Story of Redemption Final Exam

Describe the role of Stephen in the narrative of Acts. Explain how God uses Stephen's death to work towards the fulfillment of Acts 1:8

Stephen was a dynamic preacher and miracle-worker; Because of his proclamation other Christians began to proclaim Christ in Samaria which led to many Samaritans trusting in Christ.

Define the parable. Explain the suggested interpretive strategy for reading parables.

it is a short story drawn from everyday life (farming, family, etc.); certain details in story represent a spiritual truth; parables are used to teach about the nature of the kingdom of God

Describe the historical context that surrounded the composition and reception of Revelation.

Promise of a blessing for those who keep "the words of the prophecy written in the scroll"; Warning for those who are sexual immoral, murderers, idolaters, and liars; Jesus assures his people that his return in imminent

Describe the events that both preceded Paul's conversion and the events that occurred on the Damascus Road.

Saul was left blinded and is taken to Damascus where he fasted and prayed for three days then God sent a disciple named Ananias to visit Saul and restore his sight.....but on the way to Damascus Saul has a miraculous encounter with Jesus

State the two events which are in view, during the Olivet Discourse.

Fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and Jesus's second coming

State Paul's standard missionary strategy when he arrived in a new city. Articulate why and how Paul's missionary strategy changes when he preaches in the marketplace of Athens.

He presents God as Creator and the only one worthy of worship; emphasizes to them that they will find God only through the resurrected Christ

State the basic question that dominates Revelation.

"Who is Lord?"

List the four major groups who opposed Jesus; why did each group have conflict with Jesus?

(1) Satan, (2) his family, (3) his disciples, (4) the Jewish religious officials; Jesus teaches that there must be a change in heart and not just action, but the religious leaders insist upon an extensive web of man-made rules which create a "fence" around God's Law keeping people away from disobedience

Explain how Jesus re-shapes Messianic expectations of the disciples and the people of Israel.

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Explain the central question and subsequent answer that was addressed at the Jerusalem Council.

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List the events of Holy Week in order, paying special attention to Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

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Identify the two categories of sinners in the New Testament; explain why Jesus is willing to be a "friend of sinners." Articulate the 1st century cultural implications of table fellowship.

A person who opposes God's will or a person who fails to measure up to standards of religious purity; Because Jesus loves people more than empty rituals and He demonstrated how God graciously will open the doors of His kingdom to anyone who will recognize their own sinfulness and need for Him; Persons that were deemed religiously unfit were social outcasts and could be permanently excluded from religious and social life in Israel

Explain both the significance of John's Baptism and the reason why Jesus was baptized.

Because John's job was to prepare the people to receive Christ and then fade into the horizon; In his baptism, Jesus identified with humanity

Explain why Peter's confession is the turning point of Jesus's public ministry

Because in his confession He confessed Jesus as the Messiah

List and explain the three parts of the Great Commission.

GO, BAPTIZE, TEACH- Go anywhere from across the seas to across the street and make genuinely committed followers (disciples) then baptize which is the birthplace of the new life in Christ, then lastly teach which is the lifelong process of growing in Christ and yielding to the leading of the Holy Spirit

Give a historical and thematic overview of the following biblical books: James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude, Hebrews, Galatians, 1-2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Corinthians, Romans, Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1-2 Timothy, Titus, and 1-3 John (PART 2)

Galatians (Free to Love!)-1st letter Paul writes;to counter false teachings, he reminds them that the Gospel rests on Christ alone not some mixture of Jesus and Judaism; Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus not a result of our works; Christians are empowered by the Spirit to love and serve one another and thus fulfill the Law. 1-2 Thessalonians (How to Live in the Light of Christ's Return)- Since opposition to the Gospel had been especially intense in this city, Paul challenges this church to be faithful in the midst of suffering by always remembering the hope they have in Christ's Second Coming; His second letter clears up any confusion about the Second Coming and encourages holy living. 1-2 Corinthians (Solving Problems in the Church)-Paul's relationship with this church was the most troubled of all churches he planted; Paul addresses a range of problems including incorrect beliefs, pride, and spiritual immaturity; he actually wrote four letters to this church but only two have been preserved; in 2 Corinthians, he defends his apostolic authority and seeks reconciliation

Describe the unique perspective of the genealogies found in Matthew and Luke.

Genealogy in Matthew starts Abraham- Jesus while the genealogy in Luke starts Jesus- Adam which signals that the Messiah is for all people not just the Jews

Identify the centering vision of Revelation. Explain the role of the Lion-Lamb in Revelation.

God on His throne. Jesus defeats evil by His death and resurrection

State the meaning of the phrase "kingdom of God.'How can persons enter the kingdom?

God's rule and reign over creation, including his people; Repent and believe the good news

Describe the historical significance of the festival of Pentecost. Explain how Pentecost fulfills Joel 2:28-32.

