CRE PAPER 2 (NEW TESTAMENT)

1. a) Account for the meaningful worship in the early church

Answer
- Because the believers believed in the Parousia
- Because they were guided by the holy spirit
- Because they used to baptize only adults
- Because of sharing material possessions
- Because they were united.
- Because they had genuine faith
- Because miracles were common during worship
- Because the believers were still very few (church still small)
- Because the Christians were more concerned about spiritual matters other than material
- Because the Kerygma was still fresh in their minds
- Because they used to pray constantly
- Because many of Jesus’ eye witnesses were still alive.
- Because the believers genuinely repented
- Because of love for one another.
- Because of the spirit of endurance
b) Justify the view that worship has lost meaning today.
- There is insincere repentance among some Christians
- Indecent dressing in places of worship e.g wearing mini-skirts by some female
worshippers.
- False prophecy
- Materialism
- Telling lies
- Some people concentrate on their garget like phones during worship
- Discrimination basing on economic status
- Hypocrisy in the church.
- Lack of faith among some Christians
- No reading the bible
- Sexual immorality is practiced in some places of worship
 - Turning the church into a political platform.
2. a) To what extent did persecution lead to the end of the oral period?
To a smaller extent.
- Persecution led to unstability among the apostles hence failing oral preaching, therefore
making necessary to write
- It led to death of oral preachers, hence making it necessary to write the gospel
- It created fear among the apostles to preach orally.
- It resulted into expansion of the church as believer fled to different places. Hence need
for writing.
- To defend the Christianity that it was not against the roman government as alleged by the
persecutors.
- It created fear among preachers.
To a greater extent (other factors)
- Improved literacy
- Delay of the Parousia
- Inspiration by the holy spirit
- The need for standards books for liturgical purposes
- Fading memories of the apostles
- Adoption of Greek as a universal language for writing the gospel.
- There was need to preserve the gospel in its original state before distortion
- The need to spread the gospel faster.
- Availability of writing materials
- Increased number of believers.
- The need for standard books for catechism
b) How do gospel preachers today respond to persecution?
- Some preachers pray
- Some fast
- Many endure
- Seeking for counseling
- Some Christians write the gospel/Christian books
- Reading the word of God (bible)
 - Some seek for legal action e.g pastor kayanja
- Some give testimonies
- Some change geographical location
- Some get bodyguards for security

3. a) Comment on the significance of Jesus healing the epileptic boy in Mark 9:14-29
- It signified lack of faith and limited prayer by Jesus’ disciples when they failed to
exercise the demand from the boy.
- It showed Jesus’ divinity when he drove out the demand from the boy instantly and by
just command.
- It showed Jesus’ humanity when he took the boy by hand and lifted him up.
- It signified Jesus’ attempt to hide his messaiac nature. He hurried to drive out the demon
when he saw that crowd was closing in.
- It signified Jesus’ power over satan when he drove out the demon from the boy.
- It showed the kingdom of God as a present reality.
- It signified Jesus’ love for mankind by healing the boy
- It showed that with faith in God, everything is possible as Jesus himself put it.
- It showed that satan cause suffering to man e.g the demon would throw the boy in fire,
water etc
- It was a way of spreading the goodness after witnessing the miracle
- It signified the man’s little faith and the desire to get more faith as he him put it.
- It portrayed that satan had enslaved the epilyptic boy since childhood as his father said.
- It portrayed Jesus as the promised messiah who would exercise demons.
- It also showed Jesus’ faith which he used to health the boy.
- It showed Jesus’ as servant of mankind when healed the boy.
b) Of what relevance is the above incident to modern Christians?
- Modern Christians should have faith in God/Jesus in order to receive what they pray for.
- They should pray for the sick to be healed as Jesus did to the epilyptic.
- They should believe in Jesus as the expected Messiah.
- They should take the sick people to religious leaders to pray for their healing as the father
of the boy took him to Jesus’ disciples.
- They showed love one another.
- They should exercise demons by the power of God.
- They should trust in the divine power of God.
- They should serve others as Jesus did to the request of the father of the boy.
- They should spread the gospel of Christ
- They should uplift other spiritually as Jesus helped to healed boy to stand up.
- They should seek for more faith as the man requested Jesus to help him have more faith.
- They should rebuke satan since it causes suffering to man.
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4. “Mark’s gospel provides solution to the problem of Docetism”. Examine this
statement.
