An 'Alex Trebek' New Testament Quiz -- #18

Answer: Who are James, John, Peter and Andrew?

Going strictly by Scripture, James, John, Peter and Andrew are the four disciples who were fishermen. It is possible other members of the original Twelve Disciples were fishermen as well, but there is no documentation in the Gospels. Philip, for example, came from Bethsaida, a fishing community which was the home of Peter and Andrew. Scripture tells of Andrew leading Philip to a meeting with Jesus in the early days of Christ's ministry, indicating Andrew and Philip were friends.

Despite these facts, no one can state with any certainty Philip was a fisherman as well.

Answer: What is 0?

Going strictly by Scripture, John the Baptist was an only child. In fact, he was a 'miracle baby' as his elderly parents Zecharias and Elizabeth had been unable to conceive. Things changed dramatically, however, when the angel Gabriel visited Zecharias and announced he would become the father of a boy who would be called John. There is no mention in the Gospels of a second miracle baby for the couple.

(In the NIV, Zecharias is known as Zechariah.)

Answer: What is John?

The Gospel of John is the only one to tell of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding feast in Cana. The miracle was the first in a series of many performed by Christ. For details about the miracle, see John 2:1-11.

Answer: Who is Ananias?

After Paul had his dramatic encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, he stayed at the home of Judas on Straight Street. It was three days later Paul was visited by Ananias, who had been commanded by God to do so. Acts 9:1-19 tells of Ananias laying his hands on Paul, who was known as Saul at the time, and scales fell from his eyes and he was able to see. According to the passage, Paul had been blinded by a brilliant light when he encountered Jesus on the road.

Answer: Who is Fortunatus?

Fortunatus is one of a number of workers in the early church, but little is known about him as he is mentioned in only 1 Corinthians 16:17. The verse, written by Paul, states in the NKJV: "I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied."

There is no way of knowing for certain, but some people believe Fortunatus, Stephanus and Achaicus were the ones who confirmed to Paul concerns expressed by members of Chloe's household in 1 Corinthians 1:11. The verse tells of sharp divisions among believers in the early church in Corinth.

It is interesting to note that in 1 Corinthians 7:1, Paul writes about receiving a letter from people connected with the early church in Corinth. According to notes in the NKJV Study Bible, the letter was likely delivered to Paul by Fortunatus, Stephanus and Achaicus.

Answer: Who is His mother?

Before He died on the cross of Calvary, Jesus asked John, one of the original Twelve Disciples, to take care of His mother Mary. Details appear in John 19:25-27.

The three verses read this way in the NKJV: "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, 'Woman, behold your son!' Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold your mother!' And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home."

Christian tradition maintains the disciple Jesus loved was John. It is believed John did not want to appear boastful when he wrote the Gospel that bears his name. In other words, John didn't want his name appearing in his Gospel and he used the term 'the disciple Jesus loved' when referring to himself.

Answer: Who is Joseph, also known as Barsabbas and Justus?

Joseph, who was also known as Barsabas and Justus, was in the running to replace Judas Iscariot as one of the Twelve Disciples, as per Acts 1:12-26. Judas had hanged himself after being filled with remorse about his betrayal of Jesus. The passage tells of Joseph and Matthias being nominated for the position and after the matter was prayed about and lots drawn, Matthias was selected.

Answer: What is more than 1,000 times?

Using the NKJV, the name Jesus can be found no less than 1,042 times in the New Testament. The name Jesus is also found more than 1,300 times in the NIV and almost 950 times in the KJV.

The name appears multiple times in twenty-six of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament. Interestingly, 3 John is the only book that does not contain the name Jesus when using the NKJV. The title Christ is also not found in 3 John using the NKJV. However, God is mentioned in three different instances in the book that consists of only one chapter.

Answer: What is 1 John?

Using Bible versions such as the KJV, NKJV and NIV, the words "little children" can be found nine different times in 1 John. It is believed John was elderly when he wrote 1 John and the aged apostle used fatherly concern to make his points.

For example, in 1 John 2:28 in the NKJV, John writes: "And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming."

Answer: What is Philemon?

Out of the thirteen books Paul is credited with writing, Philemon appears last in Bible versions such as the KJV, NKJV and NIV. The book is actually a heartfelt letter from Paul to Philemon, urging him to accept back his runaway slave Onesimus as an equal in Christ.