GCE Christian Religious Studies 1990 past questions and answers

Adam said, "she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man" (Genesis 2:23).

At the oak of Moreh at Shechem the Lord appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land" (Genesis 12:6-7).

Rebekah's twins were Esau, father of Edom, and Jacob, who became Israel (Genesis 25:23-26; 36:1).

Joseph named his second son Ephraim, "For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction" (Genesis 41:52).

"The midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them" (Exodus 1:17).

Samuel's sons Joel and Abijah turned aside after gain, took bribes and perverted justice, so the elders asked for a king (1 Samuel 8:1-5).

Saul was troubled by an evil spirit, and his servants advised that a skilful lyre player would make him well (1 Samuel 16:14-16). David was brought in to play for this reason, and when he played, Saul was refreshed (16:23).

The Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchishua, the sons of Saul, on Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31:1-2); Ishbosheth survived and later reigned.

Asa did what was right: he put away the male cult prostitutes and removed the idols, though the high places remained (1 Kings 15:11-14).

The Babylonians slaughtered Zedekiah's sons before his eyes, then put out his eyes (2 Kings 25:7).

Sanballat the Horonite was the leading opponent of Nehemiah's rebuilding work in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:10, 19; 4:1-8).

These are the words of Hosea 6:6.

The proverb was "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge"; Ezekiel taught that each soul answers for its own sin (Ezekiel 18:2-4).

The voice said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased", confirming that Jesus is God's Son (Matthew 3:17).

Satan tempted the hungry Jesus to use His power to supply His own bodily need; Jesus answered that man does not live by bread alone (Matthew 4:3-4).

When criticised for eating with tax collectors, Jesus said He came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:27-32).

The scribes thought, "It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (Mark 2:5-7).

The sower, mustard seed, wheat and tares and seed growing secretly are parables of the kingdom (Matthew 13; Mark 4); the prodigal son is a parable of God's love for the lost (Luke 15).

Jesus said this when replacing "an eye for an eye" with non-retaliation (Matthew 5:38-39).

The Samaritan helped a wounded stranger; a neighbour is anyone in need to whom we show mercy (Luke 10:29-37).

Herod was very glad to see Jesus, for he hoped to see some sign done by Him (Luke 23:8).

Feeding the multitude shows power over nature (multiplying bread and fish); the others are healings or raising the dead (John 6:1-14).

Jesus answered that neither sinned, "but that the works of God might be made manifest in him" (John 9:2-3).

The one who climbs in by another way is a thief and robber; the shepherd enters by the door (John 10:1-3).

They put forward Joseph called Barsabbas, also named Justus, and Matthias; the lot fell on Matthias (Acts 1:23-26).

At Lystra, after Paul healed a cripple, the crowd called Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes (Acts 14:8-12).

The church at Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas and some others to Jerusalem about the circumcision question (Acts 15:2).

The "old self" is the sinful life before conversion, which believers must put off (Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9).

The promise to Abraham came not through the law but through the righteousness of faith (Romans 4:13).

Baptism means dying and rising with Christ to walk in newness of life, no longer obeying sinful passions (Romans 6:3-13).

Those who have faith are sons of Abraham and sons of God through faith in Christ (Galatians 3:7, 26-29).

Onesimus was the runaway slave of Philemon (Philemon 10-16).

"As in one body we have many members… so we, though many, are one body in Christ" (Romans 12:4-5).

The governing authorities are the government, instituted by God, to whom Christians owe obedience (Romans 13:1).

Paul told the idle to work quietly and earn their own living, showing that honest work is honourable (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12).

Paul does not want believers to grieve as others do who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

The lawless one comes with power, false signs and wicked deception, and those who refuse the truth believe what is false (2 Thessalonians 2:9-11); adherence to truth is the opposite.

James says be doers of the word, not hearers only; true religion bridles the tongue, visits orphans and widows and stays unstained by the world (James 1:22-27).

Peter continues, "as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct" (1 Peter 1:14-16).

Peter says if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but glorify God (1 Peter 4:13-16).

