.

Maelezo ya Majibu

According to Paul in the Bible, he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. This means that loving others is the ultimate expression of obedience to God's commandments. Paul emphasizes that all the commandments can be summed up in the instruction to love one's neighbor as oneself. Therefore, if we truly love our neighbors, we will naturally fulfill all the requirements of the law. In simpler terms, Paul is saying that loving others is the most important thing we can do as Christians, and it is the key to living a life that is pleasing to God. When we love our neighbors, we demonstrate the love of Christ, and we become more like Him. This love is not just a feeling or an emotion, but it is a conscious decision to act in a way that benefits others and reflects God's character.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The statement "I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk" was said by Peter to a lame man who was at the gate called Beautiful. According to the Bible in the book of Acts, the man was carried every day to the gate called Beautiful, where he would beg for money. When Peter and John came to the gate, the man asked them for money, but Peter said he had no money to give him. Instead, Peter said he would give the man something better - the ability to walk in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Peter then took the man by the hand and helped him stand up, and the man was instantly healed and began to walk, leaping and praising God.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

Then they led Jesus from the house of Ca′iaphas to the praetorium. It was early. They themselves did not enter the praetorium, so that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover. (john 18:28)

Maelezo ya Majibu

In the book of Numbers in the Bible, there is a story of how God provided water for the Israelites in the wilderness of Zin. When the people complained about their lack of water, God instructed Moses and Aaron to gather the people and speak to a rock in front of them. God promised that the rock would then yield water for the people to drink. However, instead of following God's specific instructions, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff, and water gushed out for the people to drink. As a result of this disobedience, God told Moses and Aaron that they would not be allowed to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. In summary, when the glory of God appeared to Moses and Aaron in the wilderness of Zin, the Lord instructed them to speak to a rock before the people's eyes, and water would flow from it. However, Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it, resulting in God's punishment for their disobedience.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Romans 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The statement "What have you to do with us O son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" reveals that the demoniacs in the country of Gadarenes were threatened by the power of Jesus. They recognized that Jesus was the son of God and had the power to torment them, which made them feel vulnerable and scared. They also seemed to imply that they knew there was a time for their eventual punishment, and they were not expecting to face it just yet. Overall, the statement highlights the fear and recognition of the power of Jesus from the perspective of the demoniacs.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

Jesus first said "It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs." This statement was in response to the Syrophenician woman who asked Jesus to cast the demon out of her daughter. Jesus used the term "children's bread" to refer to the blessings and healings he was performing for the Jewish people, and "dogs" as a metaphor for non-Jewish people like the Syrophenician woman. In other words, Jesus was saying that it wasn't appropriate to take away the blessings intended for the Jewish people and give them to someone who was not part of that group. However, the woman's persistence and faith impressed Jesus, and he ultimately healed her daughter.

Maelezo ya Majibu

1 samuel 15:14 And Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” 

15 Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amal′ekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.”

Maelezo ya Majibu

2 samual 12:18 
He may do himself some harm.

Maelezo ya Majibu

In Thessalonians, Paul advises believers awaiting the coming of the Lord to put on the "breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation" (1 Thessalonians 5:8). This metaphorical language of putting on armor is used to emphasize the importance of being spiritually prepared for the coming of the Lord. The "breastplate of faith and love" refers to the need for believers to have a strong and unshakeable faith in God's promises and to live a life of love towards others. The "helmet of the hope of salvation" emphasizes the importance of having a confident expectation that Jesus will return and save believers from sin and death, and the need to keep that hope at the forefront of their minds as they live out their faith. In simpler terms, Paul is saying that as believers, we need to have strong faith and love, and confidently hope for the salvation that Jesus will bring when he returns. These spiritual qualities will protect us and keep us prepared for the coming of the Lord.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

Acts 8:1         Following Stephen’s death in 35AD, the more radical members of the young church in Jerusalem are persecuted by the staunchly traditional Jewish hierarchy. Most of the Greek-speaking believers are scattered throughout Judaea and Samaria, while the twelve apostles – who are more traditional Hebrew and Aramaic-speaking Jews – are able to remain in Jerusalem.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The men who healed the lame man at the beautiful gate were Peter and John. This event is recorded in the book of Acts in the New Testament of the Bible. Peter and John were two of Jesus' disciples and they were on their way to the temple when they encountered a man who had been lame from birth. The man was asking for money, but Peter and John told him they had no money to give him. Instead, they offered to heal him in the name of Jesus Christ. Peter then took the man by the hand and helped him up, and the man's feet and ankles were instantly strengthened. He began to walk and even leap, praising God. This miracle caused a commotion and many people gathered around to see what had happened. Peter took the opportunity to preach to the crowd about Jesus and the power of faith in him.

