JAMB Christian Religious Knowledge 1988

43 reviewed questions with answers and explanations.

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Question 1

The reference in Genesis chapter 6 to the union between the ‘Sons of God’ and the ‘Daughters of Men’ explains the origin of

  1. hermaphrodites
  2. mighty men of renown
  3. gods and goddesses
  4. dwarfs.
Answer and explanation

B: mighty men of renown

Genesis 6:4 associates the children from these unions with the mighty men of old, men of renown. The answer follows the account’s own description.

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Question 2

‘Two nations in Rebekah’s womb refers to the

  1. Ammonites and Moabites
  2. Moabites and Edomites
  3. Edomites and Israelites
  4. Israelites and Ishmaelites.
Answer and explanation

C: Edomites and Israelites

The two children are Esau and Jacob. Genesis identifies Esau with Edom and gives Jacob the name Israel, linking the brothers with Edomites and Israelites.

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Question 5

Mahanaim is so called because Jacob saw the angels of God as God’s

  1. priests
  2. servants
  3. messengers
  4. army
Answer and explanation

D: army

Genesis 32:1-2 says Jacob met God’s angels and called them God’s army or camp. He named the place Mahanaim after that encounter.

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Question 6

‘I have sinned this time; the Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong; Pharaoh said this after the plague of the

  1. hailstorm
  2. death of the first born
  3. locusts
  4. darkness
Answer and explanation

A: hailstorm

Exodus 9 describes the hailstorm before Pharaoh calls Moses and Aaron and admits that he and his people are in the wrong.

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Question 7

The request of Moses that Israel should be allowed to go and worship God was interpreted by Pharaoh to mean

  1. disobedience
  2. idleness
  3. lawlessness
  4. disloyalty
Answer and explanation

B: idleness

In Exodus 5:17, Pharaoh calls the people idle and connects this accusation with their wish to sacrifice to the LORD.

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Question 8

The Passover lamb was to be kept until the fourteenth day of the first month when the whole assembly was to kill their lambs

  1. in the morning
  2. at noon
  3. in the evening
  4. at midnight.
Answer and explanation

C: in the evening

Exodus 12:6 instructs the assembly to kill the Passover lambs at evening on the fourteenth day. Evening is the specified time.

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Question 9

Pharaoh’s horsemen and his army overtook the fleeing Hebrews, encamped by the sea, at

  1. Migdol
  2. Etham
  3. Succoth
  4. Pihahiroth.
Answer and explanation

D: Pihahiroth.

Exodus 14:9 places the encampment overtaken by Pharaoh’s force beside Pi Hahiroth, in front of Baal Zephon.

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Question 10

The sin of the Israelites that led to the punishment by fiery serpents was

  1. making the golden calf
  2. speaking against God and Moses
  3. planning to return to Egypt
  4. trying to stone Caleb and Joshua.
Answer and explanation

B: speaking against God and Moses

Numbers 21:5-6 connects the fiery serpents with the people speaking against God and Moses about the journey and food.

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Question 11

During the confirmation of the covenant, Moses was invited by the Lord along with

  1. Aaron, Nadab and Abihu
  2. Aaron, Eleazar and Nadab
  3. Abihu, Eleazar and Nadab
  4. Eleazar, Aaron and Abihu.
Answer and explanation

A: Aaron, Nadab and Abihu

Exodus 24:1 names Aaron, Nadab and Abihu alongside Moses and seventy elders in the invitation to approach. Option A contains the three named companions.

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Question 12

‘Go into the hills, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves three days, until the pursuers have returned; then afterwards you may go your way’. Who gave this advice?

  1. Deborah
  2. Rebekah
  3. Rahab
  4. Sihon
Answer and explanation

C: Rahab

Joshua 2:16 records Rahab advising the spies to hide in the hills for three days until their pursuers return.

