STUDY THE BIBLE COURSE
TEST 4
Bob Thiel, Editor-in-Chief
Published 2020 by the Continuing Church of God
Preface: This course is highly based upon the personal correspondence course developed in 1954 that began under the direction of the late C. Paul Meredith in the old Radio Church of God. Various portions have been updated for the 21st century (though much of the original writing has been retained). It also has more scriptural references, as well as information and questions not in the original course. Unless otherwise noted, scriptural references are to the NKJV, copyright Thomas Nelson Publishing, used by permission. The KJV, sometimes referred to as the Authorized Version is also often used. Additionally, Catholic-approved translations such as the New Jerusalem Bible (NJB) are sometimes used as are other translations.
Test 4
This examination is given to help you better understand your Bible. It is related to lessons 13 through 16 of this course.
Note that there are 81 questions and that they are numbered consecutively 1, 2, 3 etc. Note also that there are four possible answers given under each question. These are labeled A, B, C, D. ONLY ONE of these four possible answers is considered to be the RIGHT one! –the other three are false unless stated otherwise.
YOU ARE TO SELECT THE ONE RIGHT ANSWER FROM AMONG THESE FOUR POSSIBLE ANSWERS.
You are to repeat this process for each of the questions asked. This comprises your test. (Generally speaking, the incorrect answers are false ideas which are taught and believed about the subject.)
Our objective is to give all who have determination to know God’s Word the opportunity to understand the true meaning of the Bible.
By the answers you give to our examination questions, you help show if you have the desire to learn and are doing your best. We are here to aid just such people and we are thrilled to do so.
The final judge as to whether you know your Bible and are living by it will be God Himself. He is the One you had better seek to please. It is HE who is able to give you eternal life.
Your eagerness to study and to make the most of your opportunity is what really counts. The exact grade you might make is not too important to you or to us. Naturally, however, we expect a somewhat high percentage of correct answer from you.
Answer as many questions as you can without referring to the previous lessons you have studied. If you find any difficult questions, then refer to the lessons. We expect you to do so!
Notice that these questions are divided into four parts–corresponding to the four lessons. We advise you not to cover more than one lesson at a sitting. Take sufficient time to understand each questions.
Here are two EXAMPLES TO SHOW YOU HOW to answer the questions:
Read the first question of this test. The right answer to select, of course, is “C.” Here is the second example: Notice question number 2 on the next page. The correct answer is “B.” That is all there is to it! It is very simple and fast.
The procedure is always the same. Now continue with question 3 in the same manner…
LESSON 13: WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN’S INHERITANCE?
1. To retain material studied with these lessons, it is best to:
A. depend on entirely on the memory, because taking not is a waste of time.
B. just READ the scripture references given in answer to lesson questions.
C. WRITE DOWN the answers and conclusions so that they can be rapidly reviewed.
D. write down the answer only, without adding any pertinent ideas on your own.
2. We can have positive assurance of what will happen to us after death because:
A. this world’s ministers tell us the facts.
B. the Bible reveals it.
C. our parents have taught us this knowledge.
D. we can discover this vital information for ourselves.
3. Why is Abraham of important to Christians?
A. Because the promise God made to him.
B. He isn’t. He’s just an Old Testament character of no significance.
C. Only because God liked him.
D. Certainly not because he is the ‘father of the faithful’.
4. Was heaven promised to Abraham as a reward for righteousness?
A. Yes, the Bible says so.
B. We can’t be sure.
C. Only time will tell.
D. Absolutely not!
5. Has any man, aside from Christ, ever ascended into heaven where God is?
A. Yes, all the ‘good’ people who have ever lived.
B. who can tell, for the Bible does not say.
C. No one but Christ has ascended to heaven.
D. Yes, all those who had rigidly made up their minds, before they died, that they were going there.
6. Is this earth basically such an undesirable place that one could NEVER desire it as an eternal inheritance?
A. Yes.
B. No, for it is a desirable inheritance just as it is.
C. No, for it would be a very desirable inheritance if sin and the results of sin were removed form it.
D. The earth could NEVER be a desirable inheritance under any conditions.
7. Did Abraham have to be obedient before God’s promise was made certain to him?
A. He certainly did!
B. It would be unfair of God, the Creator and Sustainer, to ask that of anyone.
C. Bible records do not reveal this.
D. Obedience had nothing to do with God’s promise to Abraham.
8. Was Abraham actually promised the EARTH forever?
A. The Bible is not specific about this.
B. Yes, The Bible clearly shows that God’s original promise to Abraham EXPANDED until it includes eternal inheritance of the whole earth.
