WAEC Christian Religious Studies 1991 (August) past questions and answers

God rested on the seventh day, blessed it and hallowed it (Genesis 2:2-3).

God formed man of dust and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being (Genesis 2:7).

When Moses tried to stop two Hebrews fighting, the one in the wrong rejected his authority with these words (Exodus 2:13-14).

God would show His glory by destroying Pharaoh's army in the sea, so that Egypt would know He is the Lord (Exodus 14:4, 17-18).

Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes and urged the people not to rebel but to trust the Lord (Numbers 14:4-9).

God judged Eli's house because he knew his sons were blaspheming God and did not restrain them (1 Samuel 3:13).

The Philistines cut off Saul's head, stripped his armour and fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan; the men of Jabesh-gilead later took it and burnt it (1 Samuel 31:9-13). No dogs ate it.

When Rehoboam refused to lighten their yoke and threatened to make it heavier, the northern tribes rejected the house of David with these words (1 Kings 12:13-16).

Elijah asked, "If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him"; the God who answered by fire would be God (1 Kings 18:21, 24).

In the new covenant God's law would be inside people, in their hearts and minds, not only on stone (Jeremiah 31:33).

God told Ezekiel to eat the scroll written with lamentation and woe, which tasted sweet as honey (Ezekiel 2:8–3:3).

The "adversaries of Judah", people settled in Samaria by the Assyrians, offered to help build, but Zerubbabel refused them (Ezra 4:1-3, 10).

Amos meant that the rich sold innocent and poor people into slavery for the smallest debts, even the price of a pair of sandals (Amos 2:6-7). There was no justice for the poor in Israel.

Jonah later said he fled because he knew God is gracious and merciful and would relent from punishing Nineveh (Jonah 4:2).

In Luke, after the miraculous catch of fish, Simon Peter, James and John left everything and followed Jesus (Luke 5:1-11).

Jesus taught that following Him costs everything and needs full commitment (Luke 14:26-33).

In the prodigal son, the father runs to embrace his returning son, a picture of God's love for repentant sinners (Luke 15:20-24).

Jesus said, "when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face" so that only the Father sees (Matthew 6:17-18).

Jesus explained that "the enemy who sowed them is the devil" (Matthew 13:39).

After Jesus walked on the water and calmed the wind, those in the boat worshipped Him saying, "Truly you are the Son of God" (Matthew 14:33).

Riding on a donkey showed a humble king who brings peace, not war (Matthew 21:5; Zechariah 9:9).

"Let this cup pass from me" was prayed in Gethsemane before the arrest (Matthew 26:39); the others were said on the cross.

John said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).

John 4:54 calls the healing of the official's son at Capernaum the second sign; the first was water into wine (John 2:11).

Jesus said this to Martha, sister of Mary and Lazarus of Bethany (John 11:1, 23).

The council said, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching" (Acts 5:28).

When the believers were scattered after Stephen's death, Philip went down to Samaria and preached Christ (Acts 8:1-5).

All "are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24).

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

God sent His Son "to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons" (Galatians 4:4-5).

Having died to sin with Christ in baptism, believers walk in newness of life and no longer live in sin (Romans 6:2-4, 11).

"God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers" (1 Corinthians 12:28).

After thanking them for their gifts Paul says, "my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory" (Philippians 4:18-19).

Romans 13:1-7 asks for submission, taxes, respect and honour; it never asks Christians to support laws against God.

Paul says to keep away from the idle, not feed him, and warn him as a brother, but "do not look on him as an enemy" (2 Thessalonians 3:10-15).

Our earthly bodies must be changed: "this mortal nature must put on immortality" (1 Corinthians 15:50-53).

James asks, "Is it not the rich who oppress you… Is it not they who blaspheme that honourable name?" (James 2:6-7).

"Is any among you suffering? Let him pray… the prayer of faith will save the sick man" (James 5:13-15).

Elders should tend the flock "not by constraint but willingly… not for shameful gain but eagerly" (1 Peter 5:2-3).

Peter says the fiery ordeal should not surprise them; it tests them, shares Christ's sufferings and is a reason to rejoice (1 Peter 4:12-13). It is not something to seek.

