JAMB Christian Religious Knowledge 2022 Past Questions & Answers

The question describes the Israelites' actions while Moses was on Mount Sinai, where they asked Aaron to make them a god. This act of creating the golden calf was a direct violation of God's commandments and a profound act of disobedience against Him. It highlights their lack of faith and patience.

Common mistake: Students might be tempted by 'A. build an alter' because an altar was indeed built, but the core request was for a god, which led to the altar's construction.

The question is based on the story in Genesis chapter 22, which describes the ultimate test of Abraham's faith. God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on a mountain in the land of Moriah. This event is a key part of the Abrahamic covenant, as it demonstrates Abraham's complete obedience and trust in God's promises, even when they seemed impossible.

Common mistake: Students often confuse important Old Testament locations and might incorrectly choose 'Sinai', which is the mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments.

Abraham circumcised Isaac because God explicitly commanded him to do so as a sign of the covenant He made with Abraham and his descendants. This divine instruction is found in Genesis 17, where God established circumcision as an everlasting covenant. Abraham's act was an act of obedience to God's specific command, not merely a custom or a personal decision. The covenant included the promise of Isaac's birth, and circumcision was the physical mark of this covenant.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose B, 'Isaac was the son of promise,' because Isaac's birth was indeed part of God's promise, but the act of circumcision itself was a direct command and a sign of the covenant, not just a consequence of him being the promised son.

This question tests knowledge of the plagues inflicted upon Egypt, which were direct consequences of Pharaoh's disobedience to God's command to release the Israelites. The plagues serve as a powerful illustration of the repercussions of defying God's will. The fifth plague, specifically, was the death of livestock.

Common mistake: Students often confuse the order of the plagues, leading them to select an incorrect plague like the invasion of flies (fourth plague) or the changing of rivers into blood (first plague).

According to Genesis chapter 37, Jacob sent Joseph to find his brothers in Shechem, but a man informed him that they had moved to Dothan. When Joseph's brothers saw him approaching Dothan, they conspired to kill him. This event at Dothan was the beginning of Joseph's long ordeal, through which God's divine providence ultimately protected him and used him to save his family.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose Shechem because it was the first place Jacob sent Joseph to look for his brothers, but the actual conspiracy happened after they had moved on to Dothan.

This question tests knowledge about Joshua, a key leader in the Old Testament who succeeded Moses. The specific detail about his burial place, Timnath-serah, and its location within the territory of the Tribe of Ephraim, directly relates to his life and leadership role in the division of the land among the tribes. Therefore, it falls under the 'Leadership' subtopic.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose Judah due to its prominence, or other tribes, if they do not recall the specific biblical detail from the Book of Joshua 24:30.

The correct answer is turning water to wine. In the Gospel of John, chapter 2 verses $1-11$, the Bible records the story of Jesus attending a wedding in Cana of Galilee. When the wine finished, Jesus instructed servants to fill jars with water, which he then miraculously turned into high-quality wine. The Bible specifically states this was the first of his signs, through which he revealed his glory.

Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose other famous miracles like 'Stilling the storm' because they remember the event clearly but forget that turning water into wine at Cana is specifically recorded as the first sign in the Gospel of John.

The question asks to identify the only miracle of Jesus recorded in all four gospels. The Feeding of the Five Thousand is the correct answer, as it is documented in Matthew $(14:13-21)$, Mark $(6:30-44)$, Luke $(9:10-17)$, and John $(6:1-15)$. This miracle demonstrates Jesus' power to provide and His compassion for the multitude.

Common mistake: Students often confuse this with other prominent miracles like turning water into wine (only in John) or walking on water (not in Luke), leading them to select an option that is not recorded in all four gospels.

The correct answer is 621 BC during the reign of King Josiah. According to 2 Kings 22, the High Priest Hilkiah found the Book of the Law in the temple while it was being repaired. When the book was read to King Josiah, it prompted him to begin a massive religious reformation to abolish idolatry (restoring true religion) and bring the nation back to obeying God's laws, which included commands for social justice.

Common mistake: Students may confuse King Josiah with King Hezekiah, who was another righteous king of Judah known for his own religious reforms, but at an earlier time.

The correct answer is Ezekiel because the statement "The soul that sins shall die" is a direct quote from his prophecy in Ezekiel 18:4 and 20. Prophet Ezekiel delivered this message to the Israelites in exile to teach them about individual responsibility for sin. He explained that God would judge each person based on their own actions, not the actions of their parents or ancestors, which was a common belief at the time.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose Amos because he was also a prophet who strongly condemned sin and preached about God's judgment, but this specific prophecy on individual responsibility belongs to Ezekiel.

The correct answer is Ezekiel. He was a prophet who ministered to the Israelites during their exile in Babylon. After delivering messages of judgement, his prophecies shifted to a message of hope and restoration, famously illustrated by the vision of the valley of dry bones, which promised a new life for the nation.

Common mistake: Students might confuse the time periods of the prophets and select Amos or Hosea, who were prophets of social justice that ministered to the Northern Kingdom before the Babylonian exile.

In the book of Ezekiel, specifically chapters 2 and 3, God commanded Ezekiel to eat a scroll before he went to speak to the House of Israel. This act symbolized him internalizing God's message, which was written on the scroll, so he could deliver it faithfully. The scroll was described as tasting sweet as honey in his mouth.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'Honey' because the Bible mentions the scroll tasting like honey, not that honey itself was eaten as the primary item.

The Bible, in Genesis chapter 17, clearly states that God commanded Abraham to circumcise every male in his household as a physical and everlasting sign of the covenant He made with Abraham and his descendants. This act was a unique mark of their special relationship with God. Therefore, circumcision is the correct sign.

