WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 2002

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The circumstances that led to the Council of Jerusalem was the preaching of Judaizers about the rite of circumcision. Judaizers were a group of Jewish Christians who taught that Gentile believers needed to be circumcised and follow Jewish customs in order to be saved. This caused a disagreement and controversy within the early Christian community, particularly between Paul and some of the Jewish Christians who were promoting this idea. The Council of Jerusalem was called to address this issue and determine whether or not Gentile believers needed to follow Jewish customs, particularly circumcision, in order to be considered part of the Christian community.

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The correct option is "Having great regard for the words of their father." The sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests who served in the temple but they were corrupt and engaged in several unethical practices. They would forcefully take the raw sacrificial meat meant for God, and they would also disregard the advice and concerns of the worshippers. They treated the offering of the Lord with contempt by stealing and consuming it. However, they did not have great regard for the words of their father Eli, who was also a priest and a judge. In fact, they disobeyed his warnings and continued with their corrupt practices.

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The question "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" was directed to Mary Magdalene and the other women. This question is recorded in the Gospel of Luke and was asked by two men in dazzling clothes who appeared to them at the tomb where Jesus' body had been placed after his crucifixion. The women had come to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body with spices, but when they found the tomb empty, the two men asked them this question to remind them that Jesus had risen from the dead and was alive, and they should not be seeking him in a tomb.

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The Early Christians emphasized unity for the survival of the Gospel in the face of stiff opposition, the establishment of a system of congregational worship, and the practical manifestation of love for one another. However, they did not emphasize unity for mustering sufficient people to fight for their human rights. Instead, they taught that Christians should submit to earthly authorities and seek to live in peace with all people.

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After Stephen's death, the persecution against the church in Jerusalem intensified, causing many believers to scatter to other regions, which resulted in the spread of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem. This event led to the expansion of the early church beyond its Jewish origins and into the Gentile world, fulfilling Jesus' command to take the Gospel to all nations. Additionally, the scattering of the believers resulted in the establishment of new churches and the strengthening of existing ones. Thus, the death of Stephen, though tragic, led to the growth and strengthening of the church, making it more of a blessing than a curse.

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In the context of the Bible, Peter was referring to the "household of God" as the Christian community, which is made up of believers who have accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Peter's statement suggests that judgement will begin with the Christians first, as they are the ones who have received the truth and knowledge of God's will. Essentially, Peter is saying that Christians will be held to a higher standard of accountability and will face judgement before the non-believers. This is in line with the idea that to whom much is given, much is expected.

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The Triumphal Entry refers to the event when Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, while the people waved palm branches and shouted "Hosanna!" This event is significant because it was seen as a declaration of Jesus' claim to be the king of the Jews, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. It was also the start of the final week of Jesus' life, which culminated in his death and resurrection.

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The scribe and the priest who saw a wounded traveler on the roadside passed by him because he was in a position to defile them. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus tells the story of a man who was beaten, robbed, and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest and a Levite passed by the injured man without helping him, but a Samaritan, who was despised by the Jews, stopped to care for him. The reason why the priest and the Levite did not help the man was that they were concerned about becoming ceremonially unclean by touching him, as he was bleeding and they were on their way to perform their religious duties.

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Isaiah called upon the people of Israel to come to the Lord with holiness and social justice. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet warns the Israelites against their unfaithfulness to God and their failure to live righteously. He calls them to turn back to God and to live holy lives, which involves treating others with justice and compassion. Isaiah emphasizes that true worship of God involves not just outward religious practices like sacrifices and prayers, but also living with integrity and treating others with fairness and compassion. Therefore, the people are called to pursue holiness in their daily lives and promote social justice in their society.

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Jesus warned his disciples that when they were brought before governors or authorities, they should not be anxious about what to say. Jesus told them that the Holy Spirit would give them the words to speak at that time.

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The phrase "Come now, let us reason together" is from Isaiah 1:18, and it refers to God inviting people to come to him and discuss their situation. The second part of the verse continues to explain that even though their sins are deep and red like scarlet, God can make them white as snow. This is an expression of God's grace and willingness to forgive sins and cleanse people from their guilt. Therefore, the answer is "white as snow."

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Jesus proved his claim of being the light of the world by restoring sight to the man born blind. In John 9, Jesus spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud on the man's eyes. He then instructed the man to wash his eyes in the pool of Siloam, and the man was able to see. This miraculous healing demonstrated Jesus' power and authority as the Son of God and the promised Messiah, who came to bring spiritual and physical healing to the world.

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Paul taught in Galatians that the law was a custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. In other words, Paul is saying that the law served as a temporary guardian, leading us to Christ who would justify us by faith. Prior to Christ, people relied on the law to guide them, but now we are justified by faith in Christ rather than by following the law. Therefore, we no longer have to live according to the dictates of the law, but rather we are called to live by faith in Christ.