C. No, he was promised heaven.
D. We are promised the earth forever, but Abraham wasn’t.
9. Since the Christian is promised ETERNAL inheritance of the earth, does this also mean that one must have eternal life in order to receive one’s inheritance?
A. Yes, for ETERNAL inheritance obviously involves and includes everlasting life.
B. Not necessarily.
C. It would seem so, but it really isn’t true.
D. Definitely not!
10. Was the promise of everlasting inheritance made to anyone else besides Abraham?
A. No.
B. Yes, to a ‘Seed’.
C. The Bible says the promise was made to Abraham ONLY!
D. The Bible is vague on this point.
11. The word ‘Seed in Genesis 3:15 refers to:
A. Christ.
B. Jews.
C. a kind of garden seed.
D. an offspring of one of the Gentile nations.
12. What territory did God ORIGINALLY promise to Abraham?
A. An area in Russia.
B. An area in South America.
C. The area of often called Palestine.
D. An area in heaven.
13. God promised to make Abraham:
A. A seat at His right hand.
B. A gatekeeper.
C. A great nation.
D. Head of security.
14. Was part of why Jesus died to allow Christians to have eternal inheritance?
A. Of course not.
B. Yes, the Bible says it does.
C. It couldn’t possibly include that.
D. That would be too good to be true.
15. Does ETERNAL inheritance include EVERLASTING life?
A. It wouldn’t seem reasonable to think so.
B. Obviously it does.
C. Definitely not!
D. That would depend upon one’s OWN interpretation of the Bible.
16. In what manner do Abraham’s modern-day, blood-descendants – the Israelites, which include the Jews – come in on the promise of eternal inheritance?
A. Through the ‘Seed’ – Christ – by becoming a Christian.
B. Through denying that Christ is the Savior.
C. Through believing that Christ was just a good man, but nothing more.
D. Through refusing to recognize Christ as their coming Ruler.
17. Through whom do GENTILE nations of today come in on the promise of eternal inheritance?
A. They come in through a way other than that through which Abraham’s blood-descendants come into the promise.
B. They come in the same way as do Abraham’s descendants – through Christ.
C. They cannot come in on the promise.
D. The Bible does not reveal this.
18. Do we also, like Abraham, have to be obedient to inherit the promise?
A. No, for we are now under grace (cf. Ephesians 2:8-10).
B. Absolutely not! – for the law has been done away.
C. Of course not, for ‘everyone knows that no one can keep the law’, so no one can be obedient.
D. Yes, the Bible shows we do (cf. Hebrews 5:9; Acts 5:32).
19. Does something have to happen to our mortal bodies before we can inherit the Kingdom of God?
A. We are not told anything about this in the Bible.
B. Yes, our mortal bodies must be changed into SPIRIT, for “flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.”
C. No change is necessary since our ‘immortal souls’ go to heaven when we die.
D. Our mortal bodies need not be changed into spirit to inherit God’s Kingdom.
20 When Jesus returns, will it take God a long time to change our bodies from mortal flesh to immortal spirit?
A. Yes, for it is a difficult process.
B. No, it will take but a ‘moment’.
C. Since our bodies are flesh and blood, it would naturally take considerable time to change them.
D. Yes, for God does not perform miracles any more.
21. Which ONE of these four statements is RIGHT in respect to the true Christian?
A. He cannot ever receive the promise made to Abraham.
B. He does not have to be transformed – changed into spirit – to receive his promised inheritance.
C. When changed to a spirit being he will not receive the same inheritance promised to Abraham.
D. When changed to a spirit being he will receive the same inheritance promised to Abraham.
22. Has Abraham received ‘the promises’ (Hebrews 11)?
A. Yes, he received all the land.
B. Hebrews 11 does not say.
C. No.
D. He is in heaven, so yes.
23. Abraham, the man God called out of the ways of this world and to whom He gave the promise of eternal inheritance,
A. believed and obeyed God.
B. demanded many signs and wonders before he would take any steps.
C. was too much in love with the ways of this world to really want to make a change.
D. could not make up his mind about following God’s instructions.
LESSON 14: ARE HUMANS IMMORTAL?
