SOME BIBLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

EPIPHANY

Epiphany means presentation of Jesus Christ, to the Magi (three wise men) on the 12 day of His birth. But this occasion is not important to most of the Christians like Christmas and Easter. And majority of Christians heard of the twelve days of Christmas and the impact behind them. Probably the song of Santa Claus at that time must be a reference to the birth of Jesus Christ’s twelve days and Epiphany. With the presentation of Jesus to the Magi on that

SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM and feasts. It falls on 6th of January, for majority of Christians. But Roman Catholics celebrate this only on Sunday, between 6th and 8th prior to mass, in the church, there will be a procession, then gifts are presented like Magi, gold, Frankincense and Myrth, before communion and finally pageants by children.

There are three types of symbols of references like Magi and their three gifts. The five pointed star signifies their celestial Navigator. Christians bless their homes traditionally on the day of Epiphany. This custom actually began during Middle Ages. At that time, the priest used to go from door to door and bless the families. Modern blessings are done by the families themselves, with incense, holy water and singing of hymn by the whole family. The blessings will be culminated with a writing on the door, “Anno Domine” with a piece of chalk and the year of the Lord CMB. This refers to the Magi, Casper, Melchior and Balthesar. This CMB also stands for “Christus, Mansionem, Benedicat”. This is Latin saying for “Bless this house”.

As Christmas festival does not complete without feasts, Epiphany celebration also incomplete without family parties, or children focused events or adults dinners. This Epiphany signifies the start of carnival in New Orleans and the king cake rules the day. This celebration is different in rocky mountain regions. They toss only fruit cake. So, it is the proposal of some believers to start our own Epiphany custom in our families. Let us try to observe at least some of the items that are mentioned above. In this connection, let us remember one thing. Jesus provided love and joy to the entire humanity. The same thing, the Magi also experienced by coming from such a long distance. We must try to enjoy the emotions of the day but not only solemn devotion. God wants all of us to feel joy, of love which is His gift to us. Let us be thankful to God, for giving another happy occasion for the celebration of Epiphany.

In spite of all the information about Epiphany so far, there is some controversy, regarding the date of the visiting of the Magi, the birth place of Jesus. I happened to read some books of historical background of the Bible I found in one of the books, the Magi were the descendants of priesthood families. They belonged to Persia. They used to spend their lives like wandering tribals. They were well versed in astronomy. As Persia is very far from Bethlehem, they took more than one year to reach the place in their roten wandering and came to the birth place of Jesus with the guidance of the light of star (Shekinah). It seems there is a grain of truth in the time, because when they met King Herod, they told him, when they started. Basing on the date and time of their journey the king calculated and ordered for killing of the boys in Bethlehem who were two years and less. The Magi had full knowledge of astronomy and could foretell future events also.

SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM CHAPTER - 18

SOME BIBLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1.What is the Bible?

Bible is the inspired word of God. It is His revelation to all people about

Himself and His plan of salvation.

2.What is the meaning of ‘testament’?

A’testament’ is a covenant (contract or agreement).

3.How many people have been inspired by God to write the Bible?

About 40 people.

4.How many years different people took to write the Bible?

About 1600 years.

5.What does Gospel mean?

Good News.

6.What is the main subject of the four Gospels?

The life and teachings, death and resurrection of christ.

7.Who wrote more books in the Bible?

Apostle Paul.

8.Which book of the Bible tells about the beginning of the church?

The book of Acts.

9.Name the New Testament book that composed entirely the prophesies of

future?

The book of Revelation.

10.What is the meaning of epistle?

A letter sent by an apostle.

11. Which is the largest book in the Bible?

The book of Psalms.

12.How are people different from animals?

God created people in his own image (Genesis 1:27)

13.How Did people rebel against God after flood?

By building the Tower of Babel to reach heaven (Genesis11:4) and also to

worship the sun god.

14.Why was it wrong for Lot to live in Sodom?

Because the men of Sodom were very wicked sinners.

15.Who was Melchezidic?