Docetism refers.
Jesus’s humanity
- Jesus preached the word of God like in any other human being e.g he preached at L.
Galilee.
- Jesus got annoyed for example when he gained that the temple of Jerusalem had been
misused (mk 11:15-17)
- Jesus had parents, brothers and sisters (Mk 6:2-3)
- Jesus worked like any other human being e.g he was as a carpenter (Mk 6:3)
- Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist (Mk 1:9-11)
- Jesus was tempted by the devil like any human being (Mk 1:12-13)
- Jesus felt hungry and so wanted to eat some figs (Mk 11:12-14)
- He felt compassion/pity for the needy people like the hungry (mk 6:34)
- He used to hide his identity as messiah for fear of being understood and thus killed (Mk
8:30)
- He used to pray in solitary places as humans do (Mk 1:35)
- He feared death like any human being e.g in the garden of Gathsamane (mk 14:33-36)
and on the cross (Mk 15:34)
- Jesus was arrested, tried and sentenced to death (Mk 14, 15)
- He was rejected e.g at Nazareth (Mk 6:4-6)
- Jesus preached in parables like any other human being e.g the parable of the sower (Mk
4:1-20)
- Jesus would get tired and sleep e.g in the boat (mk 4:38-39).
- Jesus used to appreciate good actions e.g the woman who anointed him at Bethany (Mk
14:1-9)
- Jesus taught about marriage like any other human being (mk 10:1-12)
- He was betrayed
- Jesus died and was buried (Mk 15:33-46)
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Jesus divinity
- Jesus was son of God (Mk 1:1), hence divine.
- During Jesus’ baptism, the heavens opened and the dove descended on him (Mk1:10)
- He cursed the fig tree and it dried instantly (Mk 11:12-14)
- He was protected by angels in the wilderness (1:12-13)
- The disciples left their nets at once and followed Jesus when he called them (Mk 16:18)
- He exorcised the demons at Geresa (Mk 5:1-16)
- Jesus spoke with authority which even the crowds did not know where he got it (Mk 6:1-
2)
- Jesus’ transfiguration (Mk 9:1-13)
- He forgave the sins of the paralysed man, which human had capacity to do (Mk 2:5)
- The triumphant entry to Jerusalem (11:1-11)
- Jesus healed diseases e.g leprosy instantly (Mk 1:40-45)
- Jesus rose Jairus’ daughter from death (Mk 5:37-43)
- He walked on water (Mk 6:48-50)
- Jesus calmed the storm (Mk 4:39)
- Jesus predicted his own death many tines (Mk 930-31)
- He multiplied the 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread to feed the 5,000 men (Mk 6:30-34)
- Jesus declared that his body and blood sealed the new and everlasting covenant (mk
14:22-25).
- When Jesus died, darkness covered the whole nation at mid-day, the temple curtain got
torn (Mk 15:38)
- He resurrected on the third day after his death and burial.
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5. a) Analyse the use of symbolism in the gospel of John.
The gospel of John uses ordinary things of everyday life to signify spiritual matters.
These include;
- Water symbolize eternal life e.g Jesus promised to give life giving water to the Samaritan
woman (Jn 4:14)
- Bread signifies Jesus’ body which was given up for man’s salvation
- Wine symbolizes Jesus blood which was poured for man’s salvation
- Light symbolized the true wisdom and spiritual understanding of God.
- Lamb of God symbolizes the humility and gentleness of Jesus before God the father.
- The word symbolizes God’s creative word through Jesus.
- The five husbands that the Samaritan woman had symbolizes the many gods the
Samaritans worshipped.
- Good shepherd symbolized God’s love and care for mankind revealed through Jesus.
- The cross symbolizes victory over satan as through Jesus’ death on the cross and
resurrection brought total destination of sin.
- The true vine meant Jesus is the true son of God.
- Being born again meant baptism of water and spirit hence repentance.
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b) Discuss the various symbols used by the church today.
- The cross symbolizes victory over the power of satan
- The rosary (in the Catholic Church) symbolizes the divine greetings of Mary the mother
of Jesus received from Angel Gabriel.
- Sprinkling water on the people’s forehead/emersion into water symbolizes baptism
- The white cloth used during baptism symbolizes purity/holiness.
- The candle light during baptism symbolizes one receiving the word of God.
- Laying of hands on the Christians symbolizes blessings and empowering them with the
Holy Spirit.
