Question 1

In Nero's persecution of Christianity, Christians were accused of _____.
A) infanticide
B) arson
C) cannibalism
D) incestuous relationships

Accepted Answer

Nero accused Christians of arson, specifically for the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD, as a pretext to persecute them.

Question 2

Pliny executed Christians because _____.
A) Christianity was illegal
B) they killed babies
C) they refused to worship the gods
D) they disrupted families

Accepted Answer

Pliny executed Christians primarily because they refused to worship the Roman gods and the emperor, which was seen as a refusal to participate in the civic and religious life of the Roman Empire.

Question 3

The author of 1 Peter addresses his audience as _____.
A) exiles
B) gentiles
C) Jews
D) Pauline Christians

Accepted Answer

The author of 1 Peter addresses his audience as "exiles," which is metaphorical for Christians living in a world they do not belong to, emphasizing their temporary status on earth and their true citizenship in heaven.

Question 4

All of the following are true about Christianity in the Roman Empire except _____.
A) it was suspect because it was a new movement
B) it was persecuted because it neglected the gods
C) it was illegal
D) it was originally thought of as a subgroup of Judaism

Accepted Answer

Christianity was not officially illegal in the Roman Empire; however, Christians were often persecuted for various reasons, including their refusal to worship Roman gods. The legality of Christianity varied, and it was not uniformly outlawed across the empire until specific edicts were issued. Christianity's status changed significantly in 313 AD with the Edict of Milan, which granted religious freedom throughout the empire.

Question 5

1 Peter is primarily concerned with _____.
A) Christian orthodoxy
B) false prophets
C) leadership of the clergy
D) Christian suffering

Accepted Answer

1 Peter is primarily concerned with encouraging Christians to endure suffering and persecution with patience and faith, emphasizing the theme of Christian suffering.

Question 6

1 Peter addresses Christian persecutions by _____.
A) former acquaintances
B) the governor
C) the emperor
D) Jews

Accepted Answer

1 Peter addresses Christian persecutions primarily in the context of suffering under unjust treatment, which could include mistreatment by former acquaintances who do not understand the new faith of the converts.

Question 7

According to 1 Peter, for what must Christians not suffer?
A) doing right
B) doing what is wrong
C) standing up for the gospel
D) their beliefs

Accepted Answer

1 Peter emphasizes that Christians should not suffer for doing what is wrong, implying that suffering should be for righteousness, not for wrongdoing.

Question 8

1 Peter claims to have been written in Babylon, a most likely a code word for _____.
A) Jerusalem
B) Alexandria
C) Rome
D) Corinth

Accepted Answer

The term "Babylon" is most likely a code word for Rome in the context of 1 Peter. This interpretation aligns with the historical context and the symbolic use of "Babylon" to refer to a place of exile and oppression, characteristics associated with Rome for early Christians.

Question 9

1 Peter was probably written _____.
A) in the beginning of the first century
B) in the late first century
C) in the middle of the second century
D) in the late second century

Accepted Answer

1 Peter was likely written in the late first century, around A.D. 60-65, by the Apostle Peter.

Question 10

Who leaves behind a father and infant son to suffer martyrdom in a Roman amphitheatre?
A) Barnabas
B) Perpetua
C) Ignatius
D) Polycarp

Accepted Answer

Perpetua, a young mother, was martyred in a Roman amphitheatre and is known for leaving behind a father and an infant son. Her story is documented in "The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity."

Question 11

Whose martyrdom closely parallels the Gospels' Passion narratives?
A) Perpetua's
B) Felicitas'
C) Polycarp's
D) Peter's

Accepted Answer

Polycarp's martyrdom is noted for its close parallels to the Passion narratives in the Gospels, particularly in the manner of his arrest, trial, and the miraculous nature of his death, which echoes the story of Jesus' crucifixion and the events leading up to it.

Question 12

At the end of the first century, approximately what percentage of the Roman Empire was Christian?
A) less than one
B) two
C) five
D) ten

Accepted Answer

At the end of the first century, Christianity was still in its infancy and had not yet spread widely throughout the Roman Empire. The number of Christians was very small compared to the total population of the empire, making the percentage less than one.

Question 13

Scholars have suggested all of the following contributed to Christian conversions in the first three centuries of the faith except _____.
A) martyrdoms
B) the church's role as a social network
C) stories of Jesus' miracles and power
D) the New Testament canon

Accepted Answer

The New Testament canon was not fully developed until the fourth century, so it could not have directly contributed to conversions in the first three centuries.

Question 14

Which term describes the process by which a group of individuals comes to understand itself as distinct?
A) socialization
B) self-definition
C) isolation
D) prophecy-fulfillment

Accepted Answer

Self-definition is the process through which a group of individuals comes to understand and define itself as distinct from others. This involves the collective recognition and articulation of the group's unique characteristics, values, and beliefs.

Quiz 17: Christian Conflicts With Jews and Pagans: Hebrews and 1 Peter

In Nero's persecution of Christianity, Christians were accused of _____.

Pliny executed Christians because _____.

The author of 1 Peter addresses his audience as _____.

All of the following are true about Christianity in the Roman Empire except _____.

1 Peter is primarily concerned with _____.

1 Peter addresses Christian persecutions by _____.

According to 1 Peter, for what must Christians not suffer?

1 Peter claims to have been written in Babylon, a most likely a code word for _____.

1 Peter was probably written _____.

Who leaves behind a father and infant son to suffer martyrdom in a Roman amphitheatre?

Whose martyrdom closely parallels the Gospels' Passion narratives?

At the end of the first century, approximately what percentage of the Roman Empire was Christian?

Scholars have suggested all of the following contributed to Christian conversions in the first three centuries of the faith except _____.

Which term describes the process by which a group of individuals comes to understand itself as distinct?