24. The doctrine of the immortality of the soul arose from:
A. the teachings of pagans and originated with Satan.
B. the teachings of the Old Testament.
C. the writing of the apostle Paul.
D. the Protestant reformers who were the first to teach such a doctrine.
25. God formed Adam at creation:
A. out of spirit.
B. out of the dust of the ground.
C. as an immortal spiritual soul encased in a material body.
D. out of incorruptible and immortal flesh.
26. Humans are:
A. not subject to death.
B. immortal souls that continue to live on after death.
C. living souls subject to death just like the beasts of the field.
D. not like an animal in the sense that they does not die as do animals.
27. In the second century A.D., Justin (Martyr) taught:
A. There is no resurrection.
B. To follow Marcion of Pontus.
C. That the prophetic word indicates that there were three Lords in number.
D. Those who teach that when their souls die that they are taken to heaven are not Christians.
28. Which ONE of these four statements if FALSE?
A. To give the first man life, God breathed air into him.
B. The life of the flesh is the blood.
C. The soul that sins will die.
D. In addition to breathing air into the first man’s nostrils, God placed within him an ‘immortal soul’.
29. Eternal life:
A. is the gift of God, who has eternal life inherent in Himself.
B. is inherent in all humans from birth.
C. is always given to people immediately upon their ‘confessing Christ’.
D. is a fable held by those who are ‘religious’.
30. The ancient pagan Greek philosophers
A. believed life always ended at death.
B. did not have any influence on the Catholic Church.
C. quoted from the Bible as their authority.
D. used human reason to prove that man must have an immortal soul.
31. Physical science:
A. can prove that existence of immortal souls.
B. can disprove the existence of immortal souls.
C. has no tools whereby it can determine or deny the existence of spiritual things.
D. reveals all the laws concerning the spiritual world.
32. Science has proved:
A. that physically, life comes from life.
B. that the soul leaves the body at death.
C. that there can be no resurrection.
D. that man was not created, but rather evolved from warm ocean slime.
33. Which ONE of these four statements is TRUE? The famous poet, Dante Alighieri, popularized
A. scientific thinking.
B. the law of biogenesis.
C. Luther’s teachings.
D. the pagan concepts of paradise, purgatory and a non-detroying inferno.
34. Which ONE of these four statements is true?
A. Humans continue to think even after they die.
B. The Bible reveals nothing about the source of human life.
C. God cannot destroy the wicked because they have immortal souls.
D. The soul can die.
35. Which ONE of these four statements if FALSE?
A. The word ‘spirit’ in the Bible sometimes refers to the mind of man.
B. The word ‘spirit’ may also refer to God or an angel because God and angels are composed of spirit.
C. The word ‘spirit’, when referring to an attribute of humans, may mean the breath.
D. Whenever the word ‘spirit’ is used in regard to humans it means an ‘immortal soul’.
36. Are animals and humans both souls?
A. Yes, the Bible calls both humans and animals ‘souls’.
B. We cannot know because we can never be sure of what the Bible means.
C. No, because souls cannot die, but animals can die.
D. No, the Bible never calls an animal a ‘soul’.
37. Which ONE of these four statements if FALSE?
A. The Hebrew word NEPHESH, often translated ‘soul’, is also translated ‘creature’ when referring to animals.
B. A human’s mind is sometimes called a spirit because the functions of the human mind are made possible by the ‘spirit in man’.