He was a shepherd boy. God first anointed him as high priest. Later he became

the king of Salem, which is later known as Jerusalem. He is also called the king

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16.By what miracle did Israel leave the land of Egypt?

By the miracle of the partition of the Red Sea.

17.In which book can we find the ten commandments?

In the book of Exodus, chapter 20.

18.What did Israel build to worship God in wilderness?

The Tabernacle or the mobile temple.

19.What must have been the main purpose of Israel’s sacrifices and offerings?

To make atonement for their sins (Leviticus 5: 1-6).

20.How did God lead Israelites in wilderness?

With the appearance of cloud by day and as a pillar of fire during the night

(Numbers 9 : 15-23).

21.Why were the 12 spies sent by Moses to Canaan?

To find out what type of land it was and to know what kind of people were

living there (Numbers 13 : 16 -20)

22.How did Moses disobey God at the place of Meribah?

God told Moses to speak with a rock for water but he struck hard at the rock

with his rod (Numbers 20 : 7 -13).

23. From which mountain Moses could see the promised land?

Mount Nebo

24.Who were the two men that left Egypt and reached Canaan?

Joshua and Caleb.

25.By what miracle did the children of Israel enter the promised land?

God stopped the flow of Jordan river when it was in flood.

13 times – one on each day of 6 days and 7 times on the seventh day (Joshua

6:3-4?).

The sun and the moon stopped their movement and stood still.

night time?

It was Samuel (1 Samuel 3 : 2-20).

It was Samson.

Because they wanted to be like other nations.

For disobying the command of God.

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It was divided into two as the Southern kingdom of Judha with two tribes and

Northern kingdom of Israel with 10 tribes.

Carmel?

To make heathens understand that Israel God is the only true God and there is

no other.

They were Ahab and Jezebel (1 kings 21 : 4-5).

Elisha’s command?

Naaman (2 kings 5:10 -14).

was healed?

Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:8-10).

Esther (Esther 2: 16,17)

God?

Job (Job 1: 7-22).

Jeremiah.

The Messiah would be born at Bethlehem.

Shepherds and three wise men.

About 30 years old.

Matthew (Matthew 10:3). Who was known as Levi.

Peter, Andrew, James, and John (Mathew 4: 18-22).

with the word blessing?

Beatitudes (Matthew 5: 2-11).

mountain?

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Jesus was transfigured (Showed his glory) and talked with Moses and Elijah

(Matthew 17 : 1-8).

They were Peter, James and John (Matthew 17: 1).

Place of the skull (Matthew 27:33).

The sun became dark for three hours and there was an earthquake (Matthew

27 :40-51).

The gift of the Holy Spirit(Acts 2:1-4).

Mary Magdalene (John 20:1-18).

An angel had rolled way the stone of entrance.

Spirit?

About 120 people.

About 3000 people.

They lied with the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3).

To show all people what sin is(Romans 3:20).

In order to resist the attack of the devil (Ephesians 6:14).

Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14).

The Word of God.

Because he loved us first (1 John 4:19).

God showed him what was going to happen in the last days (Revelation 4:1).

An apostle is a special messenger sent by God.

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Faith is belief and complete trust in God.

When we refuse to do God’s will as revealed by His Word and His Spirit (1

John 3:4).

Redemption is the price Jesus paid for our salvation.

Death is the separation of the body and soul (Luke 12:20).

A prophet is a person whom God has chosen to speak for Him in a special way

with the power of the Holy Spirit (Judges 4:4).

Angels are spiritual beings created by God (Hebrews 1:14).

Prayer means talking to God.

A changed mind, heart and direction.

The moment we accept Jesus as our savior God will also accept us as if we had

not sinned (Romans 5: 1)

The Holy Spirit inspired the Holy men giving them both truth and words to

write (2 Peter 1:21).

Heaven and earth may pass away but my word will never pass way (Matthew

24:35).

1 Corinthians 13 chapter.

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

It is a story about familiar things which helps us understand the truth behind it.

They are law, history, poetry, and prophecy.

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After they returned from the captivity of Babylon, the books of Ezra and

Nehemiah revealed about them.

The fear of the Lord (In respect).