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Question 13

When Joshua burned Ai, he also put to death the king of Ai, by

  1. burning
  2. stoning
  3. hanging
  4. shooting.
Answer and explanation

C: hanging

Joshua 8:29 reports that the king of Ai was hanged on a tree until evening after the city was burned. Hanging is the named treatment.

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Question 14

In Jotham’s parable of the trees, Abimelech is very much likened to the

  1. fig
  2. bramble
  3. olive
  4. vine
Answer and explanation

B: bramble

The bramble accepts kingship in Jotham’s story and threatens fire. Jotham applies the warning to Abimelech and the leaders who made him king.

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Question 15

The preservation of the twelve stones by Joshua in Gilgal was to

  1. constitute a museum
  2. found a place of worship
  3. remind Israel of the crossing of River Jordan
  4. indicate that the site was a quarry.
Answer and explanation

C: remind Israel of the crossing of River Jordan

Joshua 4 explains that the stones at Gilgal are a memorial so future children can learn how Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.

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Question 16

Samson, as a Nazarite, was required to avoid alcohol

  1. women and dead lions
  2. unclean things and shaving
  3. shaving and swearing
  4. shaving and women.
Answer and explanation

B: unclean things and shaving

Numbers 6 connects the Nazirite vow with avoiding wine, not cutting the hair and avoiding dead bodies. The Samson account also stresses separation from uncleanness.

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Question 17

Which city was captured by Joshua before the disaster at Ai?

  1. Bethel
  2. Jericho
  3. Hebron
  4. Gilgal
Answer and explanation

B: Jericho

Joshua 6 records the capture of Jericho. The unsuccessful first attack on Ai follows in Joshua 7, so Jericho is the earlier captured city.

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Question 18

‘I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.’ This declaration was made by

  1. David
  2. Solomon
  3. Samuel
  4. Saul
Answer and explanation

D: Saul

First Samuel 15:20 identifies Saul as the speaker making this claim to Samuel. The question asks who said it, rather than whether the claim was accepted.

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Question 19

‘O Lord of hosts, if thou will ... give to thy maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head’. Who said this?

  1. Sarah
  2. Rachel
  3. Hannah
  4. Samson’s mother.
Answer and explanation

C: Hannah

First Samuel 1:11 records Hannah’s vow to dedicate a son to the LORD and let no razor touch his head. Hannah is named in the preceding scene.

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Question 20

Eli fell down and died because of the

  1. defeat of the Israelites
  2. behaviour of his delinquent children
  3. capture of the Ark of Covenant
  4. death of his two children
Answer and explanation

C: capture of the Ark of Covenant

First Samuel 4:18 says Eli fell backwards when the messenger mentioned the ark of God. The text links his fall specifically to that news.

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Question 21

“Then Saul fell at once full length upon the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel; and there was no strength in him ...” This happened when Samuel

  1. rebuked Saul for sparing Agag
  2. told Saul that God had rejected him and had chosen David to be king
  3. condemned Saul for offering sacrifice before his arrival
  4. was invoked from the dead.
Answer and explanation

D: was invoked from the dead.

First Samuel 28 describes the woman calling up Samuel, after which Saul hears his words and collapses in fear. This is the setting of the quoted reaction.

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Question 23

As David took to flight from Jerusalem on account of Absalom’s conspiracy, he was apprehensive of the role of

  1. Ahithophel
  2. Ahijah
  3. Abiathar
  4. Shimei.
Answer and explanation

A: Ahithophel

Second Samuel 15:31 reports David learning that Ahithophel had joined the conspiracy and praying that his counsel would be frustrated.

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Question 24

To whom did God promise to give the kingdom after Solomon’s heart turned away from the Lord?

  1. Rehoboam
  2. Ahijah
  3. Jeroboam
  4. Jehoram
Answer and explanation

C: Jeroboam

First Kings 11:29-31 records Ahijah telling Jeroboam that God would give him ten tribes. Ahijah delivers the message; Jeroboam receives the promise.

