Question 1

In the Acts of Paul, Paul's central message is:

Accepted Answer

In the Acts of Paul, one of the central themes is celibacy. Paul is depicted as promoting celibacy as a preferable way of life for followers of Christ, reflecting early Christian debates on the subject.

Question 2

Whom of the following was thought by the Gnostics to have been Paul's earthly disciple?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Whom of the following was thought by...

Question 3

According to both Jesus and Paul, how can the Law be summed up?

Accepted Answer

Both Jesus and Paul emphasize love as the fulfillment of the Law. Jesus teaches that loving God and loving one's neighbor as oneself are the greatest commandments, summarizing all the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 22:36-40). Similarly, Paul writes that the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Galatians 5:14).

Question 4

For the historical Jesus, the beginning of the end of the age began:

Accepted Answer

The historical Jesus is recorded in the New Testament as indicating that the end of the age would begin within the lifetime of his followers. This is interpreted from passages where Jesus speaks about the coming kingdom of God and events that his contemporaries would witness.

Question 5

According to Paul's letters, God's covenant with the people of Israel would last:

Accepted Answer

Throughout Paul's letters, he consistently emphasizes that God's covenant with the people of Israel is eternal and will never be broken. In Romans 11:29, he declares that "the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable," indicating that God's promises to Israel are permanent. While Israel may have temporarily rejected Jesus, Paul argues that they will eventually be reconciled with God through faith in Christ. Therefore, option B, "Forever," is the best answer.

Question 6

Did Paul teach that total sexual abstinence was necessary?

Accepted Answer

Paul did teach that celibacy was desirable for the sake of the gospel (1 Corinthians 7:7-8), but he also recognized the legitimacy of sex within marriage (1 Corinthians 7:2-5). He did not teach that total sexual abstinence was necessary for salvation or baptism, nor did he teach that sex was only for procreation purposes.

Question 7

Which literary character, after hearing Paul preach, terminated her engagement to be married and left home to follow him?

Accepted Answer

The literary character who terminated her engagement to be married and left home to follow Paul after hearing him preach was Thecla.

Question 8

What is one piece of information that Paul does not give his readers about Jesus' life?

Accepted Answer

Paul does not mention the specific miracle of Jesus turning water into wine.

Question 9

What does Paul reveal about Jesus?

Accepted Answer

Paul focuses on the theological aspects of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, emphasizing his return from heaven, rather than detailing his earthly miracles and teachings.

Question 10

What did Paul and Jesus agree on?

Accepted Answer

Both Paul and Jesus believed in monotheism and that God created a covenant with the Jewish people. This is evident in the teachings of both individuals throughout the New Testament.

Question 11

Who were the "twelve tribes in the Dispersion" in the book of James?

Accepted Answer

The "twelve tribes in the Dispersion" in the book of James likely refers to unnamed Christians living outside Palestine. This is supported by the fact that James addresses them as fellow believers and implies that they are scattered throughout the world (James 1:1-2). Additionally, many Jewish Christians were forced to flee Jerusalem and the surrounding areas due to persecution, which would have contributed to their dispersal.

Question 12

What does James mean by "faith"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does James mean by "faith"?
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Question 13

Why did the Gnostics claim Paul as their ultimate authority?

Accepted Answer

The Gnostics claimed Paul as their ultimate authority because he referred to "mysteries" in the gospel that were "hidden" and only available to those who were "mature," which was a key belief of Gnosticism. Paul's writings also emphasized the importance of spiritual knowledge and the rejection of the material world, which aligned with Gnostic teachings.

Question 14

The "Son of Man" in Paul's letters:

Accepted Answer

In Paul's letters, the "Son of Man" is primarily a reference to Jesus' role as a cosmic judge, as seen in passages such as 1 Corinthians 15:22-28 and 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10. The term is not generally associated with Jesus' birth or with the same figure taught by the historical Jesus, as it is in the Gospels.

Question 15

What term corresponds with Paul's depiction of Jesus as a sacrifice that brings atonement?

Accepted Answer

Paul's depiction of Jesus as a sacrifice that brings atonement corresponds with the term "expiation", which means the act of making amends or reparation for wrongdoing.

Question 16

Which of the following is not an option for why Paul didn't cite Jesus' words more often:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is not an...

Question 17

Which book shows that some may have interpreted Paul letters to mean that good works don't matter?

Accepted Answer

The book of James addresses the issue of faith and works, specifically challenging the idea that faith alone is enough for salvation. This suggests that some may have been interpreting Paul's letters to mean that good works don't matter.

Question 18

Which book contains the only narrative about Paul in the New Testament?

Accepted Answer

The book of Acts contains the only narrative about Paul in the New Testament, describing his conversion to Christianity and his missionary journeys. Philippians and First Thessalonians are letters written by Paul himself, while Luke is a Gospel that contains some information about Paul but not a full narrative.

Quiz 22: Does the Tradition Miscarry Paul in Relation to Jesus, James, Thecla, and Theudas