Christian Religious Knowledge 2005 Jamb Examination

In the parable, Jesus explained that when the shepherd finds the lost sheep, he calls others to rejoice with him. This reflects God’s great joy over one sinner who repents. The action emphasizes God’s loving pursuit of His children and His delight in their return.

The shepherd’s call for rejoicing signifies community celebration in heaven when a sinner turns from sin. It illustrates that no one is too insignificant for God’s love. Through this parable, Jesus highlights divine compassion, forgiveness, and restoration.

When Jesus appeared to the disciples on the evening of the resurrection, His first words were “Peace be with you.” This was significant because the disciples were afraid and confused, hiding after His crucifixion. His greeting brought reassurance and confirmed the reality of His resurrection.

This pronouncement of peace was more than a casual greeting; it symbolized spiritual calmness, reconciliation with God, and the gift of divine peace that Christ alone provides. It marked the beginning of their bold mission as witnesses of the risen Lord.

When the devil tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread, His reply was “Man shall not live by bread alone.” This response highlights that spiritual nourishment from God’s word is more vital than physical sustenance. Jesus resisted the temptation by relying on scripture.

The answer reveals that obedience to God takes precedence over satisfying physical needs. By quoting the word of God, Jesus demonstrated the proper way to overcome temptation. Believers are reminded to prioritize God’s will above material desires in their walk of faith.

Bar-Jesus, also called Elymas the sorcerer, opposed Paul and Barnabas when they preached to the proconsul. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebuked him with blindness because he sought to prevent the proconsul from believing. This was a divine judgment against his resistance to God’s truth.

The miracle confirmed God’s power and gave credibility to the apostles’ message. The proconsul, witnessing this, believed in the Lord. It demonstrates that God defends His word against opposition and will judge those who deliberately resist His truth.

The statement, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel,” was made by the crowd after Jesus healed the dumb demoniac. This miracle was extraordinary because the man not only regained his speech but was also freed from demonic oppression. The crowd marvelled at such power and authority.

The reaction reflects the uniqueness of Christ’s ministry and His superiority over demonic forces. It emphasizes that His works were unprecedented in Israel’s history, pointing to His divine mission and authority as the promised Messiah.

Jesus told His disciples that the new commandment was to love one another. This was not merely emotional affection but sacrificial love modeled after His own love for them. By this, the disciples would be recognized as true followers of Christ.

The emphasis on love as a commandment shows its centrality in Christian faith. Love fosters unity, forgiveness, and service. Without love, all religious practice becomes empty. Therefore, Jesus declared love as the identifying mark of genuine discipleship.

Jesus instructed the seventy to heal the sick and proclaim the kingdom of God. Their mission combined practical acts of mercy with spiritual proclamation, showing that God’s kingdom addresses both physical and spiritual needs.

This charge emphasized dependence on God rather than human ability. By healing and preaching, the disciples demonstrated the nearness of God’s reign. Their work was a continuation of Christ’s ministry, showing that the gospel brings wholeness to body and soul.

The first disciples called by Jesus were Simon Peter, Andrew his brother, James, and John the sons of Zebedee. These men were fishermen whom Jesus called from their daily work to become “fishers of men.” Their response showed immediate obedience and faith.

This calling highlights the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and the foundation of the apostolic community. Their ordinary backgrounds reveal that God chooses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. Their obedience serves as an example for all who are called to follow Christ.

The woman whose heart the Lord opened was Lydia, a seller of purple goods in Philippi. She listened attentively to Paul’s message and accepted the gospel. Her conversion demonstrates God’s initiative in salvation and the openness of her heart to His word.

Lydia later hosted Paul and his companions, becoming one of the first converts in Europe. Her response shows the importance of hospitality and faith in the spread of Christianity. This story illustrates how God prepares hearts to receive the gospel message.

Naboth was falsely accused of cursing God and the king after he refused to sell his ancestral vineyard to King Ahab. Jezebel arranged for false witnesses to accuse him, and as a result Naboth was stoned to death. The charge was a fabricated pretext to seize his land.

This event reveals the corruption and abuse of power in Israel at the time. It also highlights the injustice suffered by the righteous. The story serves as a warning against covetousness, false testimony, and the misuse of authority for selfish gain.