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In the book of Romans, Paul teaches that man is justified by his faith in Jesus Christ. He explains that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and that the gift of righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul argues that no amount of good deeds or self-righteousness can justify man before God, but rather it is through faith in Jesus Christ that man is made right with God.

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Jesus admonished believers not to practice religious piety in public, otherwise they would have their reward from men instead of from God. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus specifically warns against practicing one's piety in front of others to be seen by them, such as giving to the needy or praying. He encourages believers to do these things in private so that their heavenly Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward them. The emphasis is on genuine humility and piety, rather than seeking recognition or praise from others.

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The spiritual gift that is not enumerated by Paul in the first Epistle to the Corinthians is "hearing". In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul lists various spiritual gifts including wisdom, healing, and speaking in tongues, but there is no mention of the gift of hearing. The closest gift to hearing that is mentioned is the gift of discernment, which involves the ability to distinguish between spirits.

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God ensured that Abram had really broken from his past by changing his name to Abraham. The name change symbolized a new beginning for Abram and was a sign of the covenant between God and him. God promised that Abraham would become the father of many nations and that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. By changing his name, God was reminding Abraham of his new identity and his role as the father of many nations.

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The eating of the scroll by prophet Ezekiel was an indication that he must digest what is inside the scroll before communicating it to others. In other words, he needed to internalize the message of the scroll before he could preach it to the people. The act of eating the scroll symbolizes the complete absorption of the message, and the subsequent sharing of the message comes from within, as it has become a part of the prophet. Therefore, the eating of the scroll was a visual representation of the prophet's responsibility to fully understand and internalize the message before sharing it with others.

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This statement refers to the biblical concept of marriage, where a man leaves his parents and unites with his wife, becoming one flesh. This implies a deep and intimate connection between the husband and wife, forming a bond that is not easily broken. The phrase "one flesh" suggests the physical and emotional unity of the couple, representing their commitment to each other in a sacred union.

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In the Bible, when Isaiah saw a vision of the Lord seated on His throne, he felt unworthy because he was a man of unclean lips. Then, one of the seraphim flew to him with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. With it, he touched Isaiah's mouth and said his guilt was taken away and his sin atoned for. Therefore, the burning coal symbolizes the cleansing of Isaiah's sins and the atonement of his guilt, making him worthy to speak for God.

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The option that was not indicative of Solomon's proverbial wisdom was "Building of temples for his foreign deities". This is because building temples for foreign gods goes against the worship of the one true God, which is the foundation of wisdom according to Solomon. The other options, such as the utterance of thousands of proverbs and the construction of the magnificent temple for the Lord, demonstrate his wisdom and devotion to God. Additionally, his judgment in the case of the two harlots showcases his wisdom in discerning the truth and making a just decision.

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The conversation between Jesus and the two men going to Emmaus revealed that Jesus had resurrected from the dead. During the conversation, Jesus explained the prophecies in the scriptures concerning himself, beginning from Moses and all the Prophets, which pointed to his suffering, death, and resurrection. When they reached Emmaus and sat to eat, Jesus broke bread with them, and their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. Jesus then vanished from their sight, and the two men understood that it was Jesus who had been with them all along.

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The three Jews thrown into the fiery furnace came out unhurt because of their faith and confidence. When King Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into a fiery furnace for not worshipping his idol, they refused to bow down and instead professed their faith in God. The king was enraged and ordered the furnace to be heated up seven times hotter than usual. However, when the three were thrown into the furnace, they were not harmed. In fact, the king saw a fourth figure in the furnace who appeared like a son of the gods. This shows that the three Jews had faith in God and were confident that He would protect them, which He did.

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The covenant between God and Israel on Mount Sinai was sealed with the blood of oxen. This is described in Exodus 24, where Moses sprinkled the blood of oxen on the altar and on the people, saying "Behold the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you." The covenant included the Ten Commandments and other laws, and was intended to establish Israel as God's chosen people. The blood of the oxen represented the seriousness and permanence of the covenant, as blood was seen as a symbol of life and death.

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The option that did not feature in James' teaching on faith without works is "presenting sin offerings to God". James taught that faith without works is dead and that true faith should be demonstrated by good works. He gave examples of how faith and works are intertwined, such as Abraham's willingness to offer his only son and Rahab's handling of the two spies. He also mentioned the belief by the demons that there is one God, which is not enough for salvation because they do not demonstrate their faith through good works. However, he did not mention presenting sin offerings to God as an example of demonstrating faith through good works.

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Paul commended the Philippians for surpassing other churches in giving and receiving. This means that they were actively involved in supporting Paul's ministry and providing for the needs of others, both materially and spiritually. Their generosity and willingness to share their resources stood out among other churches, and Paul praised them for it.

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Paul wrote to Philemon to plead for forgiveness for Onesimus. Explanation: Onesimus was a slave who had run away from Philemon, a Christian who lived in Colossae. He had come into contact with Paul while in prison and had become a Christian. Paul wrote a letter to Philemon to plead for forgiveness for Onesimus and to ask Philemon to receive him back not as a slave but as a brother in Christ. In the letter, Paul emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in Christian relationships.

