New Testament Letters Quiz

1. The book of Hebrews argues that Jesus is superior to many figures and institutions of the Old Testament. Which role does it most extensively argue Jesus fulfils better than anyone before Him?

1. Angel — the greatest of all heavenly beings
2. High Priest — a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek
3. King — greater than David and Solomon
4. Prophet — greater than Moses and all the prophets

2. The book of James is famous for its teaching on faith and works. James 2:26 states that faith without works is like what?

1. A body without a spirit — it is dead
2. A lamp with no oil
3. A vine that produces no fruit
4. Salt that has lost its saltiness

3. 1 Peter was written to encourage Christians experiencing suffering. How does Peter describe believers in 1 Peter 2:9?

1. A chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession
2. Children of God who have received the spirit of adoption
3. Saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ
4. Soldiers of Christ, equipped with the full armour of God

4. The book of 1 John was written to combat an early heresy. What false teaching was John addressing?

1. That believers needed to be circumcised to be saved
2. That Jesus was only divine and not truly human (Docetism / proto-Gnosticism)
3. That the Holy Spirit had already been poured out finally and completely
4. That the resurrection had already occurred spiritually

5. The letter of Jude warns against false teachers by citing three Old Testament examples of divine judgment. Which of the following is NOT one of Jude's three examples?

1. Jonah who fled from God and was swallowed by the great fish
2. Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns who gave themselves up to sexual immorality
3. The angels who did not keep their positions but abandoned their proper dwelling
4. The Israelites who did not believe after being brought out of Egypt and were destroyed in the wilderness

6. Hebrews 11 is known as the 'Faith Chapter' or 'Hall of Faith.' How does Hebrews define faith at the start of the chapter?

1. Faith is complete trust in God's promises even when circumstances seem impossible
2. Faith is confidence in the power of God to accomplish all He has promised
3. Faith is obedience to God's commands regardless of personal cost
4. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

7. James gives practical teaching on controlling the tongue. What does he compare the tongue to in James 3?

1. A fire and a small rudder that steers a large ship
2. A river that can bring life or destroy everything in its path
3. A seed that grows into a tree — it produces fruit according to its nature
4. A sword that can wound or a medicine that can heal

8. 2 Peter 3 addresses scoffers who mock the promise of Jesus's return. What explanation does Peter give for why Christ has not yet returned?

1. God is waiting for all nations to hear the gospel first
2. God's timetable operates differently from human expectations — a thousand years is like a day
3. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, but is patient, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance
4. The return is delayed because of the prayers of the saints who ask for more time

9. The letter of James opens with unusual advice about a difficult experience. What does James say believers should do when they face trials?

1. Consider it pure joy, because the testing of faith produces perseverance
2. Fast and pray until God reveals the purpose of the trial
3. Pray for deliverance and trust that God will remove all suffering
4. Remember that God does not allow more suffering than a person can bear

10. 1 John contains the most direct statement about God's essential nature in all of Scripture. What is it?

1. God is a consuming fire — it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God
2. God is holy, holy, holy — the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory
3. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them
4. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth

11. Hebrews 12:1 describes believers as surrounded by 'a great cloud of witnesses.' What does the author urge believers to do in light of this?

1. Pray for those who have gone before, that they may receive their full reward
2. Remember the suffering of those who came before and be grateful for their own easier circumstances
3. Stand firm in faith, knowing that the witnesses are interceding for them in heaven
4. Throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and run with perseverance the race marked out

12. The book of James addresses a problem of favouritism in the early church. What example does he give?

1. Jewish believers considered more honourable than Gentile believers
2. Leaders receiving larger portions of food than ordinary members
3. Older members having their prayers heard over younger members
4. Rich people given the best seats while poor people are told to stand or sit on the floor

13. Jude quotes from two books not in the Protestant Old Testament canon. Which two are they?

1. The Book of Enoch and the Assumption of Moses
2. The Book of Enoch and the Book of Jubilees
3. The Book of Jubilees and 1 Esdras
4. The Wisdom of Solomon and the Book of Baruch

14. What is the shortest letter in the New Testament?

1. 2 John
2. 3 John
3. Jude
4. Philemon

15. 1 Peter 3:15 contains a famous verse about Christian apologetics. What does it instruct believers to always be ready to do?

1. Give the reason for the hope that they have, with gentleness and respect
2. Pray for those who persecute them and do good to those who hate them
3. Preach the gospel in season and out of season, whether or not it is convenient
4. Stand firm in the faith and resist the devil, who prowls like a roaring lion

16. Hebrews 4:12 contains one of the most striking descriptions of the Bible itself. What does it say?

1. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
2. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away
3. The word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates to dividing soul and spirit
4. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path

17. James 5:14-15 gives instructions for healing of the sick in the church. What are believers instructed to do?

1. Call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord
2. Confess any known sin that might be causing the illness, then pray for healing
3. Fast and pray together until God heals the sick person
4. Lay hands on the sick person and command healing in Jesus's name

18. 2 Peter warns that false prophets will arise. How does Peter say they can be identified?

1. They will deny the resurrection of the body
2. They will refuse to acknowledge Jesus as Lord
3. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, exploiting believers with fabricated stories; their conduct will be shameful and greedy
4. They will teach that the law of Moses is still binding on all Christians

19. The phrase 'God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble' appears in both James and 1 Peter. Where is it originally from?

1. Deuteronomy 28:1
2. Isaiah 57:15
3. Proverbs 3:34
4. Psalm 138

20. What is the 'new commandment' that Jesus gives in John 13, which John's letters then develop extensively?

1. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them and teaching them
2. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength
3. Love one another — as I have loved you, so you must love one another
4. Pray for those who persecute you and do good to those who hate you