When the Lord God made the earth and heavens, there was no plant, no rain and no man to till the ground; a mist watered the ground (Genesis 2:4-6).
God formed man of dust and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; man became a living being (Genesis 2:7).
God planted a garden in Eden with every tree good for food, the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:8-9).
A river from Eden divided into Pishon, Gihon, Tigris and Euphrates (Genesis 2:10-14).
God put man in the garden to till and keep it, and forbade him to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil on pain of death (Genesis 2:15-17).
God said it is not good for man to be alone; He formed animals and birds and the man named them, but no fit helper was found (Genesis 2:18-20).
God caused a deep sleep, took a rib and made woman; the man said "bone of my bones… she shall be called Woman" (Genesis 2:21-23).
A man leaves father and mother and cleaves to his wife; they become one flesh; both were naked and not ashamed (Genesis 2:24-25).
Sovereignty: God is the sole creator and giver of life; He provides for man's needs (food, work, companion); He sets the rules (command not to eat); He gave man authority to name creatures; He instituted marriage.

Narrate Genesis 2:4-25, then link each point to God's sovereignty.

Ahab son of Omri did more evil than all before him (1 Kings 16:30).
He married Jezebel, daughter of the Sidonian king, served Baal and built an altar and house for Baal in Samaria and an Asherah (1 Kings 16:31-33).
Elijah the Tishbite told Ahab there would be neither dew nor rain except by his word, to show that the Lord, not Baal, controls rain (1 Kings 17:1).
Ahab's reaction: he searched every nation for Elijah to kill him (1 Kings 18:10).
Jezebel killed the prophets of the Lord (1 Kings 18:4, 13).
Ahab sent Obadiah to search for grass to save the animals (1 Kings 18:5-6).
When they met he called Elijah "you troubler of Israel"; Elijah said Ahab and his father's house troubled Israel by forsaking the Lord and following the Baals (1 Kings 18:17-18).
Ahab agreed to gather Israel and the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:19-20).
Lessons: God controls nature, rain and drought; idols are powerless; God punishes idolatry; God protects and provides for His servants (ravens, widow of Zarephath, 1 Kings 17); God's prophets must speak boldly.

Give the reason (Ahab's idolatry), his reaction, then lessons.

Practices condemned (any three): empty feasts, solemn assemblies and festivals which God hated (Amos 5:21).
Burnt offerings, cereal and peace offerings without righteousness (Amos 5:22).
Noisy songs and harps in worship (Amos 5:23).
Worship at Bethel and Gilgal, multiplying transgression while boasting of tithes and freewill offerings (Amos 4:4-5; 5:5).
Idolatry and false oaths by the gods of Samaria, Dan and Beersheba (Amos 8:14).
Impatience with sabbaths and new moons so they could cheat in trade (Amos 8:5).
Recommended instead: seek the Lord and live (Amos 5:4, 6).
Seek good and not evil; hate evil, love good (Amos 5:14-15).
Establish justice in the gate (Amos 5:15).
Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Amos 5:24).

Name three condemned practices with references and the three replacements: seeking God, justice and righteousness.

Six days after Peter's confession, Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain (Matthew 17:1).
He was transfigured: His face shone like the sun and His garments became white as light (Matthew 17:2).
Moses and Elijah appeared, talking with Him (Matthew 17:3).
Peter offered to make three booths, for Jesus, Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:4).
A bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him" (Matthew 17:5).
The disciples fell on their faces in awe; Jesus touched them and said, "Rise, and have no fear"; they saw only Jesus (Matthew 17:6-8).
Coming down, He told them to tell no one until the Son of man was raised; He explained that Elijah had already come in John the Baptist (Matthew 17:9-13).
Significance: confirms Jesus as God's Son; shows Jesus fulfils the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah); a foretaste of His glory and resurrection; prepared the disciples for His suffering; Christians must listen to Jesus; encourages believers about future glory.

Narrate Matthew 17:1-13 and give clear points of significance.