Maelezo ya Majibu

John 18:28 Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the Roman governor’s residence. (Now it was very early morning.) They did not go into the governor’s residence so they would not be ceremonially defiled, but could eat the Passover meal.

29 So Pilate came outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”

30 They replied, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.”

Maelezo ya Majibu

The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Antioch was a city in ancient Greece and was one of the earliest centers of Christianity. The term "Christian" was used for the first time in Antioch to describe the followers of Jesus Christ, who were known for their faith in him and the way they lived their lives. This name was given to them by the non-Christians in Antioch, who observed the behavior and teachings of the disciples and recognized them as distinct from other groups.

Maelezo ya Majibu

and he was captured. He was taken to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced sentence on him.

10 There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes; he also killed all the officials of Judah.

11 Then he put out Zedekiah's eyes, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon, where he put him in prison till the day of his death.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The man of God whose word was ignored by Kings Ahab and Jehoshaphat was Micaiah. Micaiah was a prophet in the Hebrew Bible. When King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to war against the Arameans, they asked for advice from their prophets, who all told them that they would be victorious. But Jehoshaphat asked for another opinion, and Micaiah was brought before the two kings. Unlike the other prophets, Micaiah warned them that they would not be successful and that they would be defeated. However, both Ahab and Jehoshaphat ignored Micaiah's warning and went to battle anyway. In the end, Micaiah's prophecy came true and Ahab was killed in the battle.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Romans 12 vs 8……..he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness

Maelezo ya Majibu

According to Peter, believers who are reproached for the name of Christ are blessed because the spirit of glory rests upon them. This means that when believers suffer for the sake of Christ, they are blessed because the Holy Spirit of God comes upon them and strengthens them. This helps them endure the hardships and trials that come with following Christ and standing up for their faith. Peter is saying that the glory of God is with those who suffer for the name of Christ, and that this is a blessing that should be cherished rather than feared.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Rahab hid the two spies in Jericho. In the Bible, the story goes that Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, sent two spies to scope out the city of Jericho before they attacked. The spies stayed at Rahab's house, who was a prostitute and lived on the city wall. When the king of Jericho heard about the spies, he sent soldiers to Rahab's house to capture them. However, Rahab hid the spies on her roof and told the soldiers that the spies had already left the city. She then helped the spies escape through a window and lowered them down the wall with a rope. Because of her bravery and assistance, Rahab and her family were spared when the Israelites conquered Jericho.

Maelezo ya Majibu

In his exhortation on interpersonal relationship, Peter commends that the elders should live exemplary lives. This means that they should be good role models for others to follow. They should display the qualities and behaviors that are expected of them, such as honesty, integrity, kindness, and love. By doing so, they can inspire others to follow their example and lead a life that is pleasing to God. Additionally, by living exemplary lives, they can earn the respect and trust of others, which can be important in their role as leaders and shepherds of the community.

Maelezo ya Majibu

This quote comes from the Bible, specifically from the book of Luke, chapter 9, verse 62. In this passage, Jesus is talking to someone who wants to follow him, but asks for permission to first go and say goodbye to his family. Jesus responds by saying that anyone who puts their hand to the plough (a farming tool used to make furrows for planting seeds) and then looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God. In simpler terms, Jesus is using a metaphor to explain that if you make a commitment to follow him, you should not look back or be distracted by things from your past or present that may keep you from fulfilling that commitment. He is saying that if you want to follow him, you need to be fully dedicated and not let anything hold you back. This passage emphasizes the importance of wholeheartedly committing to Jesus and the message he brings.

Maelezo ya Majibu

King Josiah of Judah did not kill the idolatrous priests, but he did depose them from their positions and removed their power and influence. This was part of his larger religious reforms, in which he sought to return the people of Judah to worshiping the one true God and to eliminate the idolatrous practices that had become widespread in the land. King Josiah recognized the negative impact that the idolatrous priests were having on the spiritual well-being of the people, and took steps to remove them from their positions of influence so that the people could be led back to a righteous and faithful way of life.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Prophet Isaiah saw the Lord of Hosts in the temple and he was overwhelmed with a sense of awe and reverence for God's holiness. He realized the sinfulness of himself and his people and felt ashamed. However, he also praised God's glory and prayed fervently, seeking forgiveness and guidance. This encounter with God had a profound impact on Isaiah and he became a powerful prophet, speaking on behalf of God to the people of Israel.