C. The word ‘spirit’ is often translated from Hebrew or Greek words meaning ‘breath’ or ‘wind’ or ‘air’.
D. There is no need of a resurrection because man is already an ‘immortal soul’.
38. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE? In the Holy Bible:
A. the word SOUL sometimes refers to the whole human.
B. the word SOUL sometimes refers to the physical life of humans which is in the blood.
C. the word SOUL sometimes refers to a dead body.
D. the word SOUL means an ‘immortal soul’ inside of humans.
39. Both men and animals:
A. were created to be equal.
B. are breathing, mortal souls.
C. have immortal souls residing in them that continue to think after death.
D. have the hope of a resurrection.
40. What is death?
A. The cessation of life.
B. The portal through which humans pass into heaven or eternal punishing.
C. The moment when the ‘immortal soul’ of a human, separated from the body for the first time, have an independent, conscious existence in another world.
D. It is a human’s best friend.
41. The Council of Lateran in 1513 decreed that:
A. The soul is immortal and that all who deny this teaching are heretics and worthy of death.
B. the Bible is the only source by which we can determine the natural of man.
C. the soul is by nature mortal.
D. all have a legitimate right to their own beliefs.
42. The subject of death should:
A. not be studied because it is so ‘mysterious’.
B. be studied from the viewpoint of human reason.
C. be studied by comparing the various philosophies of the world with one another for the answer.
D. be studied by letting the Bible reveal just what death really is.
43. When a person dies, his/her thoughts:
A. perish.
B. thereafter are centered on the glory of God in heaven.
C. are at once devoted to the constant praise of God in heaven.
D. center about his/her past life in the flesh.
44. The fourth century Emperor Constantine:
A. was a converted Christian.
B. strove to combine sun-god worship practices into Christianity.
C. was opposed to the use of idols.
D. was a strong pacifist.
45. Which of the following was an original Christian view?
A. The unsaved go to a place of suffering until the judgment.
B. The resurrection of the body.
C. Humans are reincarnated into some form of animal to live again on the earth after death.
D. God intended that most would need to suffer eternity in the flames of Gehenna.
LESSON 15
46. Which ONE of these four statements is TRUE? The predominant view of people of the WORLD who believe in it, believe ‘hell’ to be a place:
A. where a merciful God quickly causes the wicked to cease to exist.
B. where God shows His love and mercy.
C. which has not yet come into existence.
D. where a vengeful God punishes the sinful forever with inconceivable torments.
47. IS there any such thing as a ‘hell’ mentioned in the Bible?
A. NO, the idea is a complete falsehood based only on man’s imaginings.
B. Of course not! A loving God would never allow any type of ‘hell’ to exist.
C. There might be, but there is no way to know.
D. Yes, for Christ speaks of Gehenna fire which is sometimes translated as ‘hell’.
48. From where has the world received its FALSE concept of ‘hell’?
A. From God.
B. From the pagans, who passed the idea to the ‘Western religious leaders’, who then taught it to other in the world.
C. The world didn’t receive it from anyone, for each person has thought out his own concept of eternal torment.
D. It clearly came from Pacific Islanders who knew Jesus.
49. Would a just and loving God condemn to ‘Gehenna fire’ the vast majority of all the people who ever lived and never even heard about CHRISTIAN salvation – of SAVING KNOWLEDGE?
A. Of course He would!
B. Absolutely NOT!
C. Perhaps.
D. It is reasonable to believe He would.
50. Looking at the Greek, Christ talked about a ‘Gehenna fire’ in which one of the following scriptures?
A. John 1:1.
B. Hebrews 5:2.
C. Mark 9:45.
D. Mark 10:7.
51. The original Greek word ‘hades’ means:
A. eternal torment.
B. purgatory.
C. the grave.
D. paradise.
52. Gehenna fire:
A. refers to the fire that burned in the ‘Valley of Hinnom’, which s a TYPE of the final ‘lake of fire’ that will consume all the incorrigible wicked.