After Israel left, Pharaoh regretted letting them go and pursued them with 600 chariots, overtaking them by the sea at Pi-hahiroth (Exodus 14:5-9).
The people were terrified and complained to Moses (Exodus 14:10-12).
Moses said, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord" (Exodus 14:13-14).
God told Moses to lift his rod and stretch his hand over the sea (Exodus 14:15-16).
The pillar of cloud moved behind Israel, giving darkness to Egypt and light to Israel (Exodus 14:19-20).
God drove back the sea with a strong east wind all night, and Israel crossed on dry ground with walls of water on each side (Exodus 14:21-22).
God clogged the Egyptians' chariot wheels and threw them into panic (Exodus 14:24-25).
Moses stretched out his hand again; the waters returned and drowned Pharaoh's army (Exodus 14:26-28).
Israel feared the Lord, believed in Him and His servant Moses, and sang praise (Exodus 14:31; 15:1-21).
Lessons (any two): God fights for His people; trust in God in crisis; obedience to God's leader brings deliverance; God's power over nature; God punishes oppressors.

Narrate events in order and show God's actions clearly, then two lessons.

Naaman, commander of the Syrian army, was a leper (2 Kings 5:1).
A captive Israelite girl told his wife the prophet in Samaria could heal him (2 Kings 5:2-3).
The king of Syria sent him with a letter and gifts to the king of Israel, who tore his clothes in fear (2 Kings 5:5-7).
Elisha sent for Naaman and, without meeting him, told him to wash seven times in the Jordan (2 Kings 5:8-10).
Naaman was angry but his servants persuaded him; he obeyed and was healed (2 Kings 5:11-14).
He returned, confessed the God of Israel and offered gifts, but Elisha refused them (2 Kings 5:15-16).
Gehazi, Elisha's servant, ran after Naaman, lied that Elisha needed a talent of silver and two garments for visitors, and hid them (2 Kings 5:20-24).
Elisha asked where he had been; Gehazi lied again (2 Kings 5:25).
Elisha said Naaman's leprosy would cling to him and his descendants for ever; he went out a leper white as snow (2 Kings 5:26-27).
Consequences of greed: leads to lying and deceit; brings punishment and disgrace; affects one's family; loss of position and trust; dishonours God's name.

Tell both parts of the story, then list consequences of greed.

Nehemiah was cupbearer to King Artaxerxes at Susa (Nehemiah 1:1, 11).
Hanani and men from Judah told him the survivors were in great trouble and shame, the wall of Jerusalem broken and its gates burnt (Nehemiah 1:2-3).
He wept, mourned, fasted and prayed for days, confessing Israel's sins and asking God for favour with the king (Nehemiah 1:4-11).
The king noticed his sad face; Nehemiah, after a silent prayer, asked to be sent to rebuild the city (Nehemiah 2:1-5).
The king granted letters to the governors and to Asaph for timber, and sent officers with him (Nehemiah 2:6-9).
He inspected the walls secretly by night, then urged the leaders, "Let us rise up and build" (Nehemiah 2:11-18).
Lessons: concern for one's people; prayer before action; courage and determination in the face of opposition (Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem); good organisation and delegation of work; vigilance (working with weapons ready); self-sacrifice and integrity as a leader (Nehemiah 4–6).

Cover the report, prayer, request and the start of work, then lessons from his leadership.

A rich man dressed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day (Luke 16:19).
At his gate lay a poor man, Lazarus, full of sores, longing for the crumbs from his table; dogs licked his sores (Luke 16:20-21).
Lazarus died and was carried by angels to Abraham's bosom; the rich man died and was buried (Luke 16:22).
In Hades, in torment, the rich man saw Abraham and Lazarus far off and begged for Lazarus to cool his tongue with water (Luke 16:23-24).
Abraham reminded him he had received good things in life and Lazarus evil things; now roles were reversed, and a great chasm was fixed between them (Luke 16:25-26).
He begged that Lazarus be sent to warn his five brothers (Luke 16:27-28).
Abraham said they have Moses and the prophets; if they do not hear them, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead (Luke 16:29-31).
Lessons (any two): care for the poor and needy; wealth should be used to help others; there is reward and punishment after death; repent now, for there is no second chance after death; obey God's word in scripture.

