Correct Answer: C. God would gather him to his grave in peace

Correct Answer: B. The LORD is peace

Explanation

(A) PUNISHMENTS AMOS WARNED ISRAEL ABOUT (AMOS 2:6, 4; 5:1-24, 7:10-17,8)

i. As Amos identified the transgressions of Israel, God made it clear to them that He would not revoke the punishments if they refused to repent.

ii. Amos prophesied that the Samaritan women would be taken to exile in hooks like a fish and cast into Harmon.

iii. The women who supported their husbands to oppress the poor would be humiliated and also taken into exile.

iv. People who cheated the poor to build hewn stone houses would not dwell in them nor would they live to drink the wine of the vineyards they planted. They would suffer exile as a punishment.

v. In all the squares, there shall be wailing, and in all the streets they shall say, Alas!

vi. This implies that people would endure bitter punishments leading to wailings here and there.

vii. According to Amos, their wives would be harlots in the city, and their sons and daughters would fall by the sword.

viii. This implies that a nation would attack and defeat Israel and send them into exile.

ix. All businessmen who exploited the poor in the course of their transactions would have their hopes dashed while their feast would turn into mourning.

x. Those who looked forward to the day of the Lord as a day of joy and exoneration would be disappointed as it would turn out to be a day of judgment and severe punishment.

xi. Worship involving sacrifices, prayers, songs on the feast and sacred days would incur God's displeasure, hatred and rejection.

xii. Songs of thanksgiving for harvest would be turned to sadness.

xiii. According to Amos, the people would suffer famine not of food or drink but for the word of God.

(B) SINS AMOS CONDEMNED WHICH ARE PREVALENT TODAY

i. Cult prostitution (Marriage to the gods and priests).

ii. Paying lip service to God.

iii. Idolatry/false worship/false prophets.

iv. Not keeping the Sabbath and feast days holy.

v. False swearing/bearing false witnesses.

vi. Bribery and corruption.

vii. Selling the righteous for money and the needy for a small fee.

viii. Cheating in markets with false weights/measures.

ix. Forced slavery/child labour/child abuse/child trafficking.

x. Sexual immorality, e.g. homosexuality/ fornication/adultery.

xi. Luxury as a result of cheating (under/overpayments, fraudulent activities, etc.)

xii. Robbing the poor of their properties, e.g. Land guards, etc.

xiii. Injustice in the law courts.

Correct Answer: B. not hearing the word of the Lord

Correct Answer: D. Terah, Abram, Lot and Sarai

Explanation

(a) John was baptising at the river Jordan when Jesus came to him. John identified Jesus as the Lamb of God who was to take away the sins of the world. John confessed that Jesus was greater than him for he (Jesus) had existed before him At first, John did not know Jesus, but he came baptising with water that Jesus might be revealed. The spirit of the Lord had told John that he would identify Jesus as the man on whom the spirit would descend. At the baptism of Jesus, the spirit descended as a dove from heaven and rested on him . John bore witness that Jesus is the son of God.

(b) The significance of Jesus' baptism to Christians include:

(i) As the Lamb of God, his crucifixion takes away man's sin by faith.

(ii) Having accepted this, we must turn away from our sins.

(iii) We have to bear testimony, that is, spread this happy news to others who have not known him.

(iv) Jesus is the final sacrifice.

Correct Answer: B. idleness

Explanation

(a) Paul and Barnabas were forced to move to Iconium from Antioch of Pisidia because of the Jewish persecution. In Iconium, they preached to the people in the synagogue and there were many converts. Despite the many converts they made, the Jewish persecutors descended hard on them and they were forced to leave for Lystra where they continued their preaching. In Lystra, they met a man who had been a cripple from birth. When they saw that he had faith, Paul made him well. He started to walk for the rest of his life. The crowd was astonished at the miracle performed by Paul and Barnabas.

They decided to make sacrifices to them believing that they were gods incarnate. The apostles prevented them from carrying out their plan as it would amount to committing sin. The apostles tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, convincing them that they were not gods but men like them and that they needed no sacrifices. They told them that what they were doing was just to spread the good news concerning Jesus Christ which would turn them away from their ignorance of the worship of God. Still in Lystra, Paul drew the attention of the people to the freedom that God allowed them in the past. He told them how God sent His son (Jesus) to the world to bring salvation to the whole world.

However, Paul could not prevent the people from offering the sacrifices to them. At this point, the Jewish persecutors came and stirred the people against them. Paul was stoned and dragged out of the city. They thought he was dead. The new converts in Lystra gathered around him; when he had recovered, they secretly led him back into the city.

(b) The attitudes.of the Jews, both in Iconium and Lystra could be said to be as follows:

(i) From Iconium and Lystra, the two cities that the apostles visited, the Jewish persecutors did not allow them to carry out their preaching as expected. The persecutors were after their lives. They stirred people against them, beat them, sent them away and prevented the people from hearing the word of God.

(ii) In Lystra, Paul was stoned to a state of coma. This shows the extent of opposition the apostles received, thereby preventing them from carrying out their preaching successfully.

Correct Answer: C. were deeply troubled and asked what they should do

Explanation

A. THE COMMUNAL LIVING OF THE EARLY CHURCH (ACTS 2:41-47, 4:32-37, 5: 1- 11,6: 2-6)

i. After the arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter gave a powerful speech and about three thousand converts were made, and became part of the early church.

ii. The new converts were then baptized.

iii. Their life was characterized by a strong bond of fellowship because they were of one heart and soul.

iv. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teachings and fellowshipping together.

v. Fear came upon them as wonders and signs were performed by the apostles.

vi. Their togetherness was shown in the practice ofjoint ownership of possessions! property.

vii. They shared the proceeds among themselves according to their needs, and there was no needy person among them.

viii. Day by day, the Lord added to their number.

ix. They devoted themselves to breaking of bread from one house to another with gladness and sincerity of mind.

x. They praised God and had favour with all the people. They prayed together.

xi. The apostles gave testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and grace was upon them.

xii. Those who had land or houses sold them, and brought the money to the apostles to be shared. No one owned what he possessed.

xiii. Notable among the donors was Joseph, also known as Barnabas who willingly sold his field and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet,

xiv. However, Ananias and Sapphira his wife, were not sincere in giving out their possession and were instantly punished.

xv. Another important event which nearly marred! destroyed the unity of the Church was the unfair distribution of provisions. However, this was resolved by the appointment of the deacons.

B. LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM THE LIFE OF THE EARLY CHURCH

i. Need to evangelize the word, of God

ii. Signs and wonders were very common in the early church and therefore, there is need to pray for God's presence and the power to heal.

iii. Fellowship was held in people's homes. There is no need to waste resources to build expensive churches /temples/ cathedrals

iv. The Holy Communion was frequently taken. This should be emulated.

v. The spirit of giving and taking (sharing) was in existence. We should learn to give and share.

vi. The believers did not only preach love but they also showed it. We should demonstrate our love in practical terms.

vii. Need for honesty and sincerity in the church.

viii. There was oneness and unity of purpose. There is need to unite for common purpose in our country.

ix. Evil intentions and insincerity mar! destroy unity and co-operation. This should be avoided.