B. refers to the grave where people are buried.
C. has no reference to either fire or the grave.
D. refers to a reward for doing good deeds.
53. Which ONE of these four statements is TRUE about the fate of the incorrigibly wicked?
A. God will not punish them.
B. They will be given salvation without repentance or accepting Jesus as Savior.
C. They will burn forever, but never be burnt up.
D. They will be burnt up and essentially become ashes.
54. The ‘lake of fire’ will:
A. not burn up the Beast and the False Prophet.
B. be extinguished before any person can be put into it.
C. have unrepentant sinners tossed into it.
D. has no association with brimstone (sulphur).
55. The Bible’s ‘second death’ occurs when:
A. Jesus first returns.
B. those guilty of persistent disobedience are tossed into the lake of fire.
C. anyone who has been resurrected experiences another death.
D. someone who has a ‘near death experience’ dies later.
56. When a person dies he or she:
A. immediately goes to heaven, if he or she has led a ‘good’ life.
B. immediately goes to fiery torment, if he or she has led a ‘bad’ life.
C. ceases to exist until a resurrection, regardless of the kind of life he or she led.
D. immediately goes to purgatory.
57. Which ONE of these four statements is TRUE? Most people:
A. receive final judgement the moment they die.
B. had it already, at birth, predestined to be saved or lost – they don’t need any final judgement.
C. will never be judged by God.
D. receive final judgment after they are resurrected.
58. God says that all people will be judged by:
A. His Word – the Holy Bible – which defines what sin is.
B. whether or not they played cards to entertain themselves.
C. whether or not they went to theaters.
D. how many Christmas baskets they helped to distribute.
59. Your Bible says the ‘wages of sin is’:
A. living eternally in outer darkness apart form God.
B. eternal torment in the lake of fire.
C. being destroyed forever by a worldwide flood.
D. eternal death/destruction by fire.
60. The ‘lake of fire’ will:
A. have no effect on the bodies of the wicked.
B. only char the bodies of unrepentant people.
C. be just hot enough to torment the wicked, but not burn them.
D. utterly consume the wicked so they will cease existence.
61. The ‘lake of fire’ will result in:
A. EVERLASTING fire burning in the cavernous depth of the earth.
B. God putting it out before all the incorrigible wicked are burned up.
C. this earth’s surface burning up.
D. being a place where the Devil torments the wicked for all eternity.
62. Which ONE of these four statements is TRUE?
A. The earth’s surface will only partially burn up when the wicked are destroyed.
B. God promised to never destroy this earth’s surface by fire.
C. The entire earth’s surface will burn when the unrepentant and man’s works are consumed.
D. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that the earth will burn.
63. The kindest thing God could do is
A. to give rebellious, disobedient people ETERNAL LIFE so they can eternally continue tormenting themselves and other by their ways of sin.
B. let this world continue forever in the way it is now going.
C. to blot out all humankind when Jesus Christ returns.
D. to destroy forever the life of anyone who REFUSES to live His better way of life.
64. The parable of Lazarus and the rich man proves:
A. there is to be eternal punishing of the wicked.
B. there is to be no punishment of the wicked.
C. a ‘lake of fire’ will not exist.
D. there is to be a resurrection of the righteous to eternal life.
LESSON 16
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE ‘BORN AGAIN’!
65. Eternal life is:
A. something you were born with.
B. given only to those who regularly go to a priest and give their confession.
C. given to all children at the time they are sprinkled in church.
D. a free GIFT of God unmerited by human righteousness.
66. To ‘be born again’ means:
A. to be baptized.
B. to repent of sin.
C. to accept Christ.
D. to be changed into spirit at the resurrection – to be literally born into the Family of God!
67. In the resurrection true Christians shall:
A. be made spirit and be born as the very Sons of God.
B. be as we are now – only we shall live forever.
C. basically become angels.
D. not be like Christ.
68. God will give Christians eternal life:
A. when we are BORN AGAIN at the resurrection.
B. if they practice lawlessness.
C. by creating immortal souls in us.
D. without changing our mortal bodies.
69. When we are born again,
A. we shall still be composed of flesh and blood.
B. we shall be composed of spirit.
C. we become members of the church.
D. we can still sin.
70. Which ONE of these four statements is TRUE?
A. We cannot sin when we are born of God.
B. We are immediately born again when we ‘confess Christ’.
C. We are born again when we join the church of our choice.
D. Our change from mortality to immortality does not take place at the resurrection.
71. The new birth involves:
A. a complete change in the nature and composition of humans.
B. swearing off movies, drink, and such.
C. preaching Christ on street corners.
D. doing what you think is right from henceforth.
72. We need the Holy Spirit of God:
A. because that is the only way we can ‘speak in tongues’.
B. because that is the only way we can ‘fall under the power’.
C. because the Holy Spirit makes us immediately born again.
D. because humans, born of physical parents, have no eternal life, and must receive the Holy Spirit which alone can impart it.