Jesus, tired, sat by Jacob's well at Sychar and asked a Samaritan woman for a drink (John 4:5-7).
She was surprised a Jew would ask a Samaritan (John 4:9).
Jesus said if she knew the gift of God and who was asking, she would have asked Him and He would have given her living water (John 4:10).
Whoever drinks the well water will thirst again, but whoever drinks the water He gives will never thirst; it becomes a spring welling up to eternal life (John 4:13-14).
She asked for this water; He revealed her life and declared Himself the Messiah (John 4:15-26).
At the feast of Tabernacles He said, "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink"; out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water, meaning the Spirit (John 7:37-39).
Application: Jesus alone satisfies the deepest spiritual needs; He offers eternal life to all, regardless of race or past; believers receive the Holy Spirit; we should share the good news as the woman did (John 4:28-29); worship must be in spirit and truth.

Explain John 4 (and 7:37-39) and give personal application.

Saul, still breathing threats against the disciples, got letters from the high priest to arrest believers in Damascus (Acts 9:1-2).
Near Damascus a light from heaven flashed about him; he fell and heard, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:3-4).
He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" — "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting"; he was told to go into the city (Acts 9:5-6).
His companions heard the voice but saw no one; Saul was blind for three days and neither ate nor drank (Acts 9:7-9).
The Lord sent Ananias, who feared Saul, but was told Saul was a chosen instrument to carry His name to Gentiles, kings and Israel (Acts 9:10-16).
Ananias laid hands on him; something like scales fell from his eyes; he was filled with the Spirit and baptised (Acts 9:17-19).
He at once preached in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 9:20-22).
Effects (any two): persecution eased and the church had peace (Acts 9:31); he became apostle to the Gentiles and led missionary journeys founding churches (Acts 13–20); he wrote many epistles that teach the church; he defended Gentile freedom at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15).

Narrate Acts 9:1-22 then give two effects with examples.

The law shows what sin is; through the law comes knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20; 7:7).
No one is justified by works of the law (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16).
The law brings wrath and a curse on those who fail to keep all of it (Romans 4:15; Galatians 3:10).
The law was a custodian until Christ came (Galatians 3:24).
Grace is God's free, unmerited favour: we are justified by His grace as a gift through Christ (Romans 3:24).
By grace we are saved through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more (Romans 5:20).
Sin has no dominion over those under grace, not under law (Romans 6:14).
Grace is not a licence to sin (Romans 6:1-2, 15).
Significance: the law guides moral living and shows our need of a saviour; grace brings forgiveness, salvation and freedom; Christians should be humble, not boastful; live holy lives in gratitude; rely on God not self-effort.

Contrast law and grace with references, then their place in Christian life.

Paul urged the Thessalonians to work with their hands, live quietly and mind their own affairs so as to command respect and depend on nobody (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).
He set an example: he worked night and day so as not to burden anyone (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9).
"If any one will not work, let him not eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
He rebuked those living in idleness as busybodies and commanded them to do their work quietly and earn their own living (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12).
Keep away from idle brethren but warn them as brothers (2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15).
Do not grow weary in well-doing (2 Thessalonians 3:13).
Whatever your task, work heartily as serving the Lord (Colossians 3:23).
Reasons (any two): all honest work serves God and society; every profession meets a need and people depend on one another (one body, many members); work gives dignity and self-reliance; God gives different talents; despising others' work causes division.

Use 1 and 2 Thessalonians, then two reasons for respecting professions.

If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above (Colossians 3:1-2).
You have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).
Put to death what is earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5).
Put away anger, wrath, malice, slander, foul talk; do not lie (Colossians 3:8-9).
Put off the old nature and put on the new, renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator (Colossians 3:9-10).
In it there is no Greek or Jew, slave or free; Christ is all and in all (Colossians 3:11).
Put on compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness and above all love (Colossians 3:12-14).
Let the peace of Christ rule and the word of Christ dwell richly; do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus with thanks (Colossians 3:15-17).
Baptised into Christ's death, we walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).
Ways to manifest (any two): forgiving others; honesty and avoiding corruption; sexual purity; love and kindness to all; humility; regular prayer and worship.

Explain putting off the old and putting on the new, then two practical ways.