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Question 25

What did Solomon provide for Hiram in exchange for timber of cedar and cypress?

  1. War equipment
  2. Food
  3. Wives
  4. Money.
Answer and explanation

B: Food

First Kings 5:11 says Solomon supplied wheat and oil for Hiram’s household in return for the timber. These supplies are food.

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Question 26

The gift of gold to the infant, Jesus indicated his

  1. royal status
  2. priestly status
  3. prophetic status
  4. messianic mission.
Answer and explanation

A: royal status

In the traditional symbolism of the Magi’s gifts, gold honours Jesus’ kingship. It therefore represents royal status, while the other gifts carry different associations.

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Question 27

Herod ordered the killing of children when he

  1. learnt that a king was born
  2. had been tricked by the wise men
  3. could not see the new baby
  4. searched in vain for the wise men.
Answer and explanation

B: had been tricked by the wise men

Matthew 2:16 says Herod ordered the killings after realizing that the wise men had not returned to him. Their apparent trickery is the immediate trigger stated.

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Question 28

‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.’ This statement fulfills the prophesy of

  1. Joel
  2. Micah
  3. Amos
  4. Nahum.
Answer and explanation

B: Micah

Micah 5:2 speaks of a ruler coming from Bethlehem. Matthew 2 quotes this prophecy when explaining where the Messiah was to be born.

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Question 29

According to Mark, what were the disciples forbidden to take for their journey?

  1. Gold, silver and bag
  2. Bread, bag and staff
  3. Sandals, staff and two tunics
  4. Bread, bag and money.
Answer and explanation

D: Bread, bag and money.

Mark 6:8 prohibits bread, a bag and money, while allowing a staff. Verse 9 also allows sandals, which rules out the alternatives that prohibit them.

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Question 31

The young man who wanted to know from Jesus what good deed would qualify him for heaven, ‘went away sorrowful’ because he

  1. hated the poor
  2. was uncertain about treasure in heaven
  3. had great possessions
  4. would realize little money from the sale of his goods.
Answer and explanation

C: had great possessions

Matthew 19:22 explicitly says the young man went away sorrowful because he had great possessions. His response follows the instruction to sell and give to the poor.

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Question 32

In St. Matthew’s record of the ethical teaching of Jesus (chapters 5-7), the most important divine demand that will enable a man inherit the kingdom of God is

  1. doing the will of God
  2. practising charity
  3. prophesying
  4. performing miracles.
Answer and explanation

A: doing the will of God

Matthew 7:21 identifies doing the Father’s will as the condition, rather than merely calling Jesus Lord. The following verses contrast this with impressive religious acts.

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Question 33

The answer ‘You are the Christ, the son of the living God’ was made by Peter in the neighbourhood of

  1. Bethlehem in Judea
  2. Capernaum
  3. Caesarea Philippi
  4. Bethsaida.
Answer and explanation

C: Caesarea Philippi

Matthew 16:13–16 places Jesus and the disciples in the region of Caesarea Philippi when Peter identifies him as the Christ, the Son of the living God.

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Question 34

‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ To which temptation did Jesus give this reply?

  1. Bowing down to the devil
  2. Turning stone into bread
  3. Jumping from the pinnacle
  4. breaking his long fast.
Answer and explanation

C: Jumping from the pinnacle

Matthew 4:5-7 places the reply after the devil urges Jesus to throw himself down from the temple pinnacle. It rejects testing God’s protection.

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Question 35

Which of these parables teaches about judgement and separation?

  1. The Dragnet
  2. The Hidden Treasure
  3. The Sower
  4. The Leaven
Answer and explanation

A: The Dragnet

Matthew 13:47-50 describes a net gathering different fish, followed by separation. Jesus applies the image to judgment at the end of the age.

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Question 36

‘If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all’. What does this saying of Jesus teach?

  1. Endurance
  2. Lack of ambition
  3. Humility
  4. Relaxation.
Answer and explanation

C: Humility

Mark 9 connects this saying with the disciples’ argument about greatness. Jesus places service before status, teaching humility.

