2016 JAMB CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Question 1
What was Herod’s reaction when he heard the news about Jesus’ birth?
A. He was troubled
B. He was excited
C. He sent gifts
D. He became calm
Answer: A. He was troubled
Explanation: King Herod was greatly disturbed when he learned that Jesus had been born.
Question 2
In his teaching on spiritual gifts in Corinthians, Paul said that all gifts are inspired by
A. Prayer
B. The same spirit
C. Grace
D. The individual’s ability
Answer: B. The same spirit
Explanation: In his teaching about spiritual gifts, Paul says that the same Spirit is behind all the different gifts.
Question 3
Paul in Romans advised believers to respect those in authority to avoid God’s wrath and also for the sake of
A. Christ
B. Conscience
C. Others
D. Faith
Answer: B. Conscience
Explanation: In Romans, Paul urges believers to obey governing authorities both to avoid divine wrath and because conscience requires it.
Question 4
How old was Abram when God appeared to him the second time?
A. 75 years
B. 105 years
C. 85 years
D. 99 years
Answer: D. 99 years
Explanation: According to Genesis 17:1, the Lord appeared to Abram when he was 99. The current explanation mistakenly gives his age as 75, which relates to his call to leave Haran.
Question 5
“An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth…” Jesus corrected the teaching in the statement above by declaring that
A. Give and take is an ideal way of life
B. Retaliation should be in equal measure to the offence
C. Retaliation is right
D. Forgiveness is what is right
Answer: D. Forgiveness is what is right
Explanation: In place of the former rule of exact retaliation, “an eye for an eye,” Jesus taught grace and presented forgiveness as the right response.
Question 6
The ruler of the synagogue whose child Jesus raised to life was
A. A widow
B. Zebedee
C. A contrition
D. Jairus
Answer: D. Jairus
Explanation: Jairus was the leader of the synagogue whose daughter Jesus restored to life.
Question 7
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Jesus made the statement above to
A. His mother at Cana in Galilee
B. The father of the epileptic boy
C. The Syrophoenician woman
D. Thomas, the twin
Answer: D. Thomas, the twin
Explanation: After Thomas the twin acknowledged his faith, Jesus told him that people who believe without seeing are blessed.
Question 8
According to Amos, true religion entails
A. Being just and righteous
B. Engaging in sacrifices and burnt offerings
C. Engaging in holy feast and assemblies
D. Fasting and praying always
Answer: A. Being just and righteous
Explanation: Amos insists that genuine religion and worship demand righteousness and justice, rather than hollow sacrificial rituals.
Question 9
”…You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” The statement above was made by
A. Peter
B. James
C. John
D. Philip
Answer: A. Peter
Explanation: Peter made the well-known declaration that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of the living God.
Question 10
In order that the word of the LORD concerning Judah might come to pass, be
A. Made it the central city
B. Allowed the Canaanites to besiege it
C. Sent kings to reign in Jerusalem
D. Sent Babylon and other nations against it
Answer: D. Sent Babylon and other nations against it
Explanation: God brought Babylon and other foreign peoples against Judah to carry out the judgment He had announced.
Question 11
One of the prophets that prophesied hope for Israel in spite of God’s promise of punishment was
A. Jeremiah
B. Amos
C. Hosea
D. Obadiah
Answer: A. Jeremiah
Explanation: Alongside his warnings of disaster and punishment, Jeremiah predicted hope and an eventual restoration for Israel.
Question 12
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of host…” The statement above was made in reference to the call of
A. Jeremiah
B. Ezekiel
C. Isaiah
D. Amos
Answer: C. Isaiah
Explanation: Isaiah heard the cry “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts” in the vision associated with his call as a prophet.
Question 13
In Jesus’ teaching about the true vine, He said anyone who does not abide in Him shall be
A. Crucified with him
B. Cast forth
C. Taken away
D. Remembered on the last day
Answer: B. Cast forth
Explanation: In His teaching about the True Vine, Jesus said those who fail to abide in Him would be thrown away like branches that have dried up.
