BJC Religious Studies Exam Notes

Religious Studies Exam Notes

Exam: Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC)
Subject: Religious Studies 0056
Topic: St. Mark's/Luke's Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles
Date: Friday, 26 May 2023, 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Sections:
- Section I: Answer ALL questions
- Section II: Answer TWO of questions 4 to 7

Definition of Parable: A simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.
Representation in the Parable:
- Seed: The Word of God.
- Soil: The hearts of people.
Seeds Among Thorns: The seeds that fell among thorns represent people who hear the Word, but their lives are choked by life's worries, riches, and pleasures, and they do not mature.
Seeds by the Path/Wayside (Spiritual Meaning): Seeds that fell by the path represent those who hear the Word, but the devil comes and takes away the Word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
Spreading the Word of God:
- The question asks for agreement or disagreement on whether believers must do a better job of spreading the Word of God.
- Requires reasons to support the answer.

Who Said These Words and To Whom:
- Who: The Holy Spirit.
- Whom: The prophets and teachers at the church in Antioch.
Activity Before the Words: The people were ministering to the Lord and fasting.
Definition of Commission: To give someone the official authority to do something.
How Barnabas and Saul Were Commissioned: Through prayer and the laying on of hands.
Preaching the Gospel:
- The question asks for agreement or disagreement on whether all believers are called to preach the Gospel.
- Requires reasons to support the answer.

(a) Zachariah and the Angel: Zachariah was serving as a priest in the temple, offering incense, when the angel visited him.
(b) Jesus in the Temple: Jesus was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
(c) Death of John the Baptist:
- How: He was beheaded.
- Who: Herod ordered his killing.
(d) Disciples Breaking the Law: Jesus' disciples plucked heads of grain and ate them on the Sabbath, which was considered work and therefore unlawful according to strict interpretations of the Sabbath law.
(e) Plans of the Rich Fool: The rich fool planned to tear down his barns and build bigger ones to store all his grain and goods, intending to take life easy, eat, drink, and be merry.
(f) Jesus' Drink on the Cross: Jesus was given wine vinegar (sour wine) to drink while He was on the cross.
(g) Rules for Gentile Believers:
1. Abstain from food sacrificed to idols.
2. Abstain from blood.
3. Abstain from sexual immorality.
(h) Paul's Anger in Athens: Paul was distressed to see that the city was full of idols.
(i) Characteristics of Seventh Day Adventists:
1. They observe the Sabbath on Saturday.
2. They emphasize healthy living and a vegetarian diet.
(j) Founder and Holy Book of Islam:
- Founder: Muhammad.
- Holy Book: Quran.

(a) Reasons for Following Jesus:
1. To hear His teachings.
2. To be healed of diseases.
(a) Treating Enemies:
1. Love your enemies.
2. Do good to those who hate you.
3. Bless those who curse you.
(b) Judging Others:
- Judge: To form an opinion or conclusion about someone or something.
- Why: Jesus said not to judge others because with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
(c) Blind Leading the Blind:
- What: Both will fall into a pit.
- Explain: This means that if someone who lacks understanding tries to guide someone else who also lacks understanding, both will end up in trouble.
(d) Loving Enemies:
- Asks for agreement or disagreement.
- Requires reasons to support your answer.

(a) Legion:
- Legion: A large number or multitude; in Roman times, a unit of 3,000–6,000 soldiers.
- Reaction: The demoniac, possessed by Legion, knelt before Jesus and shouted, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!"
- (ii) Demoniac's Behavior: He lived in the tombs, was naked, and was driven by the demon into solitary places.
(b) Pigs and People:
- What: The demons entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.
- Reaction: The people were afraid and asked Jesus to leave their region.
(c) Healed Man:
- What: The healed man asked to go with Jesus.
- How: Jesus did not let him but told him to go home and tell how much God has done for him.
(d) Casting Out Demons Today:
- Asks for agreement or disagreement on whether all believers have the power to cast out demons.
- Requires reasons to support your answer.

(a) Definitions:
- Martyr: A person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs.
- Persecution: Hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race or political or religious beliefs.
(a) Stephen:
- Who: Stephen was a deacon in the early church, full of faith and the Holy Spirit.
- Why: He was arrested for blasphemy after performing great wonders and signs among the people and debating with members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen.
(b) Stephen's Defense: He recounted the history of Israel, emphasizing God's faithfulness despite Israel's rebellion, and then accused them of resisting the Holy Spirit just as their ancestors had persecuted the prophets.
(c) Similarities Between Stephen's and Jesus' Arrest and Death:
1. Both were falsely accused.
2. Both were tried before religious authorities.
3. Both prayed for their persecutors while dying.
(d) Christians Dying for Beliefs:
- Asks for agreement or disagreement on whether Christians are no longer willing to die for what they believe.
- Requires reasons to support your answer.

(a) Paul and the Slave Girl:
- Why: Paul was annoyed because the slave girl, who had a spirit of divination, kept following Paul and Silas and crying out, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved."
- How: Paul turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.
(a) Charges and Punishment for Paul and Silas:
- Charges: They were accused of disturbing the city and advocating customs unlawful for Romans to accept or practice.
- Punishment: They were stripped, beaten with rods, and thrown into prison.
(b) Midnight in Jail: There was a violent earthquake that shook the prison to its foundations. All the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose.
(c) Magistrate's Apology: Because Paul and Silas were Roman citizens and they had been beaten and imprisoned without a trial, which was against Roman law. Also, the magistrates were afraid when they realized what they had done.
(d) Apologizing:
- Asks for agreement or disagreement on whether it's hard to apologize sometimes.
- Requires reasons to support your answer.