Christian Religious Knowledge 2008 Jamb Examination

In Matthew 17:1–3 and Luke 9:28–31, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus during the Transfiguration. Their presence symbolized the Law and the Prophets, two major divisions of the Old Testament that testified about the coming of the Messiah. Moses represented the Law, while Elijah represented the Prophets. This scene emphasized that Jesus is the fulfillment of both the Law and the Prophets. God’s voice declaring, 'This is my beloved Son, listen to him,' showed that Christ’s authority surpasses all others and that He is the center of God’s redemptive plan.

In Acts 15:1–6, some men from Judea taught that circumcision was necessary for salvation. This dispute led to sharp debate in the early church and required resolution. As a result, the apostles and elders gathered at the council in Jerusalem to discuss the matter. The council concluded that Gentile believers were not bound by the requirement of circumcision, affirming that salvation comes by grace through faith in Christ alone. This decision was crucial in shaping the universal message of the gospel.

According to John 2:1–2, Jesus attended the wedding in Cana of Galilee because He had been invited, along with His disciples. His mother Mary was also present at the event. This occasion provided the setting for His first recorded miracle. At the wedding, Jesus turned water into wine when the hosts ran out, demonstrating His divine power. The miracle revealed His glory, and His disciples began to believe in Him more firmly as the Messiah.

In Acts 2:16–18, Peter quoted from the prophecy of Joel (Joel 2:28–32) on the Day of Pentecost to explain the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The prophecy foretold that in the last days God would pour out His Spirit upon all people, enabling prophecy, visions, and dreams. This fulfillment demonstrated that the coming of the Holy Spirit was part of God’s divine plan, empowering the church to spread the gospel and marking the beginning of a new covenant era.

In Luke 10:3, when Jesus sent out the seventy disciples, He told them they were like lambs among wolves. This imagery highlighted the dangers, opposition, and hostility they would face while carrying out their mission. Despite the difficulties, Jesus assured them of God’s protection and provision. The statement emphasized the need for courage, reliance on God, and perseverance in spreading the message of the kingdom amidst challenging circumstances.

In Judges 16:20, Samson declared that he would free himself as before, but he did not know that the Lord had departed from him. This happened after Delilah betrayed him by having his hair cut, breaking his Nazirite vow and the symbol of his consecration. Samson’s downfall showed the consequences of disobedience and reliance on personal strength rather than God. His loss of power served as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and dependence on God’s presence.

In 1 Samuel 28:5–7, when Saul saw the Philistine army gathered against him, he was terrified and sought guidance from the Lord. Receiving no answer through prophets or dreams, he asked his servants to find a medium, which led him to the woman at Endor. This act revealed Saul’s desperation and disobedience, as consulting mediums was forbidden by God’s law. His decision marked a tragic point in his decline as king, highlighting the consequences of rejecting God’s guidance.

In Genesis 9:12–17, God set the rainbow in the sky as the sign of His covenant with Noah and all living creatures. The rainbow symbolized God’s mercy, promising that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. This covenant underscored God’s compassion and faithfulness, offering assurance of His mercy to all generations. It also served as a reminder of God’s grace even in the aftermath of judgment.

In 1 Samuel 2:27–36, a man of God came to Eli and revealed the judgment that would fall upon his household because of the sins of his sons, Hophni and Phinehas. He warned Eli that his family would lose their priestly privilege. Later, in 1 Samuel 3, God confirmed the same message to Samuel, but the first revelation came through the unnamed man of God. This showed that God used multiple messengers to emphasize the seriousness of His warning.

The key difference between David and Saul lies in their responses to sin. In 2 Samuel 12:13, when confronted by Nathan, David humbled himself, confessed his guilt, and sincerely repented. In contrast, Saul, when confronted by Samuel in 1 Samuel 15:20–23, was stubborn, made excuses, and failed to fully obey God’s command. Thus, God accepted David because of his repentance and humility, while rejecting Saul because of his disobedience and hardened heart. David’s example shows that sincere repentance restores fellowship with God, while stubbornness leads to rejection.