It's a celebration of God for his provision and his rescue of Israel from Egypt as well as celebrating the giving of the Law of Sinai

Give a historical and thematic overview of the following biblical books: James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude, Hebrews, Galatians, 1-2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Corinthians, Romans, Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1-2 Timothy, Titus, and 1-3 John

James (Authentic Faith Acts!)- written by James (Jesus half brother/ leader in Jerusalem church), offers practical advice for everyday living, argues that godly wisdom is proven by its actions. 1 Peter (Stand Firm in God's Grace)- Challenges Christians to stand firm in the face of persecution by grabbing hold of God's grace (provides: identity, holiness, and the strength to be faithful in the midst of suffering. 2 Peter an Jude(Stand Firm in God's Truth)- Confronts false teachers who reject the power of Scripture, promote ungodly behavior, and deny the return of Christ and the future judgment; explains that the best defense against false teaching is to be rooted and grounded in God's truth. Hebrews (God's Final Word Is Jesus)- Author is not identified; encourages Christians who are growing weary of the pressure of persecution and are tempted to return to Judaism; emphasizes that Jesus is God's supreme revelation and the Only Way to Him.

Outline the events of Paul's life and letters. Trace Paul's three missionary journeys on a map.

Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria

Explain the theological significance of Jesus cursing the Jerusalem temple.

Jesus cursed the temple because it left the false impression that it was the place where a person could meet God

Explain the theological significance of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples.

Jesus sets an example that his disciples must follow the example that followers of Christ must humble themselves and serve others and each other

Articulate the theological significance of Jesus overcoming temptation in the wilderness.

Showing that he is also 100% man; He gets tempted but overcame his temptations

Articulate the theological significance of the story of Peter and Cornelius.

Peter visits the home of Cornelius and leads him, his family, and his friends to faith in Jesus

Explain the theological significance of Jesus re-interpreting Passover in light of his upcoming death and resurrection.

Reminded the Jews of how God had delivered their ancestors from slavery in Egypt under the leadership of Moses

Give a historical and thematic overview of the following biblical books: James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude, Hebrews, Galatians, 1-2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Corinthians, Romans, Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1-2 Timothy, Titus, and 1-3 John (PART 3)

Romans (A Righteousness from God)- Written in anticipation of Paul's visit to Rome; summarizes the gospel he had been preaching all over the Mediterranean world( Salvation cannot be earned by works; it's a gift of God's grace and is received through faith). Philemon- Paul writes to persuade Philemon to welcome back Onesimus( a runaway slave) as a brother of Christ instead of punishing him as the law allowed; our connection to Christ unites us to people across all barriers; Colossians- Paul confronts false teaching which reduces the importance of Christ in our relationship with God. Ephesians- Paul describes our new life in Christ, the new community we share with other believers, and our new responsibilities to live as God's people. Philippians- Paul enjoyed an intimate relationship with the church of Philippi. 1-2 Timothy- Paul's first letter to Timothy focuses on the necessity of truth and the need to correct some false teaching of the Ephesian churches and his second letter to Timothy is his personal farewell before his execution. Titus- Paul outlines how the church must live in a pagan society which had become especially difficult for the Christians living on the island of Crete where Titus is ministering. 1-3 John-John wrote three letters about the same time he wrote Revelation; he wrote to reinforce the traditional teaching about Jesus and the true Christian faith

Explain the theological significance of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.

That He is Lord over life and death

What is the singular message when Peter's confession and the transfiguration are read together?

That Jesus is Christ, the Son of the Living God

Describe the three major ways scholars have interpreted Revelation. Explain the three major millennial views.

The Idealist position argues Revelation is only concerned with events at the end of history, The Preterist position argues Revelation tells first-century Christians how God will deliver them from the evils of the Roman Empire, The Historicists position argues Revelation supplies a prophetic overview of church history from the first century until the future coming of Christ...Post-millennialism: The gospel of Christ will eventually triumph and bring about the 1000-year millennial age. The progress of the gospel will usher in the spiritual reign of Christ, A-millennialism: The "1000-years" should be interpreted symbolically not literally-- either the heavenly reign of Christ with Christians who have already died or the spiritual reign of Christ in the hearts of believers on earth, Pre-millennialism: Christ will return before establishing an earthly reign with his people. This may/may not be a literal 1000-year period of time, but it will be full and complete earthly reign

Explain the two ages of Jewish history; explain how Jesus's ministry fits into this schema.

this age and the age to come;

State four rationalistic alternatives to the bodily resurrection of Jesus. Explain the persuasive reasons for believing that the bodily resurrection of Jesus really happened.

~Coma (Jesus only appeared to die) ~Theft (someone stole Jesus's body) ~wrong tomb (the tomb was empty, but it wasn't Jesus's tomb) ~ Legend created by the church (disciples began to have dreams about Jesus being alive)