God wants us to worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Divine son of God and as human son.

lifetime?

About 300 prophesies.

God told the serpent that one of Eve’s descendants would defeat him (Genesis

3:15).

God promised to Abraham that through his seed (descendants) all the earth

would be blessed (Genesis 12:3).

God, the son, became flesh and lived among us.

Jesus did not have an earthly father but he had supernatural birth. Jesus was

both fully God and fully human (Matthew 1: 20).

By his natural birth Jesus could save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:

21).

The Lord is our savior (Matthew 1: 21).

The anointed one of God (Acts 4:26).

Messiah (John 1:41).

He proved Himself the son of God Savior and Lord (Romans 12:4).

To intercede with God for the people and offer sacrifices to atone for their sins

(Hebrews 5:1).

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According to John sin is disobedience (Transgression) to God’s command.

Christians must live in harmony with others. They should not feel proud of

themselves. They must associate themselves with the people of low positions.

They should not be conceited (Romans 12:16).

95.What is meant by vicarious atonement?

Jesus Christ bore the punishment for our sins. As he died on the cross and if we

accept him as our savior we do not get any punishment from God (1Peter 2:

24).

96.What is the meaning of intercession?

To pray to God for someone else (1 Timothy 2: 1).

97. Who will intercede for Christians?

The Holy Spirit and Jesus (Romans 8: 26).

98. What are the three main sources of temptation?

Satan, the world and our own evil desires (Matthew 4:1).

99. Whom does the Holy Spirit glorify?

Jesus Christ.

100.When did first God baptiz the believers in the Holy Spirit?

On the day of Pentecost.

SOME MORE EVENTS OF THE BIBLE

1.Apostle Paul pointed out that three things would make up God’s Kingdom

they are – righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).

2.Jesus is the foundation and head of the Church.

3.The main purposes of Baptism in the Holy Spirit are – It helps us to know

about Jesus Christ better. It helps to understand God’s word. It gives us power

to witness.

4.According to scripture Abraham was the first man who paid tithes from his

income. He paid that to the first high priest Melchezidic who was also called

the king of Salem.

5.The two important ordinances of the church are water baptism and

communion.

6.The baptism symbolizes two things – the death of old sinful nature and a new

life in Christ.

7.The millennium is a future period of one thousand years when Jesus Christ

will rule over the earth (Revelation 20:1-3).

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8.Those people who accepted Jesus Christ as their savior and whose names are

written in the book of lamb will have eternal life in heaven.

9.We do not find five things in heaven – they are tears (crying), death, sorrow,

pain and sin (Revelation 21: 4-27).

10. The devil or satan was originally an arch angel created by God in heaven.

His name was Lucifer. God happened to punish him because he tried to make

himself greater than God (Isaiah 14: 12-15).

11.We have to accept at least four logical evidences from the following that the

Bible is inspired. They are findings of archeology its unity, its endurance, its

timelessness, its influence on people and nations many prophesies are fulfilled.

12.The first five books of the old testament were written by Moses. They are

called Torah are Pentateuch.

13.There are 12 books in the old testament that speak about Biblical history.

They are – Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel , 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2

Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.

14.The five books of history in the new testament are – Mathew, Mark, Luke,

John, and Acts.

15.The 13 epistles written by apostle Paul are – Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians,

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and

2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.

16.The true characteristics of a Christian are – patience to be kind, not to feel

Jealous, not to have grudge, not to demand anything, not to feel glad about

injustice, rejoicing in truth, and endurance.

17.The Christians can live victoriously over sin by yielding to God blaming their

identification with death and resurrection of Jesus and allowing the spirit to

lead them.

18.It is said whoever conceals his sins does not prosper but whoever confesses

his sins and renounces them will find the mercy of God.

19.The last command of Jesus to his disciples was that they should not leave

Jerusalem until they receive the fullness of Holy Spirit.

20.There are four commandments out of 10 that keep our relationship with God

i)You shall have no other God before me.

ii)You shall not make for yourself an idol.

iii)You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

iv)Remember the Sabbath day (Exodus 20: 1-11).

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