Biblical Firsts -- Do You Have a Second? Quiz

Answer: Rebekah

The correct answer is Rebekah. Genesis 24:65 states Rebekah covered herself with a veil when she met Isaac.

Genesis 24:64-65 in the NKJV Bible states explains things this way: "Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel; for she had said to the servant, 'Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?' The servant said, 'It is my master.' So she took a veil and covered herself."

Isaac and Rebekah would go to become husband and wife and they would be the parents of twins -- Esau and Jacob. (Genesis 25:25-26)

Answer: Othniel

Othniel was the first judge of Israel. He was the younger brother of Caleb and his father was Kenash. His wife was Achsah. Othniel served for 40 years after overthrowing Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia; or Aram Naharaim in the NIV Bible.

Judges 3:10-11, in the NKJV Bible, states: "The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the Lord delivered Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed over Cushan-Rishathaim. So the land had rest for forty years. Then Othniel the son of Kenaz died."

Answer: Saul

Saul was the first king of Israel. His reign was initially marked with military victories over other armies, but before long he would become bogged down with an insatiable desire to kill David. He ended up seeking occult advice and Scripture indicates his doom was sealed as a result.

It's interesting to note Saul didn't want the position of king in the first place. According to 1 Samuel 10:22, he was attempting to hide among some baggage before he was found and brought out by the people to be proclaimed as their king.

The story ends in 1 Samuel 31:1-13 with Saul committing suicide.

Answer: Enoch

The first city mentioned in Scripture is Enoch. According to the fourth chapter of Genesis, Cain constructed the city after he went into exile after he murdered his brother Abel. According to Scripture, Cain called the city Enoch after his son.

Genesis 4:17 in the NIV explains things this way: "Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch."

Answer: The Pharaoh

The first report of a birthday party in Scripture involves a celebration by the Pharaoh.

According to Genesis 40:20-22, the chief cupbearer was restored to his position and the chief baker was hanged on the third day of the Pharaoh's birthday celebration. The fates of the cupbearer and the baker were accurately predicted by Joseph who was imprisoned with the two men. Joseph, of course, was able to predict the fates of the two men when he interpreted their dreams.

Genesis 40:20-22, in the NIV Bible, states: "Now the third day was Pharaoh's birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh's hand -- but he impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation."

Later, Joseph would be called upon to interpret the Pharaoh's dreams. The Pharaoh ended up being so impressed with Joseph's interpretations that he made him the second-most powerful man in Egypt.

Answer: Lamech

The world's first polygamist, according to Scripture, was Lamech. Genesis 4:19 states he was married to Adah and Zillah. Scripture states Adah gave birth to Jabal, "the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock" and Jubal, "the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes." Scripture goes on to state Zillah was the mother of a son, Tubal-Cain, "who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron", as well as a daughter, Naamah.

Incidentally, Naamah is the first naturally-born female to have her birth mentioned in Scripture. No account is given regarding the births of Adah or Zillah, and Eve, according to Scripture, was created by God and did not have a natural birth.

Answer: Antioch

Members of the early church were first called Christians at Antioch, as per Acts 11:26. Previously, people who believed in a resurrected Jesus Christ referred to themselves as 'The Way'. According to notes in the NKJV Bible, the term Christian was originally used to ridicule believers. Later, however, members of the early church would begin to refer to themselves as Christians. Antioch was situated near Antakya, in present day Turkey.

Acts 11:25-26, in the NIV Bible, reports: "Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."

Answer: Turning water into wine

The first miracle performed by Jesus was turning water into wine, as per the second chapter of John. Verses 7 and 8 in the second chapter of John tell of Jesus instructing people to fill a number of jars with water and then to draw some out and give a sample to the master of the banquet.

After tasting the liquid, the master expressed surprise at how fine the wine is. In verse 10, the master complimented the bridegroom, stating "everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." According to the Thompson Chain-Reference Study Bible, Cana was west of the Sea of Galilee and about 10 miles north of Nazareth.

Answer: Paul and Barnabas

Paul and Barnabas were the first foreign missionaries, as per the thirteenth chapter of Acts. According to Acts 13:3, Barnabas and Saul, who would later become known as Paul, were in Antioch when the Holy Spirit provided direction to believers. According to Scripture, they also had John, also known as John Mark, as their assistant for the first missionary journey.

Acts 13:4 in the NKJV explains things this way: "So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they [Paul and Barnabas] went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant."

Answer: Stephen

Stephen is the correct answer. His so-called trial in front of the Sanhedrin and his execution by stoning is reported in the sixth and seventh chapters of Acts. According to Acts 7:59-60, in the NKJV Bible, while they were stoning Stephen, he "cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do not charge them with this sin.'"

The statement "do not charge them with this sin" echoes closely what Jesus said when He was being crucified. Luke 23:34 quotes Jesus as saying, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."

Incidentally, according to Acts 8:1, Stephen's execution was overseen by Saul, who would later become known as Paul and serve as the main apostle to the Gentiles.