Common mistake: Some students might mistakenly choose 'Children' because God promised Abraham many descendants, but children were the blessing and fulfillment of the covenant, not the specific physical sign of it.

The burning bush incident, where God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, is a foundational event in Moses' leadership journey. This significant encounter took place on Mount Horeb, as explicitly stated in Exodus chapter 3. It marks the beginning of God's direct commissioning of Moses for his role as a leader.

Common mistake: Students often confuse Horeb with Sinai because both mountains are significant in Moses' story and are sometimes used interchangeably, but Horeb is specifically mentioned for the burning bush.

The Bible, specifically Acts 11:26, clearly states that the followers of Jesus were first called 'Christians' in Antioch. This happened during a crucial period when the gospel message was spreading widely beyond Jerusalem, especially to non-Jewish people (Gentiles). Antioch became a significant centre for this mission, and the new name helped distinguish believers in Jesus from other groups.

Common mistake: Some students might mistakenly choose Jerusalem because it was where the church began, or Damascus due to Paul's conversion, but the specific naming event occurred in Antioch.

The Book of Acts, specifically chapter 6, records that the Hellenists, who were Greek-speaking Jews, complained that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. To resolve this issue and ensure fair service, the apostles appointed seven men, traditionally known as deacons, to manage this practical task. This allowed the apostles to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose Gentiles because they were another distinct group in the early church, but the specific complaint leading to the appointment of deacons came from the Hellenistic Jews within the community.

The correct answer is the Code of Hammurabi. The laws given by Moses at Sinai form the basis of the Sinai Covenant between God and Israel. Historians and biblical scholars note that these laws share structural and thematic similarities with other ancient Near Eastern legal texts, most famously the Code of Hammurabi, an older Babylonian law code. Both address civil and criminal matters, though the Mosaic Law is unique in its foundation on the worship of Yahweh.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'Septuagint' because it is a well-known biblical term, but it is the Greek translation of the Old Testament, not a separate ancient law code for comparison.

The statement, "Walk before me, and be blameless," was spoken by God to Abraham when he was 99 years old, as recorded in Genesis 17:1. This moment was significant because it was when God re-established and expanded His covenant with Abraham, promising him to be the father of many nations. This event is central to understanding God's covenant relationship with Abraham.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 75 (Option A) because that was Abraham's age when God first called him out of Haran, but the specific command to 'walk blamelessly' and the covenant of circumcision occurred later at age 99.

This statement is found in the Book of Judges, chapter 6, verse 16. God, speaking through an angel, was calling Gideon to become a leader and save Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. Gideon felt weak and unqualified, but God gave him this promise to reassure him of His divine presence and power for the task.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose Joshua because God also made a similar promise to be with him, but the specific instruction to 'smite the Midianites' was given to Gideon.

The correct answer is Mark and Matthew. This is because both the Gospel of Matthew (in chapter 27, verse 46) and the Gospel of Mark (in chapter 15, verse 34) specifically record Jesus crying out 'Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?' on the cross. While Luke and John also describe the crucifixion, they record different last words spoken by Jesus, making the other options incorrect.

Common mistake: Students often confuse the details of the different crucifixion accounts and might incorrectly choose an option with Luke or John, because while they wrote about Jesus' death, they recorded different last words.

Jeremiah's prophetic call, as recorded in Jeremiah chapter 1, began with two distinct visions. The first vision was that of an almond branch, signifying God's readiness to fulfill His word. The second vision was that of a boiling pot tilting from the north, symbolizing the impending disaster and invasion from the northern kingdom.

Common mistake: Students often guess or confuse the number of visions Jeremiah saw with other prophets or events, leading them to pick options like 1, 3, or 4 without recalling the specific details of his call.

The question refers to the event in Acts 1 where the disciples chose a replacement for Judas Iscariot. Peter led the disciples in selecting two candidates, Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias, to fill the apostolic vacancy. After praying, they cast lots, and Matthias was chosen, making Joseph the other candidate. This event highlights the early disciples' commitment to their mission and maintaining the apostolic witness.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose Paul or Barnabas, who were significant figures in the early church but were not the candidates proposed at this specific selection to replace Judas.

This event is recorded in Acts chapter 23. When Paul was brought before the Sanhedrin, he cleverly used the doctrinal differences between the Sadducees and the Pharisees. By declaring that he was on trial for his belief in the resurrection, he gained the support of the Pharisees, who also believed in the resurrection, against the Sadducees, who did not.

Common mistake: Students often remember that the Jewish religious leaders were generally against Paul, so they might incorrectly choose the Sadducees, forgetting this specific incident where Paul used their internal divisions to his advantage.

The question explicitly refers to Paul's letter and his explanation of the resurrection of both the living and the dead at the time of Christ's Second Coming. This directly aligns with the subtopic 'The second coming of Christ' within the broader 'Selected Epistles' category, as these teachings are found in Paul's letters. For instance, 1 Thessalonians $4:13-18$ details this event.

Common mistake: Students might incorrectly guess the specific epistle if they are not familiar with the detailed content of each of Paul's letters regarding eschatology.

In the book of Acts chapter 2, on the day of Pentecost, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other tongues. When the crowd was amazed and confused, the Apostle Peter stood up and explained that this event was the fulfilment of a prophecy from the book of Joel. The prophet Joel had written that God would pour out His Spirit on all people in the last days.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose another prophet like Amos or Jeremiah if they are not familiar with the specific prophecy about the outpouring of the Spirit, which is unique to Joel.