- Bread used during holy Eucharist symbolizes Jesus’ body.
- Wine symbolized Jesus’ blood
- Palm leaves used in Palm Sunday symbolizes Jesus Kingship and triumphant entry.
- The incense in the Catholic Church symbolizes cleansing of Christians and their
offertory.
- They ring used by the clergy symbolized union with the church, while that one of the
married symbolizes commitment to one another.
- The alter symbolizes the holy place of God.
- Kneeling symbolizes humbleness/humility.
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6. a) “You are not one of his disciples, are you? The girl at the door asked Peter. He
replied ‘I am not” john 18:17. Discuss the implication of the above incident
- It implied the human weakness of Peter when he denied Jesus because of fear.
- It implied fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy to Peter that he would deny him three times
before the cock crows three times
- It showed Peter’s lack of understanding of Jesus.
- It implied that Jesus’ divinity by foretelling the denial and it came to pass.
- It portrayed Jesus as a suffering servant of God, who was even denied by his own.
- It showed that Peter was a strong and ambitious leader who followed Jesus to the high
priest’s courtyard.
- It implied that Peter was being prepared for leadership of the future church.
- It portrayed Peter as a well-known disciple of Jesus who could not hide.
- It showed Peter’s love for Jesus when he followed him up to the high priest’s house.
- It showed Peter’s endurance when he experienced the cold nights and went near the fire
place.
- It showed Peter’s lack of understanding of Jesus when he denied him in fear for his life.
- It implied the girl’s contribution to the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy of Peter denying
him.
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b) Why do Christians deny Jesus today?
Because of the following
- Desire for money/material wealth
- Poor up bringing
- Lack of faith
- Drug abuse
- Presence of other religions like Islam
- Selfishness
- Impatience
- Peganic influences
- Unexemplary Christian leaders
- False teachings, hence confusing Christians
- Peer influence
- Unprayerfulness.
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7. To what extent is the presentation of the subject of the Lord’s Supper in the gospel
of Mark similar to that in john?
Similarities
- In both bread and wine were used
- In both it started in the evening and ended at night
- In both itcoincided with the Passover
- In both Jesus predicted the betrayal by JudahIscariot.
- Both were initiated by Jesus
- In both it marked the last meal Jesus had with his disciples before his death and
resurrection
- In both it involved only Jesus and his disciples.
- In both JudahIscariot left Jesus and the other disciples at table and went to fulfill his
mission.
- In both Jesus refers himself as son of man.
- In both Jesus predicted his death.
- In both Jesus assured the disciples that he will not drink any more wine until in the
kingdom of God.
- In both the disciple were shocked and worried about Jesus’ forth coming death.
- In both it was celebrated in a room at table.
- In both Jesus does not directly reveal the name of the betrayer.
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Differences
- In mark, the Lord’s Supper took place the day of Passover while in John it was a day
before.
- In mark, Jesus inaugurated the new and everlasting covenant while in John Jesus gives a
new commandment to one another.
- In John satan enter Judah Iscariot after eating bread while in Mark, satan had entered
Judah before the last supper.
- In Mark Jesus told his disciples that he will not take wine until in God’s kingdom while
in John he told them that he would not be with them any much longer.
- In Mark Jesus gave a brief teaching while in John he gave a lengthy teaching.
- In john jess bid farewell to the disciples whereas in Mark it was just a teaching.
- In Mark they sung a hymn after the Lord’s Supper and went to mt. Olive while in John
they just went away.
- In Mark, the disciples of Jesus asked him where to prepare the last supper whereas in
John the disciples seem to have no clear background about its preparation.
- In John, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet at the Lord’s Supper while in Mark they
celebrated it the way they were.
- In Mark, the Lord’s Supper replaces the animal sacrifices to God while in John Jesus
replaces the role of leaders to mean being servant of others.
- In Mark Jesus identifies the betrayer as one who dips a piece of bread with him while in
John Jesus identifies the betrayer as one he would give a piece of bread (morsel).
- In Mark all disciples were equally treated at the Lord’s supper while in John, John the
beloved disciple seemed to have special treatment by Jesus for he was leaning against
Jesus.
- In Mark, Judah continues at the Lord ’s Supper until the end while in John, Judah left
before the end of the lord’s supper to carry out his mission.

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8. a) ”despite the Jewish attitude of undermining women, they played a significant role
in Jesus’ ministry”. Justify this statement with reference to the gospel of St. John
- The Samaritan woman confessed Jesus as the messiah, prophet.