73. The Holy Spirit:
A. is used as the impregnating ‘germ’ of eternal life.
B. does not come from God the Father.
C. is not promised to Christians.
D. always comes with ‘pentecostal manifestations’.
74. The conditions to receiving the Holy Spirit are:
A. repent, believe and be baptized.
B. waiting in a ‘tarry meeting’ and seeking to speak tongues.
C. do not include obedience to God.
D. joining a church and taking the Lord’s Supper every Sunday morning.
75. God gives the Holy Spirit ONLY to those who:
A. perform miracles.
B. disobey Him.
C. obey Him.
D. follow their conscience and do what society thinks is right.
76. Repentance, one of the conditions to receiving the Holy Spirit, means:
A. doing penance.
B. confessing Christ before men.
C. doing what the church of your choice teaches.
D. admitting your ways are wrong, asking God to forgive you, and changing to begin a new life of obedience to God and His laws.
77. You can know the difference between the HOLY SPIRIT and any COUNTERFEIT spirit by:
A. whether or not one speaks in tongues.
B. whether or not one prophesies.
C. the fruits – such as, whether one is obedient or disobedient to the commandments of God.
D. no known means – we just have to accept each spirit as it comes along!
78. The fruits of the Spirit of God are:
A. singing and dancing and shouting ‘in the spirit’!
B. love, joy, peace, patience, etc.
C. idolatry, failing to tithe, sabbath-breaking, etc.
D. joining a church and helping to make this a better world through worldly organizations.
79. When a human being receives the Holy Spirit, he or she:
A. feels the Spirit.
B. hears the Spirit.
C. cannot have the emotional experience of joy and happiness.
D. is begotten of God the Father.
80. Are Christians now only begotten, or are they already ‘born’ of God?
A. Neither. God cannot reproduce children.
B. Christians are now already born of God.
C. Christians are now already both begotten and born again. There is no difference.
D. They are not yet born of God. True Christians are now only the begotten children of God, awaiting the resurrection when they shall be born again, this time of spirit.
81. According to the Bible,
A. anyone who is now begotten of God cannot sin.
B. those who have received the Holy Spirit now are absolutely perfect.
C. we can have the mind of God is we receive the Holy Spirit.
D. spirit is not eternal.
Now That You’ve Finished …
FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
Keep this question section. File it in your notebook at the end of the Lessons it covers. Review these questions now and then. Why? Because the review will give you the opportunity to impress the true answers more firmly upon your mind.
Also, a review of the three false answers, given here for each question will aid you to realize more clearly some of the false ideas which you may have taken for granted. You will thereby grasp and retain the truth much better when it is presented to you.
ANSWERS TO TEST 4:
1-C
2-B
3-A
4-D
5-C
6-C
7-A
8-B
9-A
10-B
11-A
12-C
13-C
14-B
15-B
16-A
17-B
18-D
19-B
20-B
21-D
22-C
23-A
24-A
25-B
26-C
27-D
28-D
29-A
30-D
31-C
32-A
33-D
34-D
35-D
36-A
37-D
38-D
39-B
40-A
41-A
42-D
43-A
44-B
45-B
46-D
47-D
48-B
49-B
50-C
51-C
52-A
53-D
54-C
55-B
56-C
57-D
58-A
59-D
60-D
61-C
62-C
63-D
64-D
65-D
66-D
67-A
68-A
69-B
70-A
71-A
72-D
73-A
74-A
75-C
76-D
77-C
78-B
79-D
80-D
81-C
Grade Yourself:
Simply count the number of questions you missed. Your grade percentage will be next to that number below:
1-99
2-97
3-96
4-95
5-94
6-92
7-91
8-90
9-89
10-87
11-86
12-85
13-84
14-82
15-81
16-80
17-78
18-77
19-76
20-75
21-73
22-72
23-71
24-70