Question 14
Paul returned Philemon’s slave back to him to ensure that
A. He would be welcome when he left prison
B. The slave can complete his service time
C. Philemon forgave and accepted the slave
D. He could boast of Philemon’s obedience
Answer: C. Philemon forgave and accepted the slave
Explanation: Paul returned Onesimus to Philemon to bring about reconciliation, so that Philemon would forgive and welcome his runaway slave.
Question 15
Where did God promise to lengthen Solomon’s days if he kept His commandments?
A. Gath
B. Gibeon
C. Tabor
D. Shechem
Answer: B. Gibeon
Explanation: When God appeared to Solomon at Gibeon, He promised him a longer life if he remained obedient.
Question 16
“This man is that power of God which is called Great.” The statement above referring to Simon the magician was made at
A. Macedonia
B. Ephesus
C. Samaria
D. Epidermis
Answer: C. Samaria
Explanation: The Samaritans said that Simon the magician was the divine power known as Great.
Question 17
Paul in Romans said that the righteousness of God has been manifested through faith in Jesus Christ for
A. Cleansing of the damned
B. The salvation of the authority
C. All those who believe
D. The dead in Christ
Answer: C. All those who believe
Explanation: Paul says in Romans that God’s righteousness becomes known through faith in Jesus Christ, bringing salvation to everyone who believes.
Question 18
Before Moses brought the Israelites to meet God on Mount Sinai, he charged them to
A. Wash their garments and be consecrated
B. Ensure they eat very well
C. Touch the mountain at the sight of smoke
D. Mate with their wives for three days
Answer: A. Wash their garments and be consecrated
Explanation: Moses directed the people to purify themselves and wash their clothing before they met God at Mount Sinai.
Question 19
In Matthew’s account of Jesus’ burial, Joseph, who requested the body of Jesus, was
A. A kingdom seeker
B. A council’s elder
C. His disciple
D. Gospel lover
Answer: C. His disciple
Explanation: Matthew describes Joseph of Arimathea as a follower of Jesus who asked for His body so he could bury it.
Question 20
What was God’s immediate punishment to David for taking Uriah’s wife?
A. God sent Nathan to him
B. David’s son by Bathsheba died
C. Absalom conspired against him
D. Solomon built the Temple in his place
Answer: B. David’s son by Bathsheba died
Explanation: Nathan announced that, as the immediate punishment for David taking Uriah’s wife, the child Bathsheba bore would die.
Question 21
When David’s son Absalom rebelled against him, David was forced to
A. Abdicate the throne
B. Flee from Jerusalem
C. Surrender to him
D. Divide his kingdom
Answer: B. Flee from Jerusalem
Explanation: David had to leave Jerusalem when Absalom’s plot and revolt gathered strength.
Question 22
The religious tension in Israel during the reign of King Ahab was caused by
A. Prophet Nathan’s prophecy about Israel’s doom
B. Jezebel’s introduction of idol worship
C. Ahab’s heed to the advice of the elders
D. Elijah’s insistence on God to punish Israel
Answer: B. Jezebel’s introduction of idol worship
Explanation: Ahab’s Israel experienced intense religious strife and widespread idolatry chiefly because Jezebel vigorously introduced and encouraged Baal worship.
Question 23
A parable that teaches a lesson on the demands of the kingdom is that of the
A. Weeds
B. Lost coin
C. Prodigal son
D. Samaritan
Answer: A. Weeds
Explanation: The story of the weeds, also called tares, teaches significant points about the kingdom of heaven and its eventual judgment.
Question 24
In his teaching on effective prayer, James said that the prayer of faith would
A. Heal and cleanse sins
B. Enhance the authority
C. Enhance commitment to church
D. Ensure salvation for the sick
Answer: A. Heal and cleanse sins
Explanation: James explains that a prayer made in faith will restore a sick person and lift them up.
Question 25
Amos is often referred to as a prophet of
A. Love
B. Doom
C. Justice
D. Hope
Answer: C. Justice
Explanation: Amos is commonly called the prophet of justice because he persistently advocated righteousness and fairness in society.