- She also became a disciple of Jesus when she went and called fellow Samaritans to come
and see Jesus.
- The mother of Jesus requested him to do something when they ran short of wine at a
wedding – Cana between Jews and Samaritans.
- Mary anointed Jesus with expensive oil at Bethany which prepared Jesus’ body for burial
in future
- Mary and Martha showed great faith in Jesus when they said their brother Lazarus would
not have died if Jesus was around.
- Mary confessed Jesus as the messiah/Christ
- Mary prepared dinner for Jesus
- The adulterous woman enables Jesus to expose the inadequacies of the Jewish law.
- Also she should have spread the news about Jesus who saved her from being stoned.
- Mary the mother and Mary Magdalene followed Jesus up to the cross and stood by the
side
- On Easter Sunday Mary Magdalene went to the tomb where Jesus had been buried and
found it empty.
- Mar Magdalene went and told peter and another disciple Jesus loved that the lord had
been taken away.
- Mary Magdalene was the first person to whom the risen Jesus appeared to go and inform
the disciples that he was going back to his father.
- Mary Magdalene went and spread the news about the risen Christ to the disciples and
Jesus’ brother.
b) What steps have been taken by the government of Uganda to uplift the status of
women?
- Encouraging girl child education.
- The policy of woman MP per district
- Appointing them into leadership positions e.g the speaker of parliament-Rebecca Kadaga,
KCCA.ED.
- Giving them opportunity to participate in politics
- Encouraging women development groups e.g
- Provision of loans to women for development
- Promotion of women legal organisations e.g FIDA
- The policy of 1.5points (free) to girls at university entry.
- Celebration of women’s day in Uganda on…………
- Improving maternity services in government health centres
- Protecting women from being oppressed and suppressed by putting in place probation
office at police
- Promoting family planning service.
- Offering scholarships to women and girls
- Maintenance of girls’ schools e.gGayaza high
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9 a) What compelled st.Paul to writehis first letter to the Corinthians?

- To encourage unity among the believers since they had divided into 4 groups i.ePaul’s
group, Peter’s, Appollo’s and Jesus’
- To discourage them from taking their fellow believers to pegan courts of law to settle
their disputes
- To advise them to expel the incetous man from the Christian fellowship since it was
giving a bad signal about the church.
- To discourage Christians from misusing their bodies into prostitution since they are holy
temples of God.
- To guide Christians on issues of marriage i.e whether to marry or not.
- To teach about food offered to idols, that it has no spiritual impact on one’s life since
food just passes through the body and goes out.
- To warn Christians against backsliding into paganism/idolatry
- To teach about the rights and duties of an apostle using the example of himself.
- To address the issues of veiling of women while in public worship since the women had
started going to church with uncovered heads against the usual.
- To remind Christians about the proper way of celebrating the Lord’s Supper.
- To guide Christians on the issues of spiritual gifts and their right and proper use.
- To address the issue of resurrection e.g that Christ resurrected and so believers will also
resurrect.
- To warn them against trusting in human wisdom
- To encourage permanence in marriage.
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b) Examine Paul’s reaction to the problem of law suits in the Corinthian church.
- Paul condemned the act of Christians taking disputes to ungodly people to judge them
instead of before the saints.
- Advised them to settle their disputes within among their fellowship but not going to
pegans
- Advised them to get one wise person among their group to settle their disputes
- He reminded them that they will be the ones to judge the world, so they should be able to
judge their trivial issues.
- He reminds them that they will judge even the angels
- The disputes implied that they had failed the Christian principles.
- He blamed them for wronging one another
- Reminded them that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God.
- It was wrong for Christians to cheat or wrong others.
- It was a shame to the church before pegans
- Reminded them that they had now been changed from their evil life before becoming
Christians.
- They had been justified by God’s spirit in the name of Jesus.
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10) Examine James teaching on the tongue and its application to modern Christians
James teaching on the tongue
- James encourages Christians to be quick to listen but slow to speak.
- Encourages Christians to tame/control the tongue
- Warned teachers/preachers that they will be judged with greater strictness.
- That a person who is able to control the tongue then is able to control his whole body
- A person who does not default in what he says is perfect.
- The tongue is small but can control the whole human body to any direction.