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In 1 Corinthians, St. Paul argues that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fundamental tenet of the Christian faith, and without it, the faith itself would be meaningless. He further argues that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ himself has not been raised from the dead, and if Christ has not been raised, then the Christian faith is in vain. Moreover, if Christ has not been raised, then believers' faith is futile, and they are still in their sins. Finally, if there is no resurrection, then Christians who have already died have perished, and their faith and hope in Christ were for nothing. Therefore, St. Paul asserts that the resurrection of Christ is a critical element of the Christian faith, and without it, the faith itself would be meaningless.

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Jesus walked on the sea to show his disciples that he was in control. According to the Bible, Jesus' disciples were in a boat, and a strong wind was blowing. Suddenly, they saw Jesus walking on the water towards them, and they were frightened, thinking they had seen a ghost. Jesus reassured them, saying, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." (Matthew 14:27). Peter then asked Jesus to command him to come out on the water too. Jesus agreed, and Peter walked on the water towards Jesus, but when he saw the wind, he became afraid and began to sink. Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:31). Through this miracle, Jesus demonstrated his power and authority over the elements, and he proved to his disciples that he was in control even in the midst of the storm.

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Peter and John were arrested and imprisoned by the Jewish leaders because they were proclaiming Jesus' resurrection.

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The Philippians sent gifts to Paul through Epaphroditus.

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According to St Luke's account of the Transfiguration, the two men who appeared to Jesus were Moses and Elijah. They were seen talking with Jesus about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. (Luke 9:28-31) In other words, they discussed Jesus' upcoming death and resurrection, which would take place in Jerusalem.

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Peter advised Christians under persecution to put on an attitude of faith. This means that they should trust in God and His promises, even in the midst of trials and tribulations. Christians were encouraged to hold on to their faith and remain steadfast in the face of persecution, knowing that their reward is in heaven. Resistance and retaliation were not encouraged as they could lead to more violence and harm. Pride was also not advised as it could lead to arrogance and self-righteousness, which is contrary to the humble and selfless nature of Christianity.

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Justification by faith means being accepted by God based on faith in Jesus Christ rather than by any works or righteousness that we may have. It is through grace that we are justified, meaning that it is a gift from God that we receive by faith. This is in contrast to the idea that we can earn our salvation through good works or by following the law. In essence, it means that our faith in Jesus Christ is what saves us, and not our own actions or merits.

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Before the arrival of Judas in Gethsemane, Jesus prayed for the cup to pass from him. This means that Jesus was distressed about his impending arrest and crucifixion and he prayed to God for a way out. He was asking if there was any other way to fulfill his mission without going through the agony and pain of crucifixion. This shows Jesus' human side and his willingness to submit to God's will even if it was difficult.

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King Josiah was inspired to reform the worship of God in Judah by the contents of the book of the law. The book was found in the temple during the repairs ordered by King Josiah. This discovery led to Josiah's realization that the people of Judah had strayed far from the commands of God and needed to return to the ways of their ancestors. He immediately set out to implement reforms that included the removal of idols and the restoration of proper worship of God. The book of the law played a pivotal role in this reform, and Josiah is remembered as one of the most righteous kings of Judah.

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In his epistle, James emphasizes that true religion involves not just hearing and preaching the word of God but also practical acts of kindness and purity. Specifically, he highlights the importance of visiting orphans and widows in their distress, and keeping oneself unstained from the world. James emphasizes that faith without works is dead, and that true religion involves not just believing in God, but also living out one's faith through acts of compassion and righteousness.

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David gave Uriah leave to go to his house and wash his feet in order to conceal his adultery with Bathsheba. David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and wanted to cover up his sin. So, he called Uriah back from the battle and encouraged him to go home and spend time with his wife. David's plan was that Uriah would sleep with Bathsheba, and then the child that was born would be considered Uriah's. However, Uriah was too loyal to his fellow soldiers to enjoy such pleasures while they were still in the field of battle. So, David had to devise another plan to cover up his sin.

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Jesus sent out the Seventy to every town and place he was to visit. In Luke 10:1-12, Jesus instructs the Seventy to go ahead of him to every town and place where he intended to go. They were to proclaim the message of peace and the kingdom of God, heal the sick and declare that the kingdom of God is near. The Seventy were to rely on God's provision for their needs, and not to carry money bags, knapsacks or sandals. If they were welcomed in a town, they were to stay and eat whatever was given to them, heal the sick and proclaim the message. If a town rejected them, they were to leave and shake off the dust from their feet as a testimony against them.

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The trial of Jesus was transferred from the High Priest's court to Pilate because the High Priest and the Sanhedrin did not have the authority to impose the death penalty, which was what they were seeking for Jesus. Therefore, they brought Jesus to Pilate, the Roman Governor, who had the power to impose the death penalty. Additionally, Pilate was the representative of the Roman Empire in the region, so it was necessary for him to be involved in such a serious case involving a potential threat to the peace and order of the region.

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