Match These New Testament Characters -- #18 Quiz

Answer: Hair cut off at Cenchreae

Acts 18:18 tells of Paul sailing for Syria with Priscilla and Aquila, but before he departed he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken.

Notes in the NKJV Study Bible sum up things this way: "Paul had his hair cut off as part of a Nazrite vow he had made (see Numbers 6). Such a vow had to be fulfilled in Jerusalem, where the hair would be presented to God. Vows were made in either gratitude for God's blessing (like Paul's safekeeping in Corinth) or as part of a petition for future blessing. The vow involved abstinence from drinking wine and a commitment not to cut one's hair for a period of time. At the end of this set period, the hair was cut and then burned along with other sacrifices as a symbol of offering oneself to God. Paul redirected his entire travel schedule because he wanted to get to Jerusalem in time to make this vow."

Answer: 'I am the Vine'

In John 15:5, Jesus uses the word 'vine' to describe Himself. The verse, in the NKJV Bible, states: "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." The first verse of the chapter also begins with this statement from Jesus: "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser."

Notes in the NKJV Study Bible state the word 'true' in the first verse is emphatic. And notes in the NIV Study Bible state 'the vine' is frequently used in the Old Testament as a symbol of Israel, e.g. Psalm 80:8-16; Isaiah 5:1-7 and Jeremiah 2:21.

Answer: Second martyr

James, the brother of John and the son of Zebedee, was the second martyr in the early church with Stephen being the first. While the execution of Stephen rates almost two chapters in Acts, a simple line tells of the death of James. Acts 12:2 tells of King Herod having James put to death by the sword, a term meaning he was beheaded. Verse 3 goes on to state that Herod had Peter arrested when he saw people were pleased with the execution of James. Peter, however, would avoid execution when he made a miraculous escape from prison, as per Acts 12:1-19.

Answer: Camel hair

According to Scripture, John the Baptist wore clothes made of camel hair and a leather belt and his diet consisted largely of locusts and wild honey. Matthew 3:4 and Mark 1:6 provide these highly unusual details about John, regarded by some as the last of the Old Testament prophets. John's purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus, whom he described as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). In addition to his unusual dress, John never seemed to be at a loss for words when it came to the Pharisees and the Sadducees. In Matthew 3:7, for example, he called them a "brood of vipers."

Many Christians regard John the Baptist as the last of the Old Testament prophets because he told the people to prepare for the arrival of the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world", as per John 12:29. In the NKJV Bible, in Mark 1:1-5, John is introduced this way: "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You. The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight'. John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins."

Answer: Elizabeth

According to Scripture, Zecharias and his wife Elizabeth were the parents of John the Baptist. Scripture states Zecharias was a priest who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah and Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron, as per Luke 1:5. Luke 1:11-25 tells of the angel Gabriel appearing before Zecharias and telling him of the upcoming birth of their son.

When Zechariah doubted Gabriel's claims, he was rendered speechless as per Luke 1:20. After the baby was born, Zecharias wrote on a tablet that the infant was to be called John and, according to verse 64, "immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God."

Answer: Lawyer opposing Paul

According to Scripture, Tertullas was the opposition lawyer at a trial in which Paul was accused of sedition, as per Acts. 24.

Verses 1 and 2 state: "Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul. And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation..."

The trial took place before Felix. Paul appeared to be scoring major points in the trial. Acts 24:25, in the NIV Bible states things this way: "As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, 'That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.'"

It was all for naught, however, as Acts 24:27 states Felix wanted to grant a "favor to the Jews" and left Paul in prison for two more years.

Answer: Father healed by Paul

According to Acts 28:7, Publius was the chief official of Malta and he welcomed Paul and his group into his home after they were shipwrecked and entertained them for three days. Acts 28:8 states the chief official's father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery, and Paul healed him after praying and placing his hands on him.

Answer: Patmos

Revelation 1:9 states John was in exile on Patmos when the last book of the Bible was written. Verse 9 states: "I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus." What follows this verse is Scripture that has captivated and perplexed Christians for centuries. Patmos is in the Aegean Sea and is part of Greece.

Answer: Tarsus

Paul, also known as Saul, came from Tarsus, a city in present-day Turkey. In much of the 22nd chapter of Acts, Paul tells of his life before he became a Christian and after he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. Tarsus is in present-day south-central Turkey.

In some circles today, the apostle to the Gentiles is known as 'Paul of Tarsus,' however, nowhere in the NKJV or NIV Bible does it state Paul referred to himself as "Paul of Tarsus". In Acts 21:39, while addressing a crowd in Jerusalem, he states "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city." In Acts 22:3, Paul makes much the same statement. However, a drama by George Barber Paley in 1855 titled "Saul of Tarsus" changed things somewhat, with his birthplace being linked to his name. There's also a popular song titled "Saul of Tarsus" as well.

Answer: Mount Transfiguration

The events on Mount Transfiguration are recorded in the seventeenth chapter of Matthew, the ninth chapter of Mark and the ninth chapter of Luke. According to Scripture, Peter, James and John were with Jesus when Elijah and Moses appeared in their midst.

Matthew 17:1-8, in the NKJV Bible, states: "Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!' And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, 'Arise, and do not be afraid.' When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only."