- He gave the example of abit (small) in the horse’s mouth which turns to any direction
- He also gave the example of a small rudder of a ship which steers it to where the pilot
wants it to go, so it the tongue.
- The tongue is small but boast about greater things.
- He gave the example of a small flame of fire which sets the whole forest ablase, so is the
tongue which can lead the whole person into trouble.
- Man has tamed all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles but no one has tamed the tongue.
- The tongue is a restless evil, full of deadly poison
- The tongue which praises God should not be used to curse others made in the likeness of
God.
- He used the example of fresh water does not come from the same open with bitter water.
- Fig tree cant bare olives, neither grapevines bear figs
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Application of the teaching
- Christians should control their tongue
- They should use their tongue fro only glorifying God.
- They should evaluate their speeches
- They should use the tongue to bless mankind
- Should be polite and humble in what they speak
- Should be quick to listen but slow to speak
- Should pray to God to be able to control the tongue.
- Should be careful with their tongue so as not misled them.
- Should use the tongue to lead exemplary lives
- They should practice monotheism in the use of their tongue
- They should be pure/holy by controlling the tongue
- They should be sincere and speak the truth
- They should use the tongue to create peace and harmony.
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11. a) Discuss Paul’s teaching on what justifies man with God.
- He said it is faith which puts man right with God.
- He said he live by faith in Christ who gave life for him.
- He said both Jesus and gentiles were saved by faith in JesusChrist’s death and
resurrection and not the law.
- He said that if one is put right with God through the Jewish law, then there was no reason
or Jesus’ death.
- He says that even apostles believed in order to be put right with God.
- They received the Holy Spirit as a result of their faith in Jesus Christ and not following
the law.
- God worked miracles among them because of their faith in Jesus Christ, not because they
followed the law.
- He used the example of himself who followed the Jewish law in order to win salvation
but instead turned him to a persecutor, but it was God’s grace through faith which put
him right with God.
- He gave the example of Abraham as one who was put right with God because of his faith.
- Through faith, Christians are united with Christ and are heirs of God.
- Through faith all are equal, men and women, Jew and gentiles, slaves or free people.
- He uses the example of Sarah to represent the idea of faith and heavenly Jerusalem freed
from the demands of the law.
- Isaac, Sarah’s son was born due faith in God’s promise and is the heir of Abraham.
- The covenant of faith was given 430 years before the covenant of the law.
- People without faith were spiritually immature and irresponsible.
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b) How do Christians today seek to be right with God?
- By getting baptized/baptism
- By repenting
- Preaching the gospel e.g Ps. Kiganda
- By writing Christian literature e.g Joyce Mayor
- By fasting
- By praying
- By attending Christian seminars
- By carrying out pilgrimages e.g to Jerusalem, Namugongo martyrs shrine
- Through praise and worship e.g Judith Babirye
- Through charitable works
- Through establishing churches e.g Ps. Kula Namutebi who established liberty worship
centre.
- Through tithing and offertory
- Through living celibate life e.g nuns and priests
- Through carrying out Holy matrimony.
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12. a) Discuss Peter’s call for holy living in his 1st letter.
- Peter encourages Christians to prepare their minds for action (spiritually)
- Encourages them to keep self-controlled
- Advised them to set their hope fully on the grace to be given when Christ is revealed.
- Called upon them to abandon the evil desires they had when they were still ignorant.
- He called upon the Christians to be holy for God who called them is holy.
- He reminds them of a father who judges each man’s work impartially.
- He told them to live their lives in reverent fear
- He reminded them that they were redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
- Jesus was chosen before the creation of the world but was revealed in these last times for
their sex
- Through Jesus, Christians believed in God who raised him from the dead.
- He told them that their faith and hope are in God.
- He reminded them that they had purified themselves by obeying the truth
- Encouraged them to love one another deeply from the heart
- Christians had been born again of imperishable through the living and enduring word of
God
- All men are like grass and so withers but the word of God stands forever.
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b) What lessons do modern Christians learn from the first letter of Peter?
- They should endure suffering for their faith
- They should live holy lives.
- They should prepare themselves for parousia
- They should believe in the living hope
- They should trust in Jesus the living stone
- They should practice baptism
- They should be humble
- Wives should respect their husbands
- Husbands should love their wives.
- Slaves/subjects should respect their masters even when they are harsh.
- Christians should obey religious leaders
- Religious leaders should be exemplary.
- They should obey and respect civil authority
- They should repent of their sins
- They should love one another.
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