Tell the parable fully, then two lessons.

There was a marriage at Cana in Galilee; Jesus, His mother and disciples were invited (John 2:1-2).
The wine ran out, and Jesus' mother told Him, "They have no wine" (John 2:3).
Jesus replied, "O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come" (John 2:4).
His mother told the servants, "Do whatever he tells you" (John 2:5).
Six stone jars for Jewish purification were there; Jesus told the servants to fill them with water to the brim (John 2:6-7).
He told them to draw some and take it to the steward of the feast, who tasted water now become wine (John 2:8-9).
The steward told the bridegroom he had kept the good wine until now (John 2:10).
Effect: this first sign manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him (John 2:11).
Lessons (any two): Jesus cares about everyday needs; obey Jesus' instructions; invite Jesus into our homes and celebrations; Jesus can turn the ordinary into the best; intercession for others.

Narrate John 2:1-11 and note the disciples believed.

The apostles were arrested for preaching, freed by an angel and brought again before the council (Acts 5:17-27).
They refused to stop preaching, saying "We must obey God rather than men"; the council was enraged and wanted to kill them (Acts 5:29-33).
Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee and teacher of the law, had the apostles put outside and addressed the council (Acts 5:34-35).
He reminded them of Theudas and Judas the Galilean, whose movements came to nothing after they died (Acts 5:36-37).
He advised them to leave these men alone: if the work is of men it will fail, but if it is of God they cannot overthrow it and may be found fighting God (Acts 5:38-39).
The council took his advice, beat the apostles, charged them not to speak in Jesus' name and let them go (Acts 5:40).
The apostles rejoiced and continued teaching daily in the temple and in homes (Acts 5:41-42).
Opposition today (any four): persecution and killing of Christians by extremists; government restrictions; false teachers and doctrines; secularism and materialism; divisions within the church; occultism and secret cults; mockery and ridicule.

Show how Gamaliel's advice saved the apostles, then four modern oppositions.

"Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness" (Romans 4:3; Genesis 15:6).
He was justified not by works, which would give him grounds to boast, but by faith (Romans 4:2-5).
He was declared righteous before he was circumcised, so circumcision was only a sign of the righteousness he already had by faith (Romans 4:9-11).
The promise that he would inherit the world came through faith, not the law (Romans 4:13-16).
He believed God's promise of a son though he was about 100 and Sarah barren; he grew strong in faith (Romans 4:18-21).
Those who believe in God who raised Jesus are justified like Abraham (Romans 4:23-25).
All who have faith are sons of Abraham and share his blessing (Galatians 3:6-9).
Role of faith today: brings salvation and peace with God (Romans 5:1); enables Christians to please God (Hebrews 11:6); gives strength in trials; makes prayer effective; produces good works and godly living.

Use Romans 4 points with references, then the role of faith.

Through faith in Christ Jesus all are sons of God (Galatians 3:26).
Baptism into Christ means putting on Christ (Galatians 3:27).
In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female (Galatians 3:28).
God sent His Son, born under the law, to redeem those under the law so that we might receive adoption as sons (Galatians 4:4-5).
God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts crying "Abba! Father!" (Galatians 4:6; Romans 8:14-16).
So we are no longer slaves but sons and heirs (Galatians 4:7).
All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God (Romans 8:14).
Ways to show it (any two): living a holy life; love for others; obedience to God's word; bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23); forgiving others; prayer and worship.

Explain adoption through faith and the Spirit, then two practical ways.

The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, the archangel's call and the sound of God's trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
The dead in Christ will rise first (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
Then those alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so be with the Lord always (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
Believers who are alive will not go before those who have died (1 Thessalonians 4:15).
The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night, suddenly, when people say "peace and security" (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3).
Before it comes, the rebellion and the man of lawlessness will be revealed, whom the Lord will slay at His coming (2 Thessalonians 2:1-8).
Lessons: be watchful and sober, ready at all times (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8); comfort one another with hope about the dead (4:18); live holy lives; do not be idle or alarmed by false reports (2 Thessalonians 2:2; 3:6-12); hold firmly to the faith.

Describe the events of the Parousia, then lessons for Christians.