Question 26
Whose address led to the conversion of three thousand souls on the day of Pentecost?
A. Peter’s
B. James’
C. Paul’s
D. John’s
Answer: A. Peter’s
Explanation: Peter’s powerful sermon to the crowd on Pentecost led approximately three thousand people to convert.
Question 27
A key requirement for healing as exemplified by the disciple’s inability to heal the epileptic boy is
A. Power
B. Righteousness
C. Faith
D. Humility
Answer: C. Faith
Explanation: Jesus said the disciples could not drive the demon from the epileptic boy because their faith was inadequate.
Question 28
Paul admonished the Romans to live a new life in Christ by yielding themselves to God as men who
A. Will meet Christ in God’s kingdom
B. Have been bought from death to life
C. Have suffered for the sake of the gospel
D. Will receive judgment on the last day
Answer: B. Have been bought from death to life
Explanation: Paul calls on the Romans to live a renewed life, aware that they have been redeemed and brought out of death into life.
Question 29
Most believers celebrate Palm Sunday to honour Jesus as the
A. Lamb of God
B. King of kings
C. Son of God
D. Saviour of the world
Answer: B. King of kings
Explanation: Palm Sunday recalls Jesus’ victorious arrival in Jerusalem, where the welcome He received recognized Him as king. The current explanation wrongly claims that the day honours Him as the “Lamb of God.”
Question 30
”…for who is able to govern this thy great people?” In the statement above, Solomon declared his
A. Inability to carry out the duty
B. Inadequacy as a man
C. Total dependence on God
D. Leadership over the people of God
Answer: C. Total dependence on God
Explanation: Solomon’s question about who could rule such a great people showed deep humility and complete reliance on God for wisdom.
Question 31
God sent Jonah to the city of Nineveh to
A. Preach against it
B. Mediate for the people
C. Convert the people
D. Lead it
Answer: A. Preach against it
Explanation: God instructed Jonah to travel to wicked Nineveh and denounce its wrongdoing.
Question 32
The action that portrayed Moses as a leader of the Israelites was his
A. Disobedience to Pharaoh and escape
B. Request to Pharaoh to spare Israelites
C. Protection of the daughters of Jethro
D. Killing of an Egyptian who fought with a Hebrew
Answer: D. Killing of an Egyptian who fought with a Hebrew
Explanation: Moses displayed an early impulse to defend his people when he killed an Egyptian overseer who was striking a Hebrew.
Question 33
For obeying His word, God rewarded Shiphrah and Puah with
A. Positions
B. Families
C. Wealth
D. Grant
Answer: B. Families
Explanation: God established families for Shiphrah and Puah as a reward for fearing Him and refusing Pharaoh’s command to kill.
Question 34
God fed the Israelites with Manna in the wilderness
A. Sinai
B. Zin
C. Sin
D. Shur
Answer: C. Sin
Explanation: The Bible says God kept the Israelites alive with manna while they travelled through the wilderness of Sin.
Question 35
When Ezekiel saw the scroll that was given to him to eat, it signified that
A. His sins were forgiven
B. God would always go before him
C. He was filled with God’s word
D. He would have to be hungry
Answer: C. He was filled with God’s word
Explanation: Ezekiel’s eating of the scroll signified that he had wholly absorbed God’s word and message.
Question 36
A good example of parental responsibility was demonstrated by
A. Eli
B. Samuel
C. David
D. Asa
Answer: D. Asa
Explanation: Asa is the example intended to show responsible leadership and parental duty.
Question 37
The story of Gehazi demonstrated God’s hatred for
A. Disobedience
B. Greed
C. Envy
D. Tyranny
Answer: B. Greed
Explanation: Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, suffered leprosy because of his greed and dishonesty.
Question 38
Believers today are partakers of the New Covenant through
A. The gift of the spirit
B. Partaking in baptism by immersion
C. Obedience to church leadership
D. Adherence to all the sacraments
Answer: A. The gift of the spirit
Explanation: The Holy Spirit’s life-changing gift enables believers to enter and participate in the New Covenant.
