Correct Answer: D. gain nothing

Explanation

(a) Peter's speech on Pentecost day (Acts 2):

(i) At Pentecost, the disciples were filled .with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongue

(ii) The crowd around was surprised at what they saw and heard while others allege that the disciples were drunk.

(iii) Peter addressed the crowd that it was too early to get drunk.

(iv) It was rather the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy that in the last days God would his spirit upon all flesh.

(v) Then their sons and daughters would prophesy, men would have visions and old men dream dreams.

(vi) And those who would call upon the name of the Lord would be saved.

(vii) He said Jesus was crucified by lawless men according to the plan and foreknowledge of God.

(viii) But God raised Christ from the dead, loosening Him from the pangs of death.

(ix) For the scripture (Psalm of David) maintained that the Holy one's soul would not be abandoned in Hades, nor see corruption.

(x) He said that when David died and was buried, his tomb was still there.

(xi) As a prophet, David spoke about the resurrection of Jesus.

(xii) According to Peter, God raised up Jesus and exalted him at His right hand.

(xiii) Further, Jesus received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit and poured it on the disciples.

(xiv) Peter further declared that God had made Jesus both Lord and Christ.

(xv) The crowd was cut to the heart, asking Peter, "Brethren what shall we do?

(xvi) Peter asked them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins.

(xvii) And that the gift of the Holy Spirit was promised to them and later generations.

(xviii) Hence, they should save themselves from this crooked generation.

(xix) The crowd responded favorably such that three thousand people were baptized.

(b) Three changes in the life of the disciples:

(i) The disciples spoke in tongues as an empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

(ii) They no more feared the religious leaders but became bold and courageous.

(iii) They boldly talked about Jesus as the expected Messiah who had resurrected preached freely.

(iv) They started winning/converting souls into Christianity.

(v) Most of them began to prophesy.

(vi) They performed signs and wonders- healing, exorcising etc.

(vii) They became more humane, affable, generous and caring for the poor and the aged.

(viii) They lived a communal life.

Correct Answer: D) Rich people

Explanation

The question is asking us who, according to James, blasphemes the honourable name by which Christians are called. The options are Non believers, Pagan rulers, Antichrists, and Rich people. Out of these options, the correct answer is Rich people.

James was a leader in the early Christian church and wrote a letter to Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire. In his letter, he talks about the importance of faith and good works. He also warns against showing favoritism to the rich over the poor and emphasizes the need to care for the vulnerable.

In chapter 2, James writes about faith and deeds, emphasizing that faith without deeds is dead. He then goes on to talk about the sin of favoritism, warning that showing partiality to the rich while treating the poor with contempt is a sin. He says that the rich oppress the poor and drag them into court, even though the rich are the ones who blaspheme the noble name of Jesus.

Therefore, we can see that according to James, the correct answer to this question is Rich people. They blaspheme the honourable name by which Christians are called. This is because they oppress the poor and show favoritism to the wealthy over the less privileged.

Correct Answer: B. knowing the truth and doing it all times

Correct Answer: D. consolidate the offer of salvation

Correct Answer: C. make a sacrifice of the love of God

Explanation

(A) JAMES' ARGUMENT ON FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD (JAMES 1:22-27; 2:14-26)

i. James advised Christians to live according to the word of the Lord which they had heard.

ii. He said it would be no use to hear the word and fail to put it into practice.

iii. According to James, if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone who sees himself in a mirror and turns away and immediately forgets himself.

iv. James points out that he who observes the perfect law of liberty and perseveres in it by acting and not only being a hearer would be blessed in his doing.

v. According to James, God's blessing comes through works and not faith.

vi. James was of the opinion that if one thinks he is religious but does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is vain.

vii. He held the view that practical and unidentified religion before God entails the visitation of orphans and widows in their affliction.

viii. And also keeping oneself unstained from the world.

ix. James said it is of no use to say you have faith but have no works to demonstrate the faith you have.

x. He taught that faith must be combined with practical works to produce the desired results.

xi. According to James, if someone was poorly clothed and hungry and you asked him to go in peace and be filled without providing the clothes and food for them, you are not backing your faith with works.

xii. Hence, faith without works is dead and useless.

xiii. He asserted that it is not enough to believe in God.

xiv. Belief in the only true. God is good, for even the devil also believes in God, but does not do the will of Him. Hence, faith in God without works is unacceptable.

xv. James cited two Old Testament figures who exhibited faith and works in unison. For example, Abraham justified his faith by works when he was prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac.

xvi. According to James, faith is justified by works; hence, Abraham believed in God and it was counted to him as righteousness and he was called a friend of God because he acted on his faith.

xvii. A person is therefore justified by works and not by faith alone.

xviii. Similarly, Rahab, the prostitute justified her faith by works when she received the messengers of Joshua and sent them out by another way.

xix. James concluded by saying that as the body without the spirit is dead so also faith without works is dead.

xx. Faith should manifest itself in the love of God and service to humankind and not the mere expression of it by words alone.

(B) BENEFITS OF FAITH TO A CHRISTIAN

i. Faith helps Christians to believe and trust God/have fellowship with Him.

ii. It enables Christians to be committed to God/depend and rely on Him.

iii. It assures Christians of eternal salvation.

iv. It shows that Christians are not under law but under grace.

v. It is by faith that Christians face life's challenges with courage and strength, e.g. persecution.

vi. Faith motivates Christians to do good works in all fields, e.g. Education, Medicare, Evangelism, caring for the poor and the needy.

vii. It enables believers to have hope/grow spiritually/keep God's commandments.

viii. It promotes healing/it is a factor in receiving miracles.

Correct Answer: B. trial of Jesus

Correct Answer: B. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion

Correct Answer: B. repentance