Maelezo ya Majibu

According to the Book of Romans, they that are in the flesh cannot please God. This means that people who are controlled by their physical desires and worldly thoughts cannot live a life that is pleasing to God. It is believed that true worship and pleasing God come from having a spiritual mindset and being guided by the Holy Spirit, not just physical actions.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The sons of Eli were scoundrels. They paid no attention to the LORD or to the regulations concerning what the priests could demand from the people. Instead, when anyone was offering a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three-pronged fork. While the meat was still cooking, he would stick the fork into the cooking pot, and whatever the fork brought out belonged to the priest. All the Israelites who came to Shiloh to offer sacrifices were treated like this. In addition, even before the fat was taken off and burnt, the priest's servant would come and say to the one offering the sacrifice, “Give me some meat for the priest to roast; he won't accept boiled meat from you, only raw meat.” If the person answered, “Let us do what is right and burn the fat first; then take what you want,” the priest's servant would say, “No! Give it to me now! If you don't, I will have to take it by force!” This sin of the sons of Eli was extremely serious in the LORD's sight, because they treated the offerings to the LORD with such disrespect.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Naaman had leprosy in the Bible. Naaman was a commander in the Syrian army, but he had leprosy, which was a serious skin disease in ancient times. A young Israelite girl who was captured during a raid on Israel suggested to Naaman's wife that he should go to the prophet Elisha in Samaria for healing. Naaman followed her advice and went to Elisha's house, but instead of meeting with him, he received instructions through a messenger to dip himself seven times in the Jordan River. Initially, Naaman was skeptical and angry at Elisha's lack of personal attention, but his servants convinced him to try the treatment. Naaman followed the instructions and was miraculously healed of his leprosy. He then returned to Elisha's house to thank him and acknowledge the God of Israel. The story of Naaman's healing is found in 2 Kings 5:1-19.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Amos 7:10
Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The main reason why Peter and John were arrested by the officers of the temple was because they proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection. They were healing a man who was lame from birth and the people were amazed by this miracle. When the people asked Peter and John how they had done this, they told them it was through the power of Jesus and that he had risen from the dead. This message of the resurrection of Jesus was a direct challenge to the religious leaders of the time and they arrested Peter and John to stop them from spreading this message.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Jonah's statement implies that God hears and answers prayers in times of distress. In the statement, Jonah was in a difficult situation (in the belly of a fish) and he called out to the Lord for help. God heard his cry and answered him by having the fish vomit Jonah onto dry land, as described in the book of Jonah in the Bible. Therefore, the statement shows that God is willing and able to hear and respond to the prayers of his servants who call out to him in times of need.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Saul was rejected as king over Israel because he disobeyed God's command to utterly destroy the Amalekites. In the Bible, the book of 1 Samuel chapter 15, God commanded Saul, the first king of Israel, to attack and completely destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions as a punishment for their past sins against the Israelites. However, Saul and his army spared the Amalekite king and kept some of their valuable possessions. As a result of Saul's disobedience, God rejected him as king over Israel and chose someone else to be the next king. This event shows the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of disobedience.

Maelezo ya Majibu

This quote is attributed to King Rehoboam, who was the son of King Solomon and the successor to the throne of the Kingdom of Israel. This statement is made in the context of a confrontation with the Israelite people, who had come to Rehoboam seeking relief from the harsh policies of his father. Rehoboam's response, to threaten even greater punishment, was seen as a sign of his lack of wisdom and leadership, and ultimately led to a division of the kingdom into two separate states, with Rehoboam ruling over the southern kingdom of Judah.

Maelezo ya Majibu

These words were addressed by Jesus to the "Daughters of Jerusalem." According to the Bible, Jesus spoke these words to a group of women who were weeping for Him as He carried His cross towards His crucifixion. In Luke 23:28-31, Jesus says, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" Jesus is warning the women of the impending destruction of Jerusalem, which would result in great suffering for them and their children. He is telling them to focus on the danger that is coming and to prepare for it rather than weeping for Him.

Maelezo ya Majibu

In the letter to the Galatians, Christians are encouraged to bear one another's burden in order to fulfill the law of Christ. This means that by helping each other and sharing each other's burdens, Christians are following the example set by Jesus Christ, who taught his followers to love one another as he loved them. By fulfilling the law of Christ in this way, Christians demonstrate their commitment to living a life of love and compassion, which is central to their faith.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Prophet Isaiah saw the Lord of hosts in the Temple and was filled with a sense of awe and reverence. He realized the holiness and greatness of God, and felt a deep sense of unworthiness and sinfulness in comparison. As a result, he condemned himself and his people for their sins and called for repentance. This experience deeply impacted Isaiah and served as a turning point in his prophetic ministry, inspiring him to speak out against the sins of his people and call them to turn back to God.