Question 39
“Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?” David’s dependence on God for direction is depicted in the statement above when
A. Saul was within his grasp
B. Absalom had revolted against him
C. He was to go against Goliath
D. The Amalekites had raided Ziklag
Answer: D. The Amalekites had raided Ziklag
Explanation: After the Amalekites attacked and set Ziklag ablaze, David asked God whether he should chase the raiders.
Question 40
Paul in Thessalonians declared that at the second coming of the Lord, those who are alive will not precede those that are
A. Condemned
B. Ignorant
C. Faithful
D. Asleep
Answer: D. Asleep
Explanation: Paul assures the Thessalonians that those still alive at Christ’s return will not go ahead of believers who have died.
Question 41
“Leave the dead to bury their own dead…” Jesus’ statement above to the man He asked to follow Him was indicative of
A. His desire to save the man
B. His power over death
C. The cost of discipleship
D. The futility of life
Answer: C. The cost of discipleship
Explanation: By telling someone to let the dead bury their own dead, Jesus underlined the high cost, immediate urgency and overriding importance of discipleship.
Question 42
When the wall of Jerusalem was broken down the survivors who escaped exile were in great
A. Frustration
B. Trouble and shame
C. Disappointment
D. Confusion and dismay
Answer: B. Trouble and shame
Explanation: Those who escaped deportation but stayed behind endured severe difficulties and disgrace amid the ruined walls.
Question 43
During the Temple’s repair, King Josiah commanded that the money for the work be given to the workmen without asking for an account of it because
A. They were honest men
B. They were to be tested first
C. There was no room for that
D. The king acquired from God
Answer: A. They were honest men
Explanation: Josiah did not require the temple repair workers to account for the money entrusted to them, since they had shown themselves completely trustworthy.
Question 44
“Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God…” The statement above marked the conversion of
A. Philip
B. Cornelius
C. Saul of Tarsus
D. The Ethiopian Eunuch
Answer: B. Cornelius
Explanation: The angel’s message that his prayers and charitable gifts had risen as a memorial signalled a turning point in Cornelius’s conversion.
Question 45
According to Paul in Philippians, Jesus demonstrated humility when he
A. Likened himself to God
B. Had pity on the possessed man
C. Took the form of man
D. Forgave those who crucified Him
Answer: C. Took the form of man
Explanation: In Philippians, Paul points to Christ’s great humility in becoming human and assuming a servant’s role.
Question 46
What effect did the decision of the Council of Jerusalem have on the Early Church?
A. Members became more united
B. The Jews became leaders to the community
C. The church experienced freedom from persecution
D. Gentiles were free to be members
Answer: D. Gentiles were free to be members
Explanation: The Jerusalem Council’s historic ruling allowed Gentiles to enter the church without having to bear onerous requirements of the law.
Question 47
“The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.” The statement above in Peter was directed to those who
A. Built the temple in Jerusalem
B. Led the Jews to Jesus’ execution
C. Had sinned against Jesus Christ
D. Opposed spiritual sacrifices
Answer: B. Led the Jews to Jesus’ execution
Explanation: The image of the rejected stone in 1 Peter 2:7 concerns unbelievers who refuse to recognize Christ as precious.
Question 48
The church that was commended for giving even when in extreme poverty was in
A. Corinth
B. Galatia
C. Thessalonica
D. Macedonia
Answer: D. Macedonia
Explanation: Paul praised the Macedonian congregations for giving freely, even more than they could afford, while enduring harsh trials and deep poverty (2 Corinthians 8:1–5).
Question 49
Daniel and others opted for vegetables and water in place of the king’s food and wine because
A. They were fasting for Israel
B. The king’s food was not palatable
C. The king’s food would defile them
D. God was not happy with Israel’s situation
Answer: C. The king’s food would defile them
Explanation: Daniel 1:8–9.
Question 50
”…I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God…”
A. Israel’s acceptance of His supremacy
B. Assurance to Isaiah of His existence
C. His sovereignty
D. His divine nature
Answer: C. His sovereignty
Explanation: The words “I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God” affirm God’s complete and unrivalled sovereignty.