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Question 37

The appearance of Elijah and Moses at the transfiguration indicates the significance of the

  1. prophets and apostles
  2. prophets and the law
  3. Spirit and the word
  4. Kings and the judges
Answer and explanation

B: prophets and the law

In the traditional reading of the Transfiguration, Moses represents the Law and Elijah the Prophets. Their appearance connects Jesus with both parts of Israel’s Scriptures.

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Question 38

One of the illustrations of Jesus on true greatness is

  1. giving alms to the poor
  2. preaching the gospel
  3. becoming like a child
  4. knowing how to pray.
Answer and explanation

C: becoming like a child

Matthew 18:4 explains greatness in terms of humbling oneself like the child Jesus has placed among the disciples.

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Question 40

Which religious groups asked Jesus about payment of taxes to Caesar?

  1. Pharisees and Sadducees.
  2. Pharisees and Herodians
  3. Sadducees and Herodians
  4. Herodians and Zealots.
Answer and explanation

B: Pharisees and Herodians

Matthew 22:15-17 identifies the Pharisees’ disciples and the Herodians as the group sent to ask about paying tax to Caesar.

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Question 42

‘Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ This leaven is their

  1. wealth
  2. hypocrisy
  3. wisdom
  4. teaching.
Answer and explanation

D: teaching.

Matthew 16:12 explains that the warning concerns the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. It is not a warning about ordinary bread.

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Question 43

The three thousand converts on the day of Pentecost devoted themselves to

  1. breaking of bread and the prayers
  2. speaking in tongues
  3. healing and preaching
  4. prophesying.
Answer and explanation

A: breaking of bread and the prayers

Acts 2:41-42 links the new believers with devotion to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking bread and prayer. Option A names two of those activities.

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Question 44

Two of the seven deacons are

  1. Parmenas and Proselytus
  2. Simon and Stephen
  3. Nicanor and Nicolas
  4. Prochorus and Protus.
Answer and explanation

C: Nicanor and Nicolas

Acts 6:5 includes Nicanor and Nicolaus in the list of seven. The other pairs contain a name not in that list.

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Question 45

According to the apostle’s speech before the Sanhedrin, the holy Spirit is given by God to

  1. the followers of Christ
  2. the disciples of Jesus
  3. those who obey God
  4. those who fast and pray.
Answer and explanation

C: those who obey God

Acts 5:32 describes the Holy Spirit as given by God to those who obey him. Option C reproduces the condition in the speech.

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Question 46

In his speech concerning the replacement of Judas Iscariot, Peter quoted from

  1. Isaiah
  2. Jeremiah
  3. Joel
  4. the Psalms.
Answer and explanation

D: the Psalms.

Acts 1:20 explicitly introduces Peter’s quotations as words written in the book of Psalms. The book is named in the verse.

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Question 48

One of the seven who preached the gospel in Samaria, and from Azotus to Caesarea, was

  1. Stephen
  2. Prochorus
  3. Nicanor
  4. Philip.
Answer and explanation

D: Philip.

Acts 8 names Philip as the preacher in Samaria. It later describes him preaching through the towns from Azotus until he reaches Caesarea.

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Question 49

Simon the magician was rebuked by Peter in Samaria because he

  1. perverted the minds of the people
  2. opposed the teaching of the apostles
  3. Wanted to purchase spiritual power with money
  4. refused to be baptized.
Answer and explanation

C: Wanted to purchase spiritual power with money

Acts 8:18-20 says Simon offered money for the power to confer the Holy Spirit. Peter rebukes him for treating God’s gift as something to buy.

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Question 50

The disciples were for the first time called Christians in

  1. Tarsus
  2. Antioch
  3. Jerusalem
  4. Judea.
Answer and explanation

B: Antioch

Acts 11:26 